WHEELING , West Virginia – On the strength of six second period goals, the Wheeling Nailers (1-1 preseason) defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-1 preseason) by a 9-4 final score in front of 1,615 at WesBanco Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Cyclones took their only lead of the game in the opening period when Blake Gallagher beat Wheeling net minder Scott Darling (W, 13 saves, 1-0 preseason) at the 16:37 mark, making it 1-0 Cincinnati. However, in the middle stanza, the Nailers exploded for six goals to give the home team a 6-1 lead through 40 minutes.
In the third period, the teams traded three goals apiece; Alex Penner, Gallagher, and Kenny Bradford all tallied for the Cyclones while Wheeling’s Fergus, Zack Torquato, and Ryan Maunu lit the lamp to give the Nailers a 9-4 win in the preseason finale.
The Cyclones went 0-for-4 on the power play; Wheeling was 3-for-6.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Cam Fergus (2 goals, 1 assist for Wheeling)
Second Star: Jordy Trottier (2 assists for Wheeling)
Third Star: Paul Crowder (4 assists for Wheeling)
