CHARLESTON, SC – Kyle Bushee’s goal 7:03 into overtime sealed a 2-1 victory for the Wheeling Nailers over the South Carolina Stingrays in game two of the Quarterfinal matchup at the North Charleston Coliseum Wednesday evening. The win was the second overtime win in as many nights, giving the Nailers 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Just 24 hours after scoring on their opening power play opportunity in Tuesday’s game, the Nailers mirrored that feat in game two. Doug Rogers fired a shot on goal off the pads of goaltender Todd Ford. The puck flipped back to the left wing circle, and Paul Crowder blasted it into the net off the rebound to give Wheeling the 1-0 lead.
The Nailers took that lead into the second, and generated several more quality scoring opportunities. Tyler Murovich took a feed at the top of the crease, but Ford came up with a clutch save to rob the Nailers forward of goal. On the ensuing rush up the ice, rookie Sean Dolan broke into the zone and fired a wrist shot from the right wing circle. The puck found a hole between the shortside post and the glove of Wheeling netminder Peter Delmas to tie the game at one at 14:40 of the second. Both teams went into the second break tied at one. Dolan’s goal was the first of his career.
The third period brought great pace, and several scoring chances again. However, neither team would give an inch in the final stanza sending the game to overtime for the second consecutive night.
Wheeling was able to kill off an early penalty in the extra session, setting the stage for its own power play opportunity. Tim Crowder was tripped down to the ice in the slot, and the puck rolled to the point. Kyle Bushee picked up the puck and blasted a slapshot past Ford for the overtime winner, to give Wheeling the 2-1 win and a 2-0 lead in the series.
The two teams meet again Friday night for game three of the series at WesBanco Arena. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m.
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