Nailers Defeat Cyclones, 6-2

WHEELING, West Virginia – The Wheeling Nailers (29-16-0-2) scored a trio of goals in the first period and never looked back as they defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones (19-19-6-2) by a 6-2 final score in front of 4,046 at WesBanco Arena on Saturday night.

For just the second time this season, the opposition jumped out to a 3-0 lead; Doug Rogers netted the game’s first goal at the 5:56 mark when his wrist shot from just inside the Cincinnati blue line fooled goalie Marc Cheverie (L, 18 saves, 13-9-3-2) and beat him for a 1-0 Nailers lead.  Mikael Bedard then followed with a pair of goals at 9:18 and 13:25, the second of which on the power play, to give Wheeling a commanding 3-0 lead midway through the first period.  Luckily, Dustin Sproat answered back for the Cyclones at the 17:49 mark to pull his team within a pair of goals after the opening stanza.

The Nailers regained their three-goal cushion not even two minutes into the second period when David Marshall wristed home his ninth goal of the year over Cheverie’s stick side shoulder, making it 4-1 Wheeling.  Despite a power play for the Cyclones and a handful of scoring chances, Nailers goalie Peter Delmas (W, 28 saves, 8-0-0) kept Cincinnati off the scoreboard in the middle frame to preserve a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes.

Early in the third, Marshall once again found the net to cap off a four-point night and push the Nailers ahead 5-1.  Cyclones rookie Sam D’Agostino banged home a rebound at 9:07 to give Cincinnati a fighting shot.  However, Dan Henningson snuck into the slot and sent home another Nailers goal at 17:48 to seal the 6-2 victory.

The Cyclones Radio Network Three Stars of the Game are as follows:
1.    Doug Rogers (1 goal, 3 assists for Wheeling)
2.    Peter Delmas (27 saves, winning goaltender)
3.    David Marshall (2 goals, 2 assists for Wheeling)
    
The defending Kelly Cup Champions will return to U.S. Bank Arena next Wednesday, February 9, when they reunite with the Florida Everblades at 7:30pm.  It will be another Wet Wednesday with $1 PBR and Miller High Life flowing all night long.  Discounted ticket packages and single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are available now.  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.

Click here for tonight's box score.