ECHL Game Recap: Wheeling Nailers vs Cincinnati Cyclones l 11/29/2024

The Cincinnati Cyclones debuted their Peanuts jerseys as they faced the Wheeling Nailers on Black Friday in a matinee matchup between two former Central Division rivals. On Wednesday night, the Cyclones secured their second win of the season, defeating the Kalamazoo Wings 5-0, which improved their record to 2-8-3. Meanwhile, the Wheeling Nailers also won on Wednesday, beating the Toledo Walleye 4-1 and enhancing their record to 10-3-1, placing them at the top of the North Division standings with two fewer games played than the Norfolk Admirals, who are in second place. Vyacheslav Peksa started in goal for the Cyclones, while Luke Richardson made his first start of the season for the Nailers.

First Period:

It was back-and-forth starting period one from both teams as they took turns pressing in each other’s offensive zones. Just under eight minutes into the first period, Cole Cameron of Wheeling took an undisciplined roughing minor penalty, giving the Cyclones a power play opportunity. Despite the Cyclones hitting the crossbar during the man advantage, the Nailers escaped with the game tied at 0-0. A few minutes after the power play ended, Tristan Ashbrook of Cincinnati stole a pass, breaking out to a 2-on-1 rush. He then wristed the puck past Richardson, scoring his third goal of the season and giving the Cyclones an early 1-0 lead.

With just over three minutes remaining in the first period, Rhett Parsons and Matthew Quercia dropped the gloves and fought at center ice before heading back to their dressing rooms early.

Peska continued to make key saves toward the end of the period, which ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of Cincinnati. The Cyclones also led in shots, 7-5.

Second Period:

The Nailers came out strong in the middle frame, applying pressure and playing aggressively in the offensive zone. Just over five minutes into the second period, Matthew Boudens was penalized for hooking, allowing Gabe Klassen to score on a one-timer, leveling the game at 1-1 with a power-play goal. Boudens was penalized again later in the period, this time for tripping, which led to another power-play conversion for the Nailers. Matthew Quercia found a loose puck and scored, giving Wheeling a 2-1 lead halfway through regulation. Only two minutes later, the Nailers extended their lead to 3-1 with a goal tipped in by Chris Ortiz, leading Cyclones Head Coach Jason Payne to call an early timeout.

It was a rough second period for Cincinnati, as they took another penalty when Mathieu Gosselin was sent to the box for high-sticking. Fortunately for them, the penalty-killing unit managed to successfully kill this one off. However, the trips to the penalty box continued, with Tristan Ashbrook getting called for high-sticking with just two minutes left in the second period. This penalty carried over into the final frame. The second period ended with the Nailers leading 3-1.

Third Period:

Midway through the final period, Gabe Klassen scored his second goal of the game, putting one in the top right corner against Peksa and giving Wheeling a 4-1 lead. Matthew Boudens received his third penalty of the game for delay of game, effectively ending Cincinnati’s chances of a comeback. To seal the defeat, Kyle Jackson scored on the power play—his sixth goal of the season—extending the lead to 5-1. The game concluded with a final score of 5-1, as the Nailers improved their record to 11-3-1 and goaltender Luke Richardson earned his first win of the season.

The Cyclones came out hot against the Nailers in the first period but could not sustain it through the rest of the game. A second-period meltdown, giving up three unanswered goals, two of which were on the man advantage, was disappointing. You have to give Wheeling credit for outworking the Cyclones in the second and third periods, but it is extremely hard to win hockey games when you take five penalties. A 2-9-3 record is atrocious, and continuing to fall in the standings places them in an even deeper hole, one that they won’t be able to dig out of if they don’t turn this around. Their next chance will come tomorrow night on the road against the Nailers, which will be their third matchup this season, with Wheeling leading the season series 2-0.

Three Stars of the Game:

1) Gabe Klassen – 2 Goals, 1 Assist
2) Jordan Martel – 3 Assists
3) Kyle Jackson – 1 Goal, 1 Assist

Cincinnati Team Stats:

20 Shots
0/2 PP
2/5 PK

Wheeling Team Stats:

20 Shots
3/5 PP
2/2 PK