The Wheeling Nailers not only came back home to WesBanco Arena trailing 2-0 in their first-round playoff series against the Norfolk Admirals, but they were starving for a goal after back-to-back shutouts.
On Wednesday, the Nailers snapped the Admirals’ shutout streak, but one goal wasn’t enough as Wheeling is now on the verge of being eliminated following a 5-1 loss.
Your Guide To Ex-Penguins In The 2025 NHL PlayoffsThe Pittsburgh Penguins may not be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.
Neither team scored in the first period before Denis Smirnov put Norfolk on the board at 8:49. Shortly after, Sean Montgomery extended the lead to 2-0 at 11:11. Finally, Nailers’ Matt Koopman tallied his team’s first of the series at 15:16 on a shorthanded breakaway.
🚨 THE SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN 🚨
Matt Koopman ends the Nailers offensive drought with a shorthanded goal to make it a 2-1 game!
🚨 Matt Koopman
🍎 Matthew Quercia #ForTheMomentpic.twitter.com/yYb6WBwYEp— x – Wheeling Nailers (@WheelingNailers) April 24, 2025
However, Ryan Chyzowski restored the Admirals’ two-goal lead with a late tally at 17:37. Despite having an advantage on shots, 21-16, the Nailers gave up three second-period goals on only ten shots.
Meanwhile, Norfolk secured their third win with two goals in the third period on just six shots. First, Colton Young scored at 7:00 before Bryce Brodzinski sealed the deal with a lamplighter at 18:57.
Only Chyzowski (goal, two assists) and Crone (two assists) had multiple points on Wednesday, with 12 players finding their way on the scoresheet. Between the pipes, Thomas Milic earned his third win, giving up his first goal of the series to see his save percentage (SV%) drop to .989 through nine periods. He’s stopped 98 out of 99 shots.
Unfortunately, Sergei Murashov has continued his struggles in the net for the Nailers, making 17 saves on 21 shots for a .809 save percentage. Overall, in the series, he has surrendered 11 goals and made only 66 saves on 77 shots, resulting in a save percentage of .857.
Wheeling will look to avoid elimination in Game 4, which takes place Friday night with puck drop scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
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