CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Wheeling Nailers (6-2-0-0) used a five-goal third period to spoil the Cincinnati Cyclones (1-3-1-1) home opener by a 7-3 count in front of 6,160 at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday night.

For the fifth time in six games, the opposition found the net first as just 2:25 into the period David Marshall netted his sixth goal of the season to give the Nailers a 1-0 lead.  Cincinnati was able to tie it, though, when Scott Reynolds pushed home a loose puck past Wheeling goalie Patrick Killeen (W, 24 saves, 5-0-0) at 18:01 to knot the score at one through 20 minutes.

The teams traded goals in the middle frame as well; the Cyclones got their first lead as T.J. Fast blasted home his third power play marker of the season, giving Cincinnati a 2-1 advantage.  However, just as the Cyclones tied it up late in the first, Wheeling tied things up late in the second as Nick Petersen netted the equalizer past Cincinnati netminder Marc Cheverie (L, 18 saves, 1-2-0-1) at 19:31 to even the score at two going into the third period.

Unfortunately, the final frame of regulation turned out to be Cincinnati’s undoing.  Just 1:29 into the final frame, Petersen found the net again giving Wheeling the lead for good.  Sebastian Bisaillon added an insurance marker at 7:46 to give the Nailers a 4-2 advantage.  The Cyclones began to climb back when Scott Lehman streaked down the wing and stashed a beautiful power play goal past Killeen to cut the Wheeling lead to 4-3.   The Nailers, however, would answer right back.  Petersen completed a hat trick with a shot that just snuck across the Cincinnati goal line to regain a two-goal cushion.  He would strike again not even four minutes later, at 15:10, to put the game well out of reach at 6-3.  Petersen became the second opposing player this season to net four goals in a game against the Cyclones (Elmira’s Michael Dubuc did the same thing on 10/15).  Alexander Smigelski capped off the scoring with a rare penalty shot goal at 18:43, making it 7-3 Nailers.  They won it by the same score.

Cincinnati struggled again on specialty teams.  They were just 2-for-8 with the man advantage while Wheeling had a solid 4-for-7 night in that department.

The Cyclones are back on home ice this Tuesday night, November 2, when they host the Elmira Jackals at 7:30pm.  It will be the first “Big Beer Tuesday” of this season as fans can purchase 24-ounce Labatt Blue for only $2.    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.

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