On Wednesday January 6th, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hosted the Wheeling Nailers, but ultimately fell to them 5-4 in overtime.
Opening the scoring was Matt Wedman, as the forward struck just seven minutes in, this putting the Swamp Rabbits up ahead 1-0. Within the next 10 minutes of the period, the Nailers gained a 2-1 lead with goals from Cody Sylvester and then winger Lawton Courtnall.
Moving along to the second, things started off quickly just three minutes in. That saw winger Joey Haddad break off Wheeling’s lead, tying the game up at two. That didn’t faze the Nailers, as Ryan Scarfo put one in minutes later, this allowing Wheeling to go back up 3-2. Before the frame came to an end, Greenville winger Max Zimmer got a shot past Shane Barrett, this once again evening the score with the Nailers.
Entering the game’s final frame, defensemen Ryan Zuhlsdorf lit the lamp for the Swamp Rabbits, this giving them the lead over Wheeling, 4-3. However, the Nailers weren’t held back for long, as 30 seconds later, Sean Josling would bank one, this knotting the score and forcing three-on-three overtime.
As the extra frame got underway, Greenville was quickly called for two penalties, this allowing the Nailers a much-needed advantage. Able to do just that on the power play, forward Matt Alfaro, racing down from the blue line, gained possession of the puck and slid it in past John Lethemon. That would be the game-winning goal, allowing Wheeling the win over Greenville, 5-4.
