After recently punching their ticket to the ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs, the Wheeling Nailers' next task to check off is securing the franchise's first 40-win season in almost two decades, which they achieved on Friday night thanks to a 6-3 win over the Reading Royals.
Despite a final spread of three goals, the game was tied 1-1 after the first and 4-3 after two. However, David Jankowski's goal at 14:35 of the middle period stood up as the game-winner, as the 27-year-old tied a season-high four points with a goal and three assists.
Gabe Klassen opened the scoring at 16:07 of the first, with Sam Sedley tying the contest two minutes later at 18:04. Then, Brent Johnson restored the Nailers' lead at 2:20 of the second before Robert Calisiti tied things again at 4:30.
The two teams traded lamplighters again, with Wheeling going up 3-2 at 12:04 (Phip Waugh) and Reading tying it up at 3-3 at 13:07 (Mason Primeau) before Jankowski put the home team up for good at 14:35.
Wheeling Nailers Clinch ECHL Playoff SpotThe Wheeling Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are headed back to the Kelly Cup playoffs, clinching a playoff spot with a 3-2 victory over the Bloomington Bison on Sunday.
Logan Pietila extended the lead at 13:53 before Klassen capped off the night the same way he started it, with his second goal of the night at 16:19.
Five Wheeling skaters had multi-point nights, while Taylor Gauthier made 25 saves to finish the game with a .893 SV%, only the second time since the end of February he's produced a sub .900 SV%.
The Nailers are now 40-23-3-1 and have their first 40-win season since 2005-06, when that year's team went 45-21-6. The franchise record for most victories in a single season is 46, achieved in 1994-95 when they were the Thunderbirds.
Wheeling and Reading reconnect on Saturday at 7:15 pm ET.
