Zach Urdahl's empty-net tally ended up being the game-winning goal in a dramatic win that sends the Nailers to their first Eastern Conference Final since 2016.
For the first time in a decade, the Wheeling Nailers are one of the final four teams remaining in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
On Monday, they defeated the Maine Mariners in Game 7, 4-3, in what was a bit of a dramatic finish to secure their ticket to the ECHL Eastern Conference Final. They went up 4-1 on Zach Urdahl's empty-net goal with a minute and a half remaining in regulation, and despite Maine scoring two goals in a minute's span, they were able to lock down and come away with the victory.
Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier was spectacular, stopping 27 of 30 Mariners' shots, including a ten-bell save in the first period that prevented Maine from notching the first goal of the contest during the opening frame.
And things went up for Wheeling following Gauthier's remarkable right pad save.
Shortly after the save, Wheeling gained the offensive zone, and captain Matthew Quercia was able to corral the puck on a feed in the left circle, and he put it short side to give the Nailers a 1-0 lead. Before the end of the first period, Wheeling notched another, as Tanner Andrew put home his first goal in professional hockey off a rebound from an Emil Pieniniemi shot.
The lead was cut in half during the second period, when Owen Gallatin made it 2-1. That one-goal lead carried into the third period, when Wheeling was putting on a solid display of defensive hockey. Matty De St. Phalle finally provided the Nailers with an insurance goal with 3:07 left in regulation to make it 3-1, and Urdahl scored his empty-netter with a minute and a half to go.
Wyllum Deveaux and Robert Cronin added the two late goals for Maine, and it was 4-3 with 26.5 seconds remaining. However, the Nailers managed to clear the zone despite some pressure from the Mariners, and they squeaked out the 4-3 victory.
Wheeling will begin its seven-game Eastern Conference Final series against the Florida Everblades - owned by future Pittsburgh Penguins' franchise ownership group, the Hoffman Family of Companies - on May 22 at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida.
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