The Wheeling Nailers found themselves on the ropes ahead of their must-win Game 4 on Friday, trailing their North Division Semifinals series to the Norfolk Admirals 3-0.
Powered by two goals from Matty De St. Phalle, the Nailers forced a Game 5 on Saturday night thanks to a convincing 4-1 win in front of their faithful fans at WesBanco Arena.
After only one goal through the first three games, Wheeling erupted for two goals in the first period, led by De St. Phalle's opening tally just 2:05 into the game.
Although the Admirals tied things up just 42 seconds later, Cole Tymkin restored the Nailers' lead at 18:38.
Wheeling Nailers Looking To Avoid History Ahead Of Game 4
The Wheeling Nailers are on a collision course with history on Friday night as they host Game 4 of their North Division Semifinals series with the Norfolk Admirals.
Neither team scored in the second period, while remaining tied in shots on goal at 21-21 after 40 minutes.
De St. Phalle gave Wheeling their first two-goal lead of the series with his second of the night at 8:24 of the third before Eli Lieffers put the game out of reach at 10:07.
During his first action of the playoffs, Jaxon Castor was almost perfect in place of Sergei Murashov, making 29 saves on 30 shots for a .966 SV%.
It appears that the starting job now belongs to Castor after Murashov was called up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a chance to play in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Meanwhile, for the first time in four games, Admirals' netminder Thomas Milic looked human, making 25 saves on 29 shots, finishing the game with a .862 SV%. Despite an off night between the pipes, the 22-year-old has stopped 128 shots through four games for a .962 series SV%.
Overall, it was a tightly contested game outside of the final score, as Norfolk finished with 30 shots compared to Wheeling's 29. As expected, there was no love lost between the two clubs, with the Nailers compiling 29 penalty minutes, followed by the Admirals 21.
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De St. Phalle had the contest's only special-teams goal in the third period, while Norfolk went 0-for-5 on the power play.
The North Division Semifinals continue on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET, as Wheeling looks to fight off elimination for the second consecutive night.