The Wheeling Nailers came into last night's pivotal game four against the Norfolk Admirals needing a win to stay alive and extend it to a game 5. But that was not the case as the Admirals went ahead 2-0 early in the first period and never looked back as they eliminated the Nailers and advanced to the next round of the ECHL Playoffs.
First Period
The Admirals got on the board first in this one as Denis Smirnov snuck one past Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier at the 3:07 mark and the Admirals were ahead 1-0 early.
But the Admirals were not done there as 53 seconds later, they got another goal, this one from Brandon Osmundson and it was quickly 2-0 and the Nailers were on their toes.
But the Nailers got one back as David Jankowski put one in the back of the net at the 9:03 mark of the first period and it was 2-1 Admirals. The Nailers had some pushback and felt better going into the second period.
Second Period
There was no scoring in the second period as both teams could not find the twine. The Admirals took a 2-1 lead into a pivotal final period for the Nailers.
Third Period
The Admirals again got the first goal of the period as Colton Young found the back of the net at the 2:41 mark and the Nailers were in serious trouble down 3-1.
The Nailers had an answer at the 10:42 mark as Jack Beck potted one and it was 3-2 Admirals.
But Young found the back of the net again at the 12:43 mark to give the Admirals their 2-goal lead back and it was 4-2.
The Admirals added one more goal at the 17:20 mark to make it 5-2 and that was all she wrote from Wheeling as the Nailers season sadly came to an end.