Game Story

Wheeling, WV – Worcester Railers continued their playoff push in Wednesday’s tilt against the fourth seed Wheeling Nailers. The matchup was the final bout between the two teams this regular season.

Neither team could get on the board in the opening 20 minutes. Wheeling had two power plays as Mike Cornell went to the box for boarding and Nick Saracino went for a delay of game. Railers had a power play of their own as Wheeling’s Riley Bourbonnais went off for slashing. Wheeling outshot Worcester 9-5.

The second period was a lot like the first. Neither team could find the net through the Nailers had possession of the puck for most of the period, out shooting Worcester 16-5. Despite over a dozen missed calls on Wheeling players, Nailers had the only power play as Connor Doherty was called for roughing on the same play where goaltender Mitch Gillam was slashed and was slashed again on the following play.

Regulation would conclude with no score, along with the overtime period with Wheeling outshooting Worcester 33-28 after 65 minutes.

Into the shootout, Railers Matt Lane, Frankie DiChiara, Jake Randolph, and TJ Syner had their chances but could not score on Wheeling goaltender Adam Morrison. Wheeling’s Chris Francis put the game away with his shot from the left circle and scored past Mitch Gillam.

The three stars of the game were: Adam Morrison (28 saves, 65 min), Chris Francis (Shootout Goal), and Mitch Gillam (33 saves, 65 min).

Railers are still chugging along towards a playoff spot in the North Division with two spots within reach. Worcester now has 68 points through 63 games (31-25-4-4) and trail the Wheeling Nailers for the fourth playoff spot by fours points with two games in hand. Reading Royals hold the third playoff spot with 76 points, while Adirondack Thunder have 81 points for second and Manchester Monarchs have 83 points for first.

Railers continue their road trip against Reading on Friday. Puck drops at 7 PM.

Box Score

Notes

• Railers Scratches: Chris Langkow, Josh Monk, Tommy Kelley. All three are currently injured, leaving the Railers without any healthy scratches during this road trip.
• Nailers Scratches: Dan Milan, Andrew Schmidt, Kenny Ryan, Dylan Zink, Dalton Reum, Colin Stevens, and Matt O’Connor.
• Word is that Chris Langkow will be re-evaluated after the Railers return from their road trip, however, there’s no timeframe for his return.
• Tommy Kelley was released from the hospital Sunday night. It was reported that Kelley felt soreness in his shoulders and collarbone area, and had no concussion symptoms other than a slight headache. Luckily for him, none of the injuries he sustained are considered to be serious, but he will return to the ice at some point and will not require surgery. Telegram & Gazette’s Bill Ballou had the entire story, which can be found here, which is worth the read.
• Ryan MacKinnon was recalled to Bridgeport after Sunday’s game. His signing details became official on transaction lists with an announcement by the team on Tuesday.
• With a shutout through 65 minutes, Mitch Gillam ties Devin Williams of Tulsa with a league-high 4 shutouts this season. He currently leads all rookie goaltenders with a 2.33 GAA and is third with a 0.917 save percentage.
• Transactions are expected between the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Worcester Railers before Friday’s game in Reading. We’ll post them on our social media as they become available.
• It was mentioned on the Radio Broadcast that Jake Randolph received his skates from the Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha on Monday. Randolph used a pair of Barry Almeida’s extra skates during his debut on Sunday.

Railers Lines (Observed by order in which they appeared):