The Wheeling Nailers take a 2-1 series lead in the ECHL Kelly Cup Final with a 3-2 win over the defending champions Allen Americans Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV. This was the first Kelly Cup Final game ever played at WesBanco Arena. As temperatures reached into the 90s outside, the Nailers remained hot on the ice inside. Wheeling’s James Melindy earned the 1st Star of the Game with his game winning goal, his first goal of the playoffs. Melindy was +2. Wheeling’s Franky Palazzese received 2nd Star of the Game, stopping 28 out of 30 shots. 3rd Star of the Game went to Wheeling’s Anton Zlobin, who scored one of Wheeling’s three goals. The teams return to WesBanco Arena for Game 4 Friday, June 3, 2016. Game 5 will be Saturday, June 4, 2016. The Wheeling Nailers have yet to win the Kelly Cup. (Rachel Lewis – Inside Hockey)
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- 14th Street in downtown Wheeling is renamed Kelly Cup Dr for the duration of the Kelly Cup Final.
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- The Wheeling Nailers make their first Kelly Cup Final appearance at WesBanco Arena.
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- Riley Gill (ALL – 30) gets the start in net for the Americans.
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- Derek Army (WHL – 16) gives Casey Pierro-Zabotel (ALL – 18) a smack to the face.
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- Derek Army (WHL – 16) receives an elbowing penalty for this hit on Rick Pinkston (ALL – 4).
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- Aaron Gens (ALL – 5) keeps Shane Bakker (WHL – 19) from the puck.
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- Eric Roy (ALL – 7) checks Shane Bakker (WHL – 19) into the boards.
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- Ty Loney (WHL – 24) scores the first goal of the game.
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- Ty Loney (WHL – 24) celebrates his goal.
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- Spencer Asuchak (ALL – 26) faces off against Jarrett Burton (WHL – 20).
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- Anton Zlobin (WHL – 28) scores Wheeling’s second goal of the game.
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- Cody Wydo (WHL – 11) skates the puck into the Allen zone.
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- Greger Hanson (ALL – 15) tries to knock Jarrett Burton (WHL – 20) off the puck.
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- James Melindy (WHL – 6) leaps into the glass after scoring his first goal of the playoffs.
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- James Melindy (WHL – 6) celebrates his goal with Jarrett Burton (WHL – 20) and Riley Brace (WHL – 23).
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- Nikita Jevpalovs (ALL – 24) slams Jarrett Burton (WHL – 20) into the boards.
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- Franky Palazzese (WHL – 29) celebrates the Nailers win.
