FORT WAYNE, IN- The Wheeling Nailers and Fort Wayne Komets wrapped up their quick two-game exhibition series on Sunday afternoon at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
The final score was identical to Friday’s opener at WesBanco Arena, but the path was different. Fort Wayne erased a 2-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, to prevail 4-2 on home ice. Scott Kirton and Kevin Gursoy were the goal scorers for the Nailers.
One goal was scored during the first period, as Fort Wayne cashed in on its lone power play. Hunter Johannes fired a high shot from the left side, which ended up hitting teammate Alex Aleardi, who was parked above the left side of the crease. Aleardi dropped the puck onto his stick, then slipped a pass a couple of feet to his right for Jack Gorniak, who tapped the puck into the vacant right side of the twine.
Wheeling turned things around in the middle frame, starting with a power play goal of its own. Mitchell Smith dished a pass across the blueline to C.J. Valerian at the right point. Valerian let a wrist shot go, which was tipped into the cage by Scott Kirton at the 5:09 mark. 1:47 later, the Nailers took their first lead of the afternoon.
Mitchell Haight leaped into the air at the right point to glove down a potential clearing attempt by the Komets. The great defensive play was immediately rewarded, as the puck navigated its way to the top of the crease, where Kevin Gursoy deked to his backhand, and flipped a shot into the top shelf.
Unfortunately for the Nailers, the game went back in the other direction during the third period, as all three goals were notched by Fort Wayne. Aleardi netted the equalizer at the 7:14 mark, six seconds after a successful penalty kill by Wheeling. The veteran forward flew down the right side of the ice, then cut to the middle, and in the process, trickled a backhander through Carter McPhail’s legs.
With 4:02 left, the Komets took the lead back. McPhail made three consecutive saves in quick succession, but Cody Morgan’s fourth attempt finally found its way in. Arnaud Durandeau added an empty-netter for a 4-2 final in Fort Wayne’s favor.
Samuel Jonsson played the entire contest in goal for the Komets and earned the win by making 18 saves on 20 shots. Philip Svedebäck denied 16 of 17 shots in the start for the Nailers, before giving way to Carter McPhail, who suffered the loss, despite going 13-of-15 in relief.
The Nailers will open the 2026-27 regular season with a road contest against the Indy Fuel on Friday, October 16th at 7:15 p.m. Wheeling’s home opener will take place on Saturday, October 24th at 7:10 p.m. against the Toledo Walleye. There will be a magnetic schedule giveaway for all fans, plus Rachel Clement will perform an ice skating and fire act during intermissions.
For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
