Storm drops fourth consecutive game

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Storm's (16-17-1) road struggles continued last night, losing to the Wheeling Nailers 3-1.

The loss was the fourth consecutive for the Storm (16-17-1), the first time this season it has dropped four in a row.

Just like Friday night, the Storm grabbed the first goal of the game. At 4:56 of the first period, PJ. Martin scored his first goal of the season. Gerry Burke took a Matt Zultek pass and cut into the left circle of the Nailers zone, where he in turn fed a pass across the goal mouth to Martin, who tucked it behind Nailers goaltender Andy Franck.

Storm goalie Mike Brodeur set a Storm season high by making 24 saves in the first period.

Wheeling (15-18-2) quickly ended the Storm's lead with a goal just 12 seconds into the second period as Ryan Moren's slap shot from the blue line eluded Brodeur.

Wheeling took it's first lead at 7:29 when Joe Guenther wheeled and fired a shot from the top of the right circle that slid between Brodeur's pads.

The Nailers opened a two goal lead at 15:05, when Guenther tapped a rebound into the back of the net for his second goal of the game and 17th of the season.

The Storm dominated play in the third period, outshooting the Nailers 13-5 but was unable to solve Andy Franck, who made 30 saves to collect the victory.

Brodeur, who started back-to-back games for Tthe Storm, made 36 saves in the loss.

Wheeling finished the game with a 39-31 shot advantage.

NOTES: Guenther has four goals in four games against the Storm this season. ... The Storm is 7-3-0 when scoring first this season.