Taylor Gauthier Shutout, 52 Saves To Help Wheeling Nailers Take 2-0 Series Lead
Taylor Gauthier stopped 52 of 53 shots and shut out the Reading Royals in Game 1 of the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs to give the Wheeling Nailers a 2-0 series lead. The undrafted goaltender stopped 20 shots in a 4-0 shutout win on Friday, and 32 of 33 shots in a 5-1 win on Saturday.
Due to injury and roster movement, Gauthier played in combined two postseason games for the Nailers prior to the 2025-26 season, going 0-2-0. Gauthier led the entire ECHL with a .929 save percentage and ranked third with a 2.09 goals against average in the regular season.
The series continues on Wednesday in Reading with the Nailers looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
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Penguins Prospect Report: April 27, 2026
Taylor Gauthier stopped 52 of 53 shots in two wins to help the Wheeling Nailers take a 2-0 series lead in the opening round of the ECHL playoffs, Vasily Ponomarev scored twice in the first two games of the KHL semifinals, and Max Graham found the back of the net and fought twice in the Wheeling wins.
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