Defenseman Brent Johnson and forward Jack Works each scored goals for the Wheeling Nailers in a 7-2 loss to the Worcester Railers at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va., on Wednesday.

Goaltender Maxim Pavelenko made 27 saves on 34 shots as his record fell to 9-6-0.

Penguins defensive prospect Emil Pieniniemi made his ECHL debut. Opening the contest on the left side of the top pairing, Pieniniemi recorded two shots.

This was the first game for Wheeling (20-7-1-0) following a brief two-day strike by ECHL players that postponed three games for the team between Dec. 26 and 28.

The Nailers’ next game is a home contest against the Railers on Friday, 7:10 p.m.

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