WHEELING — Taylor Gauthier is on the verge of Wheeling history, as his 58 career wins are two shy of Andy Franck’s all-time record of 60. Gauthier’s performance for the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday night against the Fort Wayne Komets at WesBanco Arena was definitely a legendary one.

The Nailers netminder made an astounding 53 saves on 55 shots, and although he had to wait an extra 5:19 to earn the win, it was worth it. Brent Johnson delivered the game winning goal in overtime for Wheeling to end the team’s five-game winless skid. The final score was 3-2.

The Komets missed out on their first trip to Wheeling due to some nasty winter weather, but they put a storm’s worth of shots on the Nailers during the first period. However, Wheeling took advantage of its best opportunity of the stanza by cashing in on a power play to take a 1-0 lead. Johnson sprinted into the right side of the offensive zone to snap a pass to Randy Hernández in the bottom of the right circle. Hernández wasted little time in setting up Matthew Quercia, who shoveled in a one-timer from the top of the crease. The Nailers fended off a 22-7 shots advantage by Fort Wayne, which included a 1:28 two-man disadvantage.

Wheeling had a tremendous opportunity to extend its lead in the opening minute of the second period, when Matty De St. Phalle was taken down from behind on a breakaway. De St. Phalle was awarded a penalty shot for his efforts, and although he made a slick move to his backhand, goaltender Nathaniel Day stretched over to make a right pad save. The Komets continued their shooting barrage with 16 attempts in the middle frame, and ultimately broke up Gauthier’s shutout bid with their 37th shot of the night. Austin Magera tapped a pass ahead to Kirill Tyutyayev, who dribbled a shot just inside of the right post for the equalizer.

The score stayed 1-1 until the final five minutes of regulation, when the two sides exchanged goals 21 seconds apart from each other. Fort Wayne took the lead at the 15:08 mark, when Alex Aleardi slipped behind the defense, and squeezed a backhander between the left post and Gauthier’s right skate. The Nailers rebounded immediately with a crazy bounce. Tristan Thompson’s dump-in from neutral ice hopped onto the goal, but Day was unable to control the puck, which kicked to Connor Lockhart, who cashed in from the right side.

Both teams secured a point in the non-conference game, as overtime was necessary to determine a winner. The extra session wasn’t the typical up-and-down sequence with chances being traded constantly, but at the 5:19 mark, Wheeling sent its fans home happy. Logan Pietila led Johnson in toward the net, and Johnson faked to his backhand to slide the winning goal through Day’s legs for the 3-2 Nailers triumph.

Gauthier set a career high by turning away 53 shots he faced in the victory for the Nailers. The 53 saves were also tied for the third most by a Wheeling goalie in a game in team history. Day made 19 saves on 22 shots in the overtime loss for the Komets.

The Nailers will have Thursday off, before continuing their homestand with a Frosty Friday against the Indy Fuel on Friday night at 7:10. On Saturday night at 7:10, Wheeling will host the Cincinnati Cyclones for Pittsburgh Penguins Night.