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Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot

October 18, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (2013-14: 39-27-1-5, 84 PTS) vs. Reading Royals (2013-14: 46-22-2-2, 96 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

2013-14:

(39-27-1-5, 84 PTS, 2nd Atlantic, 6th East)

216 GF, 196 GA

PP: 16.3% (40-for-245), 10th

PK: 84.5% (246-for-291), 13th

21-F-Sahir Gill (13 goals, 41 assists, 54 points in 67 games)

17-F-Carter Rowney (13 goals, 31 assists, 44 points in 39 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (17 goals, 25 assists, 42 points in 60 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (17 goals, 18 assists, 35 points in 44 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points in 64 games)

4-D-Paul Cianfrini (1 goal, 15 assists, 16 points in 66 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (27-23-9 record, 2.97 GAA, .916 Sv% in 60 OHL games)

READING ROYALS

2013-14:

(46-22-2-2, 96 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 1st East)

229 GF, 182 GA

PP: 16.5% (47-for-284), 17th

PK: 86.5% (212-for-245), 2nd

16-F-Ryan Cruthers (16 goals, 40 assists, 56 points in 53 games)

17-F-Adam Hughesman (21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points in 61 games)

15-F-Sean Wiles (19 goals, 26 assists, 45 points in 55 games)

2-D-Mike Marcou (8 goals, 21 assists, 29 points in 65 games)

7-F-Kevin Walrod (8 goals, 18 assists, 26 points in 44 games)

3-D-Zach Davies (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 31 games)

30-G-Connor Knapp (11-12-5 record, 2.53 GAA, .920 Sv% in 29 games)

Head-to-Head

2013-14 Season Series: Royals 9, Nailers 6

2013-14 Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Royals 4, Nailers 3

All-Time Series: Royals 75, Nailers 56

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Royals 35, Nailers 29

Season 23 Begins in Wheeling

The Wheeling Nailers will begin their 23rd season of hockey in the Ohio Valley on Saturday night, when they play host to the Reading Royals. The 23 seasons in the ECHL break the previous record of 22, held by the Johnstown Chiefs. Ironically, the Wheeling Thunderbirds played their first game in team history on October 18th, defeating the Dayton Bombers, 9-3. Through the years, Wheeling has compiled a 10-11-1 record in season openers, but has won each of its last three home openers, including a 3-2 victory over Elmira on October 18th, 2013. The Nailers enter the 2014-15 campaign with an all-time record of 781-637-140 in regular season play.

The Return of the Misfits

The 2014-15 version of the Nailers has a similar feel the 2013-14 squad, as 12 of the 23 players on the active roster (plus one player on Injured Reserve) donned a Wheeling uniform last season. Meanwhile, only six of the remaining eleven players will be appearing in their rookie campaigns, giving the Nailers one of its most experienced squads in recent memory. In fact, prior to last season, Wheeling had gone five full seasons without dressing a veteran player in its regular lineup. This year's team boasts three veteran players, as forward Chaz Johnson takes the ice for his tenth professional season, while defenseman Mike Ratchuk and forward Tyler Murovich both reached the 260-game plateau last season.

Reading Turns Back the Clock

The Reading Royals are coming off of back-to-back first place finishes in the Eastern Conference as the ECHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals. Although they are now part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, there are some familiar faces in the lineup for seventh year head coach Larry Courville. Seven players return to the Royals from the 2013-14 squad, while two others called Reading home in previous seasons. Defenseman Adam Comrie racked up 17 goals and 33 points in 45 ECHL games during the 2012-13 season, while Olivier Labelle returns to North America after spending two seasons in Austria.

Donatelli is Mr. 200

When he takes his usual place behind the Wheeling bench on Saturday, Clark Donatelli will make his way into the history books, becoming just the second individual in team history to serve as head coach for 200 regular season games. In doing so, he ties Doug Sauter's original mark, as Sauter coached the Thunderbirds from 1992-95. During his time with the Nailers, Donatelli's teams have posted a 96-76-27 record, earning 219 points in the standings. Sauter currently holds the records for wins (124) and points (268), which are both within reach for Clark in 2014-15. Donatelli's record breaking 201st game will take place on Friday at Gwinnett.

New Divisions, Same Rivalry

Saturday night marks the 132nd all-time meeting between the Nailers and Royals, marking the fourth most games against a single opponent in Wheeling history. Reading currently holds a 75-56 lead in the historical series, including a 35-29 edge at WesBanco Arena. A significant portion of those victories have come in recent seasons, as the Nailers have failed to win a season series against the Royals since the 2006-07 campaign. While there are 12 contests on the docket in 2014-15, the season series may have a different feel, as Wheeling and Reading will be members of different divisions for the first time since 2010-11.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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