Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
February 1, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers had a very successful three-game road trip, as they earned five out of six possible points against the Elmira Jackals and Brampton Beast. On Friday night, the Nailers put together their most decisive win of the weekend, starting right away, with Danny Fick's goal 63 seconds into the contest. Elmira pulled even at the 18-second mark of the second period, but the remainder of the night was all Wheeling, as Cody Wydo broke the tie, and insurance was provided by Chris Ciotti and Matt Tabrum. Franky Palazzese was magnificent in goal, setting his own season-high with 42 saves. Saturday night also featured a fast start for the Nailers, as Paul Cianfrini turned on the red light twice before the game was five minutes old. The Jackals rallied back with three straight power play markers to jump ahead, but Wheeling fought back to earn a point with Jordan Kwas' goal on the man advantage. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to come away with a second point, as Elmira scored on two of four shootout attempts. Casey DeSmith made 35 stops during regulation and overtime. On Sunday, Wheeling fell behind Brampton 2-0 after two periods, but put forth one of its better comebacks of the year in the third. Cody Wydo and Jarrett Burton knotted the game at two each, setting up Derek Army to provide the heroics with the winning goal at 1:28 of overtime. Palazzese notched his second victory of the weekend, evening his record at 11-11-2.
Both of the Nailers' newest faces scored their first goals with the club over the weekend, as Chris Ciotti scored in his debut on Friday, followed by Jordan Kwas on Saturday. Danny Fick's goal at the 1:03 mark of the first period on Friday was the Nailers' fastest goal scored in a game this season, beating the previous mark by one second. Andrew Cerretani and Cody Wydo have been two of the hotter performers as of late, as Wydo has 11 points in 12 games, while Cerretani has nine points in 11 contests. Paul Cianfrini's two-goal game on Saturday was the first of his professional career. Three of his six career goals have come in Elmira. Sunday afternoon was Wheeling's sixth comeback win of 2015-16 - three of which have come when trailing after two periods. Derek Army's overtime goal was the first of his career, and it also boosted his team lead in game winning goals to five. Mathew Maione had at least one point in all three games, and is currently tied for second in the ECHL in defensive scoring with 31 points.
This Week
Wed. 2/3 WHEELING NAILERS @ Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:35
Fri. 2/5 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35
Sat. 2/6 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 8:05
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will begin the month of February with the last leg of their four-game stretch of road games, before returning to WesBanco Arena for a key two-game weekend set. On Wednesday night, the Nailers will make their first trip of the season to US Bank Arena, where they will face the Cincinnati Cyclones for the first time since the epic Education Day Comeback on November 10th. Wheeling fell behind 5-2, before rallying for five goals in 4:10 for a 7-5 triumph. Cincinnati is currently in a logjam in the Western Conference, in which five teams are separated by five points for three playoff spots. The Cyclones occupy that last postseason position with 45 points, following a 3-2 overtime win against Quad City on Saturday. Former Nailer Christiaan Minella remains on Cincinnati's roster, but fellow former Nailer Mike Ratchuk was traded to the Norfolk Admirals. On Friday and Saturday night, the Nailers will clash with the Reading Royals for the first time since the end of November, in a season series which has seen the home team win all four matches. Wheeling is currently looking up at Reading, who holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Nailers are six points behind the Royals with two games in hand. Last week, Reading went 2-1-1, losing to Brampton in overtime, beating Elmira, and splitting two with Adirondack. The Royals will host Manchester on Wednesday.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
Fri. 2/5 vs. Reading- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday
Sat. 2/6 vs. Reading- Pittsburgh Steelers Night, Starring Brett Keisel, Boy Scout Night
Fri. 2/26 vs. Greenville- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday
Sat. 2/27 vs. Elmira- Disney Night Featuring Corey Fogelmanis (Farkle from Girl Meets World), Pink in the Rink
Sun. 2/28 vs. Elmira- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate with the Team (Odd Numbered Players)
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 15, Jarrett Burton
Assists: 26, Mathew Maione
Points: 37, Jarrett Burton
Penalty Minutes: 105, Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +10, Mike Gunn
Wins: 11, Franky Palazzese
Goals Against Average: 2.93, Brian Foster
Save Percentage: .905, Brian Foster
Shutouts: 2, Franky Palazzese
North Division Standings
1. Toledo Walleye 58
2. WHEELING NAILERS 41
3. Kalamazoo Wings 39
4. Brampton Beast 37
Last Week
Fri. 1/29 WHEELING NAILERS 4 @ Elmira Jackals 1
Fick (Tabrum)
Wydo (Maione, J. Burton)
Ciotti (McGrath, Cerretani)
Tabrum (Palazzese)
Palazzese- 42/43
Sat. 1/30 WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Elmira Jackals 4 (shootout)
Cianfrini (Maione, DeSmith)
Cianfrini (Ruopp, Tabrum)
Kwas (Maione, Cerretani)
SO: Cerretani- N, Wydo- Y, Maione- N, Army- N, DeSmith- 2/4
DeSmith- 35/38
Sun. 1/31 WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Brampton Beast 2 (overtime)
Wydo (Cianfrini, J. Burton)
J. Burton (Maione)
Army (Cianfrini, J. Burton)
Palazzese- 19/21
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