Donatelli Sets Record, as Nailers Down Wings
March 13, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- In 23 seasons of professional hockey in Wheeling, no head coach has won more games than Clark Donatelli. On Friday night, Donatelli earned his 125th win behind the bench for the Nailers, breaking Doug Sauter's previous mark of 124. The contest was tied at one in the third period, when Wheeling exploded for three goals against the Kalamazoo Wings. Franky Palazzese preserved the 4-1 triumph at WesBanco Arena, making 40 saves.
After a scoreless first period with just 15 combined shots on goal, the pace of the game picked up in the middle frame, as both sides lit the lamp, while peppering the netminders with 38 opportunities. The Nailers netted their goal first, doing so at the 4:38 mark of the period. David Gilbert wound up for a slap shot in the left circle, which was blocked by Joel Martin. The rebound kicked out to Chaz Johnson, who buried his shot into a wide open cage from the right side of the slot. Kalamazoo pulled even 1:54 later, while the two teams were playing 4 -on-4. A scramble around the net led to the puck finding Brett Ponich, who drilled in his attempt from the inner edge of the left circle.
At the 8:48 mark of the third period, Wheeling went ahead again, and this time, the home team never looked back. Zack Torquato carried the puck over the left side of the offensive blueline, before snapping a wrist shot, which eluded Martin along the ice on his stick side. With 4:19 remaining, the Nailers added an insurance goal, as Riley Brace picked up a loose puck along the left wall, charged toward the goal, and slipped a backhand shot through Martin's legs. Derek Army tacked on a shorthanded empty net goal at 17:44, putting the final punctuation on the 4-1 victory. Brace (9), Torquato (7), and Army (5) all extended their point streaks during that stanza.
Franky Palazzese put together another fantastic performance in goal for Wheeling, turning away 40 of the 41 shots he faced for the win. Joel Martin took the loss for Kalamazoo, making 37 saves on 40 shots.
The Nailers will continue their three-game homestand on Saturday at 7:35, when they battle the Elmira Jackals.
On Saturday the 14th, the Stanley Cup comes to WesBanco Arena, as Wheeling faces Elmira at 7:35. Three other NHL trophies will be on display on Memorabilia Night, which will also feature a trading card set giveaway and post game autograph session. The Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot will be at the game as well.
Tuesday the 17th is a 7:05 clash with the Toledo Walleye on St. Patrick's Day. Kids tickets will be $5.
Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.
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