ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Franckly speaking, he had a great weekend

March 7, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV. - Wheeling's Andy Franck is the Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for February 27-March 5.

Franck has been runner-up for the award three different weeks this year before finally being named today. He was also runner-up for the Goalie of the Month in November.

The 24-year-old was 1-0-1 with a shutout, a goals against of 0.48 and a save percentage of .986 to help the Nailers clinch a playoff spot for only the second time since 1998. .

Franck began the week stopping 35 of 35 shots in regulation and overtime against Greenville on Mar. 3 before suffering a five-round shootout loss, 1-0. The 6-foot-1 and 183-pound netminder made 35 saves in a 2-1 win over Toledo. The shutout against Greenville was his third of the season.

Franck is 3-1-1 with a shutout, a goals against of 1.38 and a save percentage of .959 in his last five starts to improve to 22-12-4 while ranking 3rd in the ECHL with a goals against of 2.26 in 40 games.

Prior to signing a player tryout contract with Wheeling in October, Franck played three years at Mercyhurst College, compiling a 43-26-5 record with a 3.12 goals-against average in 81 games. He helped lead the Lakers to the Atlantic Hockey Title in 2003.

The native of Lakewood, Ohio, was named to the ECHL's American Conference All-Star team in January stopping 7 of 8 shots in his lone period of action. Franck left prior to his senior season and now has a chance to break the single season record for wins by a goalie currently held by Geoff Finch (26, 1994-95).

The Nailers hit the road on Friday to take on Dayton, followed up by a Saturday night affair in Johnstown. Wheeling returns home on St. Patrick's Night for "Guinness Special Jersey Night" against Dayton. Nailer individual tickets and playoff packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at the Wheeling Nailers Ticket Office, online at www.wheelingnailers.com, or by phone at (304) 234-GOAL. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Wheeling Nailers offices at (877) NAIL-TIX or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.

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ECHL Stories from March 7, 2006


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