Franky Palazzese Wins ECHL Goaltender of the Month
April 15, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers Goaltender Franky Palazzese
(Wheeling Nailers)
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are excited to announce that goaltender Franky Palazzese has been named Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for April.
Palazzese, 21, completed a fantastic turnaround during his rookie season, winning ten of his final 16 starts to turn a 10-14-0 mark at the end of January into a 20-19-1 final record. Despite a loss in his first game of April at Kalamazoo on April 4th, Franky stepped up even bigger during the final week of the campaign, winning three straight games, as the Nailers rallied from three points down, to pass the Cincinnati Cyclones for the final playoff spot in the North Division. The first year netminder turned in a career-high 46 saves in a 2-1 triumph in Reading on April 8th, before making 18 and 25 saves respectively in back-to-back victories over Elmira, including the April 11th clincher. Palazzese finished the regular season portion of April with a 3-1-0 record, a 2.26 goals against average, and .932 save percentage.
Prior to turning pro, the Toronto, ON native played parts of five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, with the Kingston Frontenacs, Kitchener Rangers, and Sudbury Wolves. There, he compiled a 71-69-26 record, while appearing in playoff action in each of his last four seasons.
Palazzese becomes the first Nailer to win a monthly award in 2014-15, and becomes the first player to win ECHL Goaltender of the Month for Wheeling since Mike Condon last April.
Franky Palazzese and the Nailers will begin their North Division Semi-Final Series against the Toledo Walleye on Thursday night at 8:15 at Huntington Center. Games three, four, and five will take place at WesBanco Arena on April 22nd, 24th, and 25th (if necessary).
The Nailers will play a maximum of three home games during their opening round playoff series against Toledo. Fans can get a free kids ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket at the Nailers office for game three on April 22nd. McDonald's Friends & Family Tickets will be available for games four and five (if necessary) on April 24th and 25th, giving fans the opportunity to receive four tickets, four hats, and four McDonald's Value Meal coupons for $39.99. April 24th will also be a Frosty Friday.
Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets, single-game tickets, and playoff packages 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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 Wheeling Nailers Goaltender Franky Palazzese |
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