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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

January 31st Game Preview

January 31, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV - Things were going well for the Wheeling Nailers. In fact, things were almost going too well. The Nailers, yet to lose back-to-back games, owned a record of 22-6-5 in early January and a commanding lead in the North Division.

Then, from Jan. 9 through Jan. 17, the Nailers went six straight games without a win and saw their large divisional lead melt down to a slim two points heading into the All-Star break. Part of the issue facing the Nailers during the losing streak was the loss of several of the team's best players due to AHL call-ups, as well as a few injuries.

It turns out the All-Star break may have provided the spark and an influx of some returning players that the Nailers needed to return to their winning ways. They beat Johnstown 3-2 in their first game back from the All-Star break on Jan. 23, then turned around the next night and defeated Reading 6-4.

"The good thing we had about the past weekend's games," a reflecting Nailers coach Greg Puhalski said during Tuesday's weekly press conference at River City Ale Works, "both in Johnstown and Reading, is we were able to jump out to 3-0 leads."

Forward Erik Johnson was a major part of those leads. He scored a first-period and a second-period goal against Johnstown on Jan. 23. The next night he scored the Nailers' first goal of the game against Reading, then put the game away late in the third with his second and third goals of the game for the hat trick.

A couple of instrumental players have also recently returned from AHL call-ups, including forwards Aaron Clarke and Jordan Morrison. Though he has already been recalled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, forward Tommy Goebel also played for the Nailers during their 3-game road trip last weekend.

"We have adjusted to [a changing roster] pretty well," said Puhalski. "With exception to that losing streak we had before the All-Star break, it's something that we have dealt with and we know if and when it happens again that we have to rely on our experience to get ourselves through."

Morrison, who played in four games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, referred to his first AHL action as valuable.

"It's a step up," he said. "Everything is a little bit quicker. You don't have as much time with the puck, and everyone is more solid up there. The whole package up there is a different game."

The Nailers also recently welcomed back a familiar face to their locker room - forward Bo Cheesman, who was re-acquired in a trade Tuesday with the Alaska Aces for future considerations. Cheesman, 27, has been playing in the ECHL since he broke into the league with the Peoria Rivermen in 2004. Also playing part of the 2004-05 season with the Nailers, Cheesman quickly became a fan favorite. He went on to play in 69 games with the Nailers in 2005-06 and recorded 46 points (20G, 26A).

Today's televised game against Mississippi at 8:05 p.m. will be the first time the Nailers have played the Sea Wolves since early in November. The Nailers fell to the Sea Wolves twice in overtime during their 3-game road trip in Mississippi, but managed a 4-1 win in regulation in the second of three games.

The Nailers, who held a 4-point lead in the North Division as of Friday afternoon, will need to make sure they know where Mississippi leading scorer Ryan Cruthers is at all times Saturday night. As of Friday afternoon he was tied for 13th in the league in points this season (38). Wheeling's Bryan Ewing leads the league with 56 points (29G, 27A).

"He's a dynamic player," Puhalski said of Cruthers, who retained his rookie status this season despite playing four games for the AHL's Utah Grizzlies last season. "He can do some things. It's going to take everything for us to keep him off the board."

It would behoove the Nailers to also keep Mississippi's Nathieu Menalson in check. Menalson was a major catalyst in the Sea Wolves' 4-3 overtime win over the Nailers on Nov. 9. Menalson scored three goals in less than five minutes to steal the win and an extra point away from the Nailers.

Following Saturday's game, the Nailers have a 2-game home stand against Dayton and Elmira on Feb. 6-7, respectively. They then play eight important road games over the following three weeks.

"We do realize that there are a lot of games to be played," said Puhalski. "That's going to be our focus and my message from now until the end of the year. We need to battle and play at a high level of consistency, show up every night and let the chips fall where they may."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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