Khazheyev Finishes 34 Save Win in First Career Shutout
Published on December 19, 2025 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greensboro Gargoyles News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - The Greensboro Gargoyles shutout the Wheeling Nailers, who sit first place in the ECHL, in a 3-0 win on Friday night. Ruslan Khazheyev posted his first career shutout, making 34 saves in his fourth victory of the season.
The Gargoyles sprung quickly late in the first period. Ethan Leyh found an offensive zone turnover, feeding a breakaway to Patrick Newell who netted his second goal of the season with 2:33 remaining. 29 seconds later, Greg Smith batted down an attempted clearance right to Ryan Richardson who extended a 2-0 lead.
After consecutive fights electrified the First Horizon Coliseum crowd, Tyler Weiss fed a silky between the legs feed past Wheeling goaltender Taylor Gauthier giving Greensboro a 3-0 lead with 1:04 to go in the second period.
Khazheyev would make 13 saves in the third period to close out the win. Greensboro killed both Wheeling power plays, continuing their defensive dominance at home.
"It was a long time with no wins, and three weeks not playing at home. I want to win for the fans and for my team," said Khazheyev postame "It's good people here, it's a good stadium, I like it and it is good with this team."
"It comes down to hard work," said Head Coach Scott Burt. "A will to do things right and step up to block shots. The crowd shows unbelievable support for our guys, they can hear it on the bench, and it really does electrify our guys."
The Gargoyles host their inaugural Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, December 20 against the Wheeling Nailers. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal or teddy bear to the game and throw them onto the ice after the Gargoyles' first goal. All donations will be handed out by players and staff at the Cone Health Pediatric Center, helping those in need at the holidays. Tickets and more info are available at gargoyleshockey.com.
ECHL Stories from December 19, 2025
- Tahoe Keeps on Truckin' with 3-2 Victory Over Wichita on Opening Night of Grateful Dead Weekend - Tahoe Knight Monsters
- Steelheads Stumble in 4-3 Loss to Rush - Idaho Steelheads
- Khazheyev Finishes 34 Save Win in First Career Shutout - Greensboro Gargoyles
- Mavericks Fall to Grizzlies - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oilers Drop Second of Week in Allen - Tulsa Oilers
- Preview: Royals vs. Thunder, December 20th - Game 28/72 - Reading Royals
- Grizzlies Score Season High 7 Goals in Road Victory at KC - Utah Grizzlies
- Golder Scores Twice, Royals Win Sixth-Straight at Home, Roll Thunder, 5-3 - Reading Royals
- Bison Stumble Against Wings - Bloomington Bison
- Walleye Record Fifth Consecutive Win In 4-2 Victory Over Iowa - Toledo Walleye
- Railers Sail Past Admirals in 3-2 Victory - Worcester Railers HC
- K-Wings Thump Bison, Earn Road Win Friday - Kalamazoo Wings
- Late Power-Play Goal Sinks Admirals in 3-2 Setback - Norfolk Admirals
- Fuel Take Home an Overtime Win on Friday Night - Indy Fuel
- Gladiators Use Two Power Play Goals to Power Past Icemen 3-2 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Komets Fall to Indy in Overtime - Fort Wayne Komets
- Teasdale Leads the Lions to Victory with a Two-Goal Night - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- South Carolina Blanks Orlando, 2-0 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Heartlanders Fall Victim to Toledo, 5-2 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Teasedale's Pair Leads Lions over Mariners - Maine Mariners
- Savannah Scores Three Straight to Down Florida - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Thunder Comeback Falls Short in 5-3 Loss to Royals - Adirondack Thunder
- Nailers Blanked in Greensboro, 3-0 - Wheeling Nailers
- Rush Place Arvils Bergmanis on Team Suspension - Rapid City Rush
- ECHL Transactions - December 19 - ECHL
- Thunder Bring Back Defenseman Benjamin Lindberg - Adirondack Thunder
- Knight Monsters Add Pair of Skaters Ahead of Holiday Break - Tahoe Knight Monsters
- Mariners Receive Jackson Edward from Providence - Maine Mariners
- Mastrodonato Earns Call-Up to AHL Ontario - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Connor Ungar Reassigned by Edmonton Oilers to Bakersfield Condors of AHL - Orlando Solar Bears
- South Carolina Agrees to Terms with Forward Tyler Burnie - South Carolina Stingrays
- Admirals Acquire Forward Jack Jaunich from Kalamazoo in Exchange for Future Considerations - Norfolk Admirals
- Rush Game Notes: December 19, 2025 - Rush at Idaho Steelheads - Rapid City Rush
- Everblades Sign Forward Andrei Bakanov - Florida Everblades
- Blades Open Three-Game Series against Savannah - Florida Everblades
- Vitelli Recalled by Manitoba - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Blades Present Peanuts (Snoopy) Jersey Auction Benefitting the Animal Refuge Center - Florida Everblades
- Game Day Preview: Teddy Bear Toss Game - Allen Americans
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.
