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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Admirals Game Day Snap Shot, December 22

December 22, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (14-11-2-0, 30 Pts.) at Norfolk Admirals (12-14-1-2, 27 Pts.)

WHEELING NAILERS

(14-11-2-0, 30 PTS, 3rd Central, T-8th West)

95 GF, 84 GA

PP: 21.2% (24-for-113), 2nd

PK: 85.5% (106-for-124), 9th

NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins

AHL Affiliate: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

13-F-Nick Saracino (15 goals, 20 assists, 35 points in 26 games)

21-F-Cam Brown (8 goals, 22 assists, 30 points in 27 games)

22-D-Kevin Spinozzi (9 goals, 16 assists, 25 points in 25 games)

27-F-Zac Lynch (9 goals, 12 assists, 21 points in 27 games)

17-F-Winston Day Chief (7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points in 24 games)

23-F-Michael Phillips (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 27 games)

30-G-Matt O'Connor (6-2-1 record, 2.77 GAA, .907 Sv% in 10 games)

NORFOLK ADMIRALS

(12-14-1-2, 27 PTS, 5th South, T-11th East)

87 GF, 115 GA

PP: 15.7% (18-for-115), T-16th

PK: 83.2% (89-for-107), 17th

NHL Affiliate: Arizona Coyotes

AHL Affiliate: Tucson Roadrunners

23-F-Taylor Cammarata (10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points in 29 games)

12-F-Ben Duffy (6 goals, 18 assists, 24 points in 27 games)

5-D-Jalen Smereck (2 goals, 17 assists, 19 points in 28 games)

18-F-Luke Nogard (10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points in 22 games)

22-F-Patrick D'Amico (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 25 games)

16-F-Connor Hurley (6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points in 27 games)

35-G-Jeremy Brodeur (0-9-0 record, 4.09 GAA, .888 Sv% in 14 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 3, Admirals 1

Season Series at Norfolk Scope Arena: Nailers 2, Admirals 1

All-Time Series: Nailers 10, Admirals 6

All-Time Series at Norfolk Scope Arena: Nailers 5, Admirals 5

Eight is Great

The Wheeling Nailers earned at least one standings point for the eighth straight game on Friday night, while extending their winning streak to four games, as they took down the Norfolk Admirals, 6-3 on the road. Wheeling's offense got things started early once again, as Kevin Spinozzi blasted in a shorthanded goal 3:05 into the match. With less than one minute remaining in the opening stanza, Cedric Lacroix connected for a power play goal, giving the Nailers their second lead of the night. After Norfolk tied things at the beginning of the middle frame, Wheeling pulled ahead for good. Nick Saracino put his team on top with another power play strike, and he was followed by Zac Lynch and Cam Brown. Saracino tacked on one final tally into an empty net for the club's sixth goal of the contest. The Nailers were outshot, 35-20, but Matt O'Connor stood tall with 32 saves to earn his sixth victory in his last seven decisions.

Struggles Continue at Scope

The Norfolk Admirals ended up on the short side of the scoreboard for the eighth time in a row on Friday, dropping their third straight decision to the Nailers. The setback was also Norfolk's fifth straight at home, as the Admirals were swept by the Manchester Monarchs in a three-game set two weeks ago. Norfolk has had five players return to the lineup during the two games this week, as Jacob Graves, John Gustafsson, and Kelly Klima all donned the uniform on Friday night. The Admirals battled back from a couple of early deficits against Wheeling on Friday, getting goals from Chris Crane and Luke Nogard to make the score 2-2. Brandon Rumble had the last marker of the night for Norfolk, but by that point, the damage was done, as goaltender Ty Reichenbach was bested on five of the 19 shots he faced.

Spectacular Special Teams

There won't be many performances on special teams that can top what the Nailers achieved in Friday's triumph at Norfolk. Wheeling's power play was electric, converting on three of five opportunities, as Cedric Lacroix, Nick Saracino, and Cam Brown all found the back of the net. Two of the goals were scored within the first 20 seconds of the man advantage. On the other side of the ice, the penalty kill was perfect, denying all eight power plays for the Admirals. In addition to that, the Nailers also notched two shorthanded goals - one each from Kevin Spinozzi and Nick Saracino. After scoring eight shorthanded goals all of last season, this year's Wheeling squad already has nine in 27 games. Special teams have played a big role in leading to victories this season, as the Nailers are 8-1-0 when winning the special teams battle, 1-6-0 when losing it, and 5-4-2 when the teams tie.

A Look at the Leaderboards

Thanks to earning 15 of 16 possible points over the course of the last eight games, the Nailers have climbed up to third place in the Central Division Standings. However, the team as a whole isn't the only thing climbing around the ECHL, as 40 goals in that eight-game span has led to some individuals moving up to high ranks around the league. Nick Saracino and Cam Brown have both recorded multiple points in the games this week, extending their point streaks to nine games. Saracino now has 35 points on the year, which places him second in the ECHL, trailing Utah's Caleb Herbert by three. Brown's 30 points are good for 11th in the league. Kevin Spinozzi collected three points on Friday, giving him points in six straight games, while bringing his season total to 25 points. That is the most among ECHL defensemen, and his nine goals are also tied for the most among blueliners in the league, along with Brampton's Jordan Henry and Tulsa's Kyle Rhodes.

One More for Good Measure

Saturday night marks the fifth and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Admirals this season, as well as the fourth battle at Norfolk Scope Arena. After dropping the season opener in Virginia, Wheeling has rattled off three straight wins against Norfolk to secure its fifth season series win of 2018-19. The Admirals have had a rough go in their own zone during those three matches, as the Nailers have gotten into the holiday spirit by turning on the red light 18 times, while limiting Norfolk to ten goals on the other side. This will also be Wheeling's last game of the year against a South Division opponent, having gone 7-1-1 this season and 15-3-2 over the last two years. The leading scorers in this particular set are Nick Saracino and Cam Brown, who both have eight points for the Nailers. The top performers for the Admirals have been Taylor Cammarata and Ben Duffy, who both have five points. Matt O'Connor leads the way with three victories between the pipes.

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