Sports stats



ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Admirals Game Day Snap Shot

October 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Openers Are Fun

The Wheeling Nailers began their 24th season in team history on Friday night, and for the third year in a row, they left the ice in celebration after their opening game. Ty Loney broke a scoreless deadlock at the 1:16 mark of the middle period, then added his second goal of the night in the early stages of the third. John McCarron recorded an assist on both markers, while Sahir Gill made the pass to set up the third period tally. Jarrett Burton tacked on an empty net goal in the final minute, putting the finishing touches on a 3-0 final score. Franky Palazzese backstopped his second career shutout, turning away all 23 shots he faced. The Nailers are 4-0-1 in their last five season openers, running their all-time mark to 12-11-1.

It's Like He's Done it Before

Ty Loney was one of the few players involved in Friday night's game who had previous experience at Norfolk Scope Arena, as he played the final five games of the 2014-15 season as a member of the Norfolk Admirals. Only one of those tilts was at home, and Loney lit the lamp in a 4-2 Norfolk victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on April 17th. After helping conclude Norfolk's AHL history, the Valencia, Pennsylvania native brought his scoring touch into the Admirals return to the ECHL, but did so on the other side of the ice, scoring the first two goals in Wheeling's 3-0 victory. Loney and linemates John McCarron and Sahir Gill combined for five of the team's eight points.

A Continuation of Last Season

Wheeling finished the 2014-15 regular season with one of the more impressive weeks possible, winning four games in five days in four different cities to earn a spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Three of those triumphs were recorded by Franky Palazzese, who experienced an incredible turnaround, winning 11 of his final 18 decisions to end the campaign with a 20-19-1 record. On Friday night, Palazzese picked up right where he left off, stopping all 23 Norfolk shots he faced, earning the second shutout of his professional career. Franky will likely get to take a breather on Saturday night, as Brian Foster is expected to make his first start in a Wheeling uniform. Foster has played in 165 career games in four different pro leagues, and has 69 ECHL wins to his credit.

Who We're Watching

While there has only been one day of games in the ECHL, the Nailers currently occupy sole possession of the top spot in the North Division, as divisional opponents Toledo, Brampton, and Kalamazoo all fell short in their respective games. The Walleye did pick up a point, as their game with Indy went to a shootout, while the Beast lost in regulation to Manchester, and the Wings dropped a 5-3 decision to Fort Wayne. The top eight teams from each conference will qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2016.

Starting a New History

From 1992-2000, the Norfolk Admirals were known as the Hampton Roads Admirals, and that team had a large amount of success when facing the Wheeling Nailers and Thunderbirds, winning 20 of the 28 regular season games that took place. After a 15-year stint in the AHL, the Admirals have returned to the ECHL, and after Friday night's tilt, Wheeling is looking at a fresh start in renewing the rivalry. The season-opening clash marked the Nailers' fourth ever win at Norfolk Scope Arena, and they will have a chance to leave that venue with a winning record, if Saturday night's game goes their way. Wheeling will make one more trip to Eastern Virginia on November 7th, while the Admirals visit WesBanco Arena on January 3rd and March 13th.

Wheeling Nailers (1-0-0-0, 2 Pts) at Norfolk Admirals (0-1-0-0, 0 Pts)

Nailers at Admirals Game Day Snap Shot

Wheeling Nailers (1-0-0-0, 2 Pts) at Norfolk Admirals (0-1-0-0, 0 Pts)

WHEELING NAILERS

(1-0-0-0, 2 PTS, 1st North, T-1st East)

3 GF, 0 GA

PP: 0.0% (0-for-4), T-13th

PK: 100.0% (3-for-3), T-1st

24-F-Ty Loney (2 goals, 2 points in 1 game)

25-F-John McCarron (2 assists, 2 points in 1 game)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (1 goal, 1 point in 1 game)

21-F-Sahir Gill (1 assist, 1 point in 1 game)

23-F-Riley Brace (1 assist, 1 point in 1 game)

4-D-Paul Cianfrini (1 assist, 1 point in 1 game)

31-G-Brian Foster (23-16-5 record, 2.98 GAA, .901 Sv% in 45 games with Stockton in 2013-14)

NORFOLK ADMIRALS

(0-1-0-0, 0 PTS, T-3rd East, T-7th East)

0 GF, 3 GA

PP: 0.0% (0-for-3), T-13th

PK: 100.0% (4-for-4), T-1st

22-F-Alexis Loiseau (4 shots in 1 game)

27-D-Gabriel Verpaelst (2 shots, 9 PIM in 1 game)

23-F-Michael Pelech (2 shots, 2 PIM in 1 game)

15-F-Greg Chase (2 shots in 1 game)

8-F-Marcus Hinds (2 shots in 1 game)

31-G-Ty Rimmer (34 saves on 36 shots in 1 game)

Head to Head

Season Series: Nailers 1, Admirals 0

Season Series at Norfolk Scope Arena: Nailers 1, Admirals 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 1, Admirals 0

All-Time Series at Norfolk Scope Arena: Nailers 1, Admirals 0

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 17, 2015


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.

Other Recent Wheeling Nailers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central