ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

November 27, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING NAILERS

(8-5-0-2, 18 PTS, 2nd Atlantic, T-6th East)

43 GF, 40 GA

PP: 8.2% (4-for-49), 21st

PK: 91.2% (62-for-68), 2nd

15-F-Zack Torquato (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points in 15 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points in 10 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points in 15 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points in 15 games)

10-F-Anton Zlobin (2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points in 5 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points in 5 games)

1-G-Mike Condon (6-3-1 record, 2.28 GAA, .929 Sv% in 10 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES

(10-5-0-0, 20 PTS, 1st North, 4th East)

54 GF, 44 GA

PP: 10.1% (7-for-69), 17th

PK: 84.4% (38-for-45), 16th

17-F-Vinny Saponari (1 goal, 10 assists, 11 points in 14 games)

63-F-Barry Almeida (7 goals, 3 assists, 10 points in 15 games)

11-F-Anthony Luciani (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points in 13 games)

25-F-Paul Crowder (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points in 15 games)

15-F-John McFarland (7 goals, 2 assists, 9 points in 13 games)

4-D-Taylor Aronson (3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points in 13 games)

30-G-Michael Houser (2-2-0 record, 2.23 GAA, .930 Sv% in 4 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 1, Cyclones 1

Season Series at US Bank Arena: Nailers 1, Cyclones 1

All-Time Series: Nailers 49, Cyclones 48

All-Time Series at US Bank Arena: Cyclones 27, Nailers 23

The Streak Continued and the Slump Ended

The Wheeling Nailers and Cincinnati Cyclones are meeting for the second consecutive game, following a 4-2 victory by the Nailers in Cincinnati on Sunday. The win extended Wheeling's unbeaten streak in regulation to six games, as the team improves to 5-0-1 during that span, and 7-2-2 since starting the season 1-3-0. At the same time, the Nailers put an end to a nine-game winless streak against the Cyclones, including seven straight setbacks at US Bank Arena, dating back to February 4th, 2011. The win was the first in Cincinnati under Clark Donatelli's direction as head coach.

A Special Victory

While their penalty kill has consistently been one of the best in the league in the early part of the season, the Nailers have had their struggles on the power play. However, on Sunday afternoon, both of Wheeling's special teams provided the difference in the contest. Both they and the Cyclones netted a pair of even strength tallies, but a shorthanded goal and a power play goal in the second period lifted the visiting Nailers to a 4-2 lead, and ultimately a win by that same score. The shorthanded marker was Wheeling's first of the season, to go along with a 7-for-7 effort on the kill, as the team improved to 91.2%, when playing at least one man down.

200 Was Memorable for Torquato

Forward Zack Torquato appeared in his 200th professional game on Sunday, tallying a pair of goals, including the game winning marker in the early stages of the middle frame. Torquato's performance in Cincinnati capped off a stellar week, as the Sault Ste. Marie, ON native accumulated three goals, four assists, and seven points in three games, earning his first ever ECHL Player of the Week honors. Zack enters Wednesday night's tilt with a five-game point streak, and currently leads Wheeling with 17 points in 15 games. Prior to Torquato, the last Nailer to win ECHL Player of the Week was Chris Barton, in November, 2011.

Rowney Up, Mulvey & Fernandez Return

On Tuesday, the Nailers saw another of their players reach the American Hockey League, as forward Carter Rowney was recalled by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Rowney, who had six goals and 13 points in 15 games with Wheeling, will become the seventh member of the 2013-14 Nailers to play in both the ECHL and AHL, once he makes his debut, which could come as early as Wednesday at Adirondack. In addition, Wheeling did some shuffling of its own, bringing back forward Colin Mulvey, who had one goal in two games, along with forward Tyler Fernandez who had five goals and 11 points in 12 games with the SPHL's Peoria Rivermen.

Winning on the Road

Wednesday night will be the fourth game of a five-game road trip for Wheeling, which has posted a 2-0-1 mark in its first three contests away from WesBanco Arena. That stretch gives the Nailers a 4-3-2 record on enemy ice this season, marking the first time since the end of the 2011-12 campaign that the team has had a road record over .500. Wheeling can earn its fifth road win of the season on Wednesday - an achievement that didn't occur last season until February 18th. The Nailers have already guaranteed a winning record in November, going 7-3-2, with three games remaining.

Pink In the Rink Saturday November 30th

The Nailers, OVMC, and Bordas & Bordas Law have teamed up with Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness to present the 2013 Pink in the Rink game on Saturday November 30th. Proceeds from special Pink Ticket packages and the Pink jersey auction will go to help in the fight against breast cancer.

Pink Ticket packages include a game ticket and a special Nailers Pink Puck for just $15.50.

For more information or to order your Pink Ticket package call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL.

Holiday Packs On Sale Now

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the sports fan in your life? The Nailers Holiday Packs are for you! Choose from three different packages starting at just $50.

Elf Package - $50

Four (4) Nailers Ticket VouchersYour Choice of a Nailers autographed puck or T-ShirtReindeer Package- $75

Four (4) Nailers Ticket VouchersNailers Reebok HatNailers T-ShirtAutographed Puck

Santa Package- $105

Ten (10) Nailers Ticket Vouchers

WWE Superstar Sgt. Slaughter, Saturday December 7th

On Saturday December 7th, the Wheeling Nailers and your local McDonald's present Boy Scout night 2013 with special guest WWE Superstar Sgt. Slaughter.

Nailers fans will be able to get autographs and pictures with the Sarge during the game.

McDonald's is offering a special ticket for fans that night. Purchase the FANtastic group or family pack and receive a free McDonald's value meal as well as a Nailers ball cap for as low as $13.50 a ticket.

For more information or to order your FANtastic package call 304-234-GOAL.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 27, 2013


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