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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

March 18, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Money in the Overtime

The Wheeling Nailers took a few more minutes than usual to earn a victory on Thursday night, but the ending was certainly worth the wait. After a scoreless first period, Wheeling got on the scoreboard first at the 1:59 mark of the middle frame, when James Melindy followed up his initial shot from the right point, drilling a slap shot past a surprised Brad Thiessen. Cincinnati battled back to square the score a few seconds shy of the midway mark of the second period, before the defenses took over, keeping the game deadlocked through regulation. At the 2:47 mark of the extra session, the Nailers got to celebrate, as Cody Wydo spun away from a check and set up Mathew Maione for a one-timer, which he converted from the right circle for the 2-1 triumph. Brian Foster made his first start as a visitor at US Bank Arena, turning away 21 of 22 shots for the win, including a third period breakaway.

One Goal Leads to One Point

The Cincinnati Cyclones came away with one point on Thursday night, as they continue their fight for positioning in the Western Conference Standings. After falling behind early in the second period, the home team responded at the 9:13 mark, when Tommy Mele threw a punishing hit, freeing up the puck for Jack Downing in the slot. Downing marched in alone, and potted his league-leading 28th goal of the campaign. Cincinnati had a phenomenal chance to take its first lead with less than five minutes to go, when Christiaan Minella went on a breakaway after leaving the penalty box. However, the shot was stopped, ultimately forcing overtime, and the Nailers prevailed. Brad Thiessen was the netminder for the Cyclones, as his 29 saves helped his club earn at least one point for the 13th time in his 17 decisions.

Dominant Defense Does it Again

Over the course of the last five games, Wheeling's opponents have had an extremely difficult time getting shots on goal through to the netminders, as the Nailers have posted some terrific performances in the defensive zone. On Thursday night, Wheeling surrendered nine shots each in the first and second periods, then really tightened things up, as the Cyclones mustered just four shots on goal during the final 22:47 of play. Those numbers added up to 22 overall shots for Cincinnati, marking the fifth consecutive time that the Nailers held the opposition to 25 shots or fewer (14 vs. BRM, 25 vs. TOL, 20 vs. KAL, 23 vs. NOR). During that time, Wheeling has reached the 30-shot plateau on three occasions, including Thursday, when it attempted 31 shots on goal against the Cyclones.

We Don't Mind Extra Time

While regulation is obviously the preferred method of winning games, the Nailers have had great success in the five-minute overtime, especially since the calendar turned to 2016. Wheeling lost its first two contests that were settled in the sudden death period, but has drastically turned it around since, coming out victorious in five straight trips to the extra period. Mathew Maione became the fifth different Nailer to score an overtime goal in 2015-16, joining Andrew Cerretani, Derek Army, Cody Wydo, and Adam Krause. In doing so, he also became the first Wheeling defenseman to score in the bonus stanza since Dustin Stevenson nearly two years to the date earlier on March 16th, 2014. Each of the last four triumphs in overtime have come on the road. The Nailers are more than happy to settle the score prior to a shootout, as they have gone 0-4 in the three-shooter competition.

A Surprising First in 13 Years

Friday night marks the fourth and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the third battle at US Bank Arena. Wheeling clinched its first season series victory since 2010-11 on Thursday, when it defeated Cincinnati for the third time. All three wins have been decided by two goals or fewer, as the Nailers collected a 7-5 triumph at home, in addition to 3-1 and 2-1 victories on the road. Thursday was the 114th all-time regular season game between the two former division rivals, and oddly enough, it was the first time Wheeling knocked off the Cyclones during the five-minute overtime period. Prior to Thursday, the two squads had skated past regulation on 17 occasions, with shootouts being required in all but three. The Nailers will have a chance to sweep Cincinnati for the first time ever on Friday. The Cyclones swept a five-game set from Wheeling in 2012-13.

Wheeling Nailers (32-23-2-4, 70 Pts.) at Cincinnati Cyclones (32-22-4-3, 71 Pts.)

WHEELING NAILERS

(32-23-2-4, 70 PTS, 2nd North, T-6th East)

186 GF, 182 GA

PP: 16.6% (37-for-223), 14th

PK: 84.3% (198-for-235), 15th

23-F-Riley Brace (22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points in 45 games)

18-D-Mathew Maione (9 goals, 37 assists, 46 points in 59 games)

11-F-Cody Wydo (21 goals, 22 assists, 43 points in 48 games)

25-F-John McCarron (8 goals, 14 assists, 22 points in 40 games)

17-F-Jordan Kwas (6 goals, 16 assists, 22 points in 49 games)

27-D-Brett Stern (6 goals, 16 assists, 22 points in 61 games)

31-G-Brian Foster (9-7-2 record, 2.66 GAA, .908 Sv% in 18 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES

(32-22-4-3, 71 PTS, 2nd Midwest, T-5th West)

184 GF, 165 GA

PP: 16.2% (38-for-234), 17th

PK: 82.4% (168-for-204), 20th

19-F-Jack Downing (28 goals, 26 assists, 54 points in 61 games)

24-F-Zach Budish (23 goals, 28 assists, 51 points in 58 games)

40-F-Nick Huard (17 goals, 26 assists, 43 points in 61 games)

18-F-Tommy Mele (20 goals, 18 assists, 38 points in 63 games)

51-F-Colin Mulvey (16 goals, 16 assists, 32 points in 51 games)

28-D-Garrett Noonan (7 goals, 25 assists, 32 points in 44 games)

39-G-Brad Thiessen (9-4-4 record, 1.88 GAA, .934 Sv% in 18 games)

Head to Head

Season Series: Nailers 3, Cyclones 0

Season Series at US Bank Arena: Nailers 2, Cyclones 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 59, Cyclones 55

All-Time Series at US Bank Arena: Cyclones 30, Nailers 28

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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