Nailers at IceMen Game Day Snap Shot
March 10, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers (27-27-1-0, 55 PTS) at Evansville IceMen (14-35-5-3, 36 PTS)
WHEELING NAILERS
(27-27-1-0, 55 PTS, 6th North, 12th East)
162 GF, 167 GA
PP: 16.8% (37-for-220), 16th
PK: 83.6% (194-for-232), 12th
23-F-Riley Brace (16 goals, 37 assists, 53 points in 44 games)
16-F-Derek Army (22 goals, 24 assists, 46 points in 55 games)
15-F-Zack Torquato (12 goals, 33 assists, 45 points in 42 games)
12-F-David Gilbert (13 goals, 18 assists, 31 points in 50 games)
20-F-Jarrett Burton (10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points in 39 games)
98-F-Chaz Johnson (11 goals, 8 assists, 19 points in 49 games)
9-D-David Makowski (6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points in 34 games)
30-G-Eric Hartzell (12-10-1 record, 2.74 GAA, .909 Sv% in 23 games)
EVANSVILLE ICEMEN
(14-35-5-3, 36 PTS, 7th North, 14th East)
144 GF, 208 GA
PP: 13.1% (27-for-206), 27th
PK: 83.0% (190-for-229), 14th
22-F-Braden Pimm (20 goals, 18 assists, 38 points in 50 games)
10-F-Robin Soudek (17 goals, 15 assists, 32 points in 47 games)
32-F-Jarret Lukin (10 goals, 19 assists, 29 points in 47 games)
16-F-Myles Bell (9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points in 35 games)
92-F-Peter Sakaris (9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points in 49 games)
8-D-Brandon Martell (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 55 games)
12-F-Colin Murray (10 goals, 6 assists, 16 points in 43 games)
35-G-Branden Komm (3-4-2 record, 3.04 GAA, .912 Sv% in 12 games)
Head-to-Head
Season Series: IceMen 2, Nailers 0
Season Series at Ford Center: IceMen 2, Nailers 0
All-Time Series: IceMen 5, Nailers 4
All-Time Series at Ford Center: IceMen 4, Nailers 0
Not the Start They Wanted
The Wheeling Nailers were unable to secure their second three-game winning streak of the season, as they played the middle tilt in a three-game road trip on Sunday afternoon against the Evansville IceMen. The first period was where the trouble occurred for Wheeling, as the IceMen opened up a 2-0 advantage, while outshooting the Nailers, 14-7. Justin MacDonald and Thomas Frazee scored the goals less than two minutes apart from each other. Derek Army brought the visitors within a goal at the 19:55 mark of the third period, but unfortunately, that did not give Wheeling enough time to produce an equalizer, as Evansville prevailed, 2-1.
Komm was King of the Crease
The Evansville IceMen picked up their 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon, thanks to an incredible goaltending performance by Branden Komm. The rookie out of Bentley University put together his best performance as a pro, turning aside 40 of the 41 shots directed his way by the Nailers. After only needing to make seven saves during the first period, Wheeling turned on the pressure in the middle frame, collecting a season-high 22 attempts. However, Komm continued to keep the zero on the scoreboard. It wasn't until the 41st shot of the day that the Evansville backstop was solved for the first time, when Derek Army's backhand got past his right arm. Prior to Sunday, both of Komm's previous ECHL triumphs had come against the Kalamazoo Wings.
Kept it Going in the Dying Seconds
In addition to the Nailers avoiding the shutout on Sunday afternoon, three members of the team made sure that their point streaks continued, when the deficit was trimmed to one during the final five seconds of regulation. Derek Army's team-leading 22nd goal of the season gave him tallies in back-to-back games, in addition to a three-game point streak. Zack Torquato and Riley Brace were given the assists on the play, with Torquato extending his point streak to five, and Brace extending his assist streak to five games and point streak to seven games. The seven-game point streak by Brace is the new high-water mark for Wheeling in 2014-15, while the five-game assist streak matches a pair of streaks achieved by himself and Torquato earlier in the season.
A Huge Game in Hand
Entering Tuesday night, the Nailers have played in 55 games during the 2014-15 regular season - at least one fewer than each of the three teams they are battling with for playoff positioning. On Monday, the Cincinnati Cyclones dropped a 2-0 decision at Orlando, leaving them with 58 points in 56 games. The Kalamazoo Wings have 59 points in 56 games, and will play game 57 on Wednesday night, when they make up a postponed contest against Fort Wayne from Saturday night. The Indy Fuel have played the most games out of the four, as they have earned 56 points in 57 games. Wheeling and Evansville are the only Eastern Conference teams that will take the ice on Tuesday, increasing the importance of the game for the Nailers, who enter play with a 27-27-1 mark, good for 55 points.
Third Time Would be Charming
Tuesday night marks the third of four head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and IceMen this season, as well as the third and final battle between the two clubs at Ford Center. Wheeling will be looking to capitalize on its final visit of the campaign to Evansville, as it is still in search of its first ever win at Ford Center, with Tuesday serving as its fifth visit all-time. The Nailers will also be hoping to turn the season series around, after falling in the first two games, with one home contest remaining against the IceMen on April 3rd. With Sunday's win, Evansville took a 5-4 lead all-time, as it has the only road win in nine head-to-head clashes - a 6-3 victory at WesBanco Arena last December 20th.
The Nailers next homestand will take place from March 13th-17th.
Friday the 13th will be a 7:35 face-off in a key North Divsion tilt against the Kalamazoo Wings. One lucky fan will leave with a new TV on Flat Screen Friday, while 2,000 fans will get a free player poster. That night will also be a Frosty Friday.
On Saturday the 14th, the Stanley Cup comes to WesBanco Arena, as Wheeling faces Elmira at 7:35. Three other NHL trophies will be on display on Memorabilia Night, which will also feature a trading card set giveaway and post game autograph session. The Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot will be at the game as well.
Tuesday the 17th is a 7:05 clash with the Toledo Walleye on St. Patrick's Day. Kids tickets will be $5.
Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.
ECHL Stories from March 10, 2015
- Second Period Surge Sends Nailers Past IceMen - Evansville IceMen
- Allen Slips by Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Weekly Weather Report: the Weekly News and Notes of the Stockton Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Dodgers V Angels Batting Helmet Giveaway Friday at Condors Game - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - March 10 - ECHL
- K-Wings Play Komets Tomorrow in Rescheduled Game - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- Jackals Weekly - Elmira Jackals
- Mallards, Genesis Partner for Fan-Designed Game Worn Jersey Auction Saturday - Quad City Mallards
- Rioux Called up by Iowa Wild - Quad City Mallards
- Robinson Named ECHL Player of the Week - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho's Robinson Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
- Scott Arnold Returns to Gwinnett - Atlanta Gladiators
- Nightingale Returns to Walleye - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers at IceMen Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Crandall Named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week - Colorado Eagles
- Colorado's Crandall Named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Americans Open Three Game Series in Rapid City - Allen Americans
- Road Warriors Weekly Report - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Defenseman Maxim Lamarche Recalled to Lehigh Valley - Reading Royals
- Arseneau Recalled, Traded to AHL Worcester - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Today - March 10 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Beat Ontario 4-3 to Take 2 of 3 - Utah Grizzlies
- Steelheads Salvage Standings Point in OT Loss - Idaho Steelheads
- Reign Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Grizzlies - Ontario Reign
- Currie Wins It in Overtime for Bakersfield, 4-3 - Bakersfield Condors
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.
