ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Jackals Game Day Snap Shot

Published on January 4, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (15-10-0-5, 35 PTS) at Elmira Jackals (9-16-2-2, 22 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(15-10-0-5, 35 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 6th East)

81 GF, 84 GA

PP: 12.4% (13-for-105), 18th

PK: 85.8% (115-for-134), 11th

21-F-Sahir Gill (7 goals, 14 assists, 21 points in 25 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points in 29 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points in 30 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points in 20 games)

19-F-Scott Zurevinski (5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points in 23 games)

22-F-Jack MacLellan (6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points in 14 games)

29-G-Mathieu Corbeil (3-1-0 record, 2.22 GAA, .917 Sv% in 5 games)

ELMIRA JACKALS

(9-16-2-2, 22 PTS, 3rd Atlantic, 13th East)

69 GF, 96 GA

PP: 13.4% (13-for-97), 16th

PK: 83.2% (79-for-95), 18th

16-F-Jordan Pietrus (4 goals, 15 assists, 19 points in 29 games)

27-F-Rob Bellamy (8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points in 29 games)

72-F-Jakub Culek (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points 23 games)

19-F-Danny Hobbs (8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points in 29 games)

17-F-Matt Carter (8 goals, 6 assists, 14 points in 28 games)

7-D-Kyle Bushee (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points in 26 games)

31-G-Scott Greenham (5-8-2 record, 2.92 GAA, .914 Sv% in 16 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 6, Jackals 1

Season Series at First Arena: Nailers 2, Jackals 0

All-Time Series: Jackals 36, Nailers 28

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Jackals 22, Nailers 10

Defensemen Stepping Up in Overtime

On Friday night, the Wheeling Nailers picked up their fourth overtime victory in as many tries, when they defeated the Elmira Jackals, 3-2 at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling wasted little time in lighting the lamp during the extra session, as Myles Harvey scored just 20 seconds in, marking the fastest goal for the Nailers to start a period this season. In an interesting twist, all four overtime goals by Wheeling have been netted by defensemen, as Mike Ratchuk had scored each of the first three, before Harvey's tally. Prior to this season, Kyle Bushee was the last Nailers defenseman to score in overtime, when he gave Wheeling a 2-1 win over South Carolina in game two of the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Power Play is Clutch

While their penalty kill was a major reason for their success during their 12-game point streak, the Nailers' power play has provided a pair of clutch goals lately, helping to deliver a pair of victories. On December 21st, Wheeling trailed Evansville 2-1 at WesBanco Arena, before Scott Zurevinski notched a power play goal with nine seconds to go in the third period, forcing bonus hockey. The Nailers ultimately won that game 3-2. On Friday night, the man advantage occurred with eight seconds remaining in the third period, setting up Myles Harvey's power play marker at the 20-second mark of overtime.

Seven Straight, Thanks to the Last Shot

With seven games in the books in their 2013-14 season series, the Nailers and Jackals are still perfect when being outshot by their opposition. On Friday night, that trend nearly came to an end, but Wheeling scored the overtime winner on its 35th shot of the contest, while Elmira had 36 shots on the board. Mathieu Corbeil arrived from AHL Utica earlier in the day for the Nailers, before stopping 34 of those 36 shots, earning his third win of the season. 30 of the Jackals' 36 attempts came after the first period, as Wheeling had jumped out to a 15-6 advantage in that category. Scott Greenham made 32 saves on 35 shots for Elmira.

Everybody Getting to Know Each Other

Thus far this season, the Nailers have had 32 skaters and five goaltenders appear in at least one game, giving them a total of 37 players on the roster. 35 of those 37 have suited up against Elmira, as Shane Bakker, Jacob Lagace, and Gentry Zollars took the ice on Friday night. The only two members of the 2013-14 squad who have not played against the Jackals this season are goaltenders Brooks Ostergard and Alex Westlund. On the other side, Wheeling has seen 31 of the 35 players on Elmira's roster, missing out on Justin Gvora, Harry Radovich, Buddy Robinson, and Russ Stein.

Bested Them at the Bank

Thanks to Friday night's victory, the Nailers have secured a winning record against the Jackals at WesBanco Arena for the fourth consecutive season. Wheeling is now 4-1-0 on its home ice in the season series, with just two contests remaining. On Saturday night, the two teams will lock horns at First Arena in Elmira, where the Nailers will be in search of their third win in as many visits. A Wheeling triumph would put the Nailers one win away from clinching the 2013-14 season series, as they enter Saturday with a 6-1-0 mark, with eight clashes remaining.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 4, 2014


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.

OurSports Central