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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Jackals Game Day Snap Shot

April 1, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (33-30-1-1, 68 PTS) at Elmira Jackals (31-28-0-7, 69 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(33-30-1-1, 68 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

192 GF, 191 GA

PP: 17.2% (43-for-250), 14th

PK: 84.1% (227-for-270), 9th

16-F-Derek Army (26 goals, 34 assists, 60 points in 65 games)

23-F-Riley Brace (18 goals, 42 assists, 60 points in 54 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (17 goals, 39 assists, 56 points in 52 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (16 goals, 21 assists, 37 points in 58 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points in 49 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (16 goals, 10 assists, 26 points in 59 games)

22-D-Clark Seymour (1 goal, 14 assists, 15 points in 53 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (16-12-1 record, 2.63 GAA, .916 Sv% in 29 games)

ELMIRA JACKALS

(31-28-0-7, 69 PTS, 6th East, 9th East)

173 GF, 196 GA

PP: 17.5% (40-for-229), 12th

PK: 79.9% (214-for-268), 25th

10-F-Mike Seidel (21 goals, 18 assists, 39 points in 52 games)

40-F-Taylor Stefishen (15 goals, 23 assists, 38 points in 54 games)

18-F-Ryan Rashid (14 goals, 24 assists, 38 points in 60 games)

21-D-Steven Shamanski (14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points in 64 games)

9-F-Thomas Nesbitt (12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points in 64 games)

20-F-Riley Wetmore (6 goals, 19 assists, 25 points in 54 games)

14-F-Lucas Bloodoff (9 goals, 10 assists, 19 points in 40 games)

32-G-Travis Fullerton (19-9-6 record, 2.68 GAA, .910 Sv% in 38 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 7, Jackals 3

Season Series at First Arena: Nailers 2, Jackals 2

All-Time Series: Nailers 41, Jackals 41

All-Time Series at First Arena: Jackals 26, Nailers 16

Now, That Was a Homestand

The Wheeling Nailers had what was easily their best single weekend of the 2014-15 regular season last week, when they swept three games from the Fort Wayne Komets, Reading Royals, and Cincinnati Cyclones, with all three tilts taking place at WesBanco Arena. In terms of the playoff race, Sunday's victory over the Cyclones proved to be the most important, as it temporarily opened a three-point lead (Cincinnati has since shrunk it back to one) for the final playoff spot in the North Division. That day featured a back-and-forth affair, which saw the lead change hands twice, before Wheeling snatched it for good with two goals in the third period. Sahir Gill led the way with a hat trick and an assist, while Chaz Johnson chipped in with his fourth goal in the last six games. Eric Hartzell earned all three wins over the weekend, stopping 92 of the 97 shots he faced.

The Same Can't Be Said the Other Way

The Elmira Jackals will play the final tilt on Wednesday night, in what has so far been a rather painful seven-game homestand at First Arena. After going 1-1-1 in the first three contests against Toledo and Wheeling, the Jackals were on the wrong side of the scoreboard in all three games last week, falling 7-3 to Fort Wayne, before 5-3 and 3-1 setbacks against Florida. Each of the three defeats followed different scripts, starting with a 5-0 first period deficit against the Komets on Wednesday. Friday's game against the Everblades featured three separate one-goal leads for Elmira, but Florida clawed back each time, before going ahead for the first time with 33 seconds left in regulation. Then, on Saturday, the Everblades broke a 1-1 tie early in the third period, before tacking on an insurance goal in the final minute.

Gill is a Huge Gain

In addition to the tremendous weekend by the team, there was also an individual performance worth nothing, as Sahir Gill earned ECHL Player of the Week honors for his five-goal, nine-point performance in four games. Gill's largest offensive contributions came on Sunday afternoon, when he netted a hat trick, as part of a four-point day against Cincinnati. He was also a key part of Friday's win over Fort Wayne, as he assisted on the tying goal, while scoring the winner. Sahir has spent the majority of the season in the American Hockey League, but when he is in the lineup with the Nailers, the team has a sparkling 13-6-0 record. Cody Wydo's goal and three assists and Derek Army's six points were also worth noting from the homestand.

Limiting Chances Goes a Long Way

During the four-game homestand last week, the Nailers were shorthanded only 12 times, meaning they were on the penalty kill for an average of six minutes per game. That number is a significant drop from the rest of the season, which has seen Wheeling shorthanded for an average of 8:09 per night. Without as much wear and tear having to be used up, the penalty killers turned in a perfect performance, shutting out some of the top power play units in the ECHL in Toledo (1st), Fort Wayne (6th), and Reading (8th), in addition to Cincinnati (26th). Prior to the homestand, the Nailers turned in a 10-for-11 performance in their two-game series against Elmira (12th) in the middle of March. Wheeling's penalty kill has jumped to ninth in the league, while the power play ranks 14th. The Jackals are 25th when playing with a man in the box.

This Place is Looking Familiar Again

Wednesday night marks the 11th of 13 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Jackals this season, as well as the fifth of six battles between the two clubs at First Arena. After facing each other five straight times in West Virginia, this will be the third consecutive clash in New York, following a two-game weekend on March 20th and 21st. Those tilts both featured identical 2-1 scores, with Wheeling taking the opener in a shootout, before Elmira bounced back the following night in regulation. The Nailers have already wrapped up their second straight win in the season series, having won seven of the first ten contests. However, the road portion is still up in the air, as both squads have won twice in Elmira, with Wednesday and April 11th remaining on the docket. The April 11th game will conclude a home-and-home series, while also serving as the Jackals' final game of the regular season.

The Nailers have two home games remaining in the 2014-15 regular season, with a 7:35 tilt against the Evansville IceMen on April 3rd and a 7:35 battle against the Elmira Jackals on April 10th. Both nights will be Flat Screen Fridays, Frosty Fridays, and Player Poster Giveaways, while the regular season home finale will be Fan Appreciation Night.

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.

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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.

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