ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Royals Game Day Snap Shot

Published on December 13, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (11-9-0-0, 22 PTS) at Reading Royals (11-8-1-1, 24 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(11-9-0-0, 22 PTS, 3rd North, 9th East)

65 GF, 66 GA

PP: 23.6% (17-for-72), 3rd

PK: 81.3% (74-for-91), 19th

23-F-Riley Brace (9 goals, 18 assists, 27 points in 19 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (7 goals, 8 assists, 15 points in 15 games)

16-F-Derek Army (7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points in 20 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (6 goals, 7 assists, 13 points in 20 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points in 12 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 19 games)

9-D-David Makowski (1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points in 18 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (7-6-0 record, 3.56 GAA, .878 Sv% in 13 games)

READING ROYALS

(11-8-1-1, 24 PTS, T-5th East, T-7th East)

72 GF, 72 GA

PP: 18.9% (20-for-106), 10th

PK: 80.3% (57-for-71), 22nd

17-F-Adam Hughesman (8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points in 21 games)

28-F-Cam Reid (7 goals, 12 assists, 19 points in 21 games)

27-F-David Marshall (8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points in 19 games)

14-F-Pat Mullane (8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points in 21 games)

16-F-Ryan Cruthers (3 goals, 14 assists, 17 points in 20 games)

13-F-Olivier Labelle (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 21 games)

2-D-Mike Marcou (3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points in 20 games)

1-G-Martin Ouellette (6-4-2 record, 2.94 GAA, .905 Sv% in 12 games)

Head-to-Head

2013-14 Season Series: Nailers 2, Royals 2

2013-14 Season Series at Santander Arena: Royals 2, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Royals 77, Nailers 58

All-Time Series at Santander Arena: Royals 42, Nailers 27

Almost a Comeback for the Ages

The Wheeling Nailers had a frustrating start, but a nearly memorable finish on Friday night, as they played the first of three straight games against the Reading Royals. Wheeling fell behind 4-0 after two periods, before storming back with four goals in the third period, setting the season high for most tallies in a single frame. Unfortunately, Reading picked up a marker early in the third period as well, accounting for the 5-4 final score. The Nailers scored at least one goal of each type, as Paul Cianfrini and Tyler Fernandez found the net at even strength, Zack Torquato scored on the power play, and Tyler Murovich nabbed a shorthanded snipe.

Clinching a Winning Homestand

The Reading Royals will conclude their season long ten-game homestand on Saturday night, and thanks to their win on Friday, they have guaranteed themselves a winning record, having gone 5-3-1 in the first nine tilts. Reading was only able to muster one goal on 14 shots during the first period, but began turning things up in the middle stanza. A pair of power play markers and an even strength tally gave the host Royals a 4-0 advantage after 40 minutes of play, before they completed their victory with one more goal in the third. The line of Brandon Alderson - Ryan Cruthers - Willie Coetzee had the most productive performance, recording nine of the team's 15 points.

Shorthanded Give and Take

At the 11:15 mark of the third period in Friday night's game, Tyler Murovich brought the Nailers within two goals, as he deked around Martin Ouellette for his second marker of the season. The tally gave Wheeling its sixth shorthanded goal of the campaign, tying the Allen Americans for the top spot in the ECHL. Murovich has been involved in the scoring of three of the six, tying Riley Brace for the team lead in shorthanded points. Unfortunately, that was one of the lone bright spots for the penalty kill on Friday, as it also surrendered a pair of goals to the Royals during the second period. Wheeling and Reading are both looking to find their strides when playing a man down, as the two enter Saturday ranked 19th and 22nd respectively on the penalty kill.

They Will Look Ugly

For the second year in a row, the Royals will be wearing ugly Christmas sweaters for one of their home games, and that particular contest will take place on Saturday night against Wheeling. Last season, ugly weather got in the way of the originally scheduled game against the Elmira Jackals, pushing the contest to the following day. Former Nailer Kyle Bushee wasn't exactly in the festive mood that afternoon for the Jackals, as he snapped a 2-2 tie in the second period, lifting his club to victory. This is the second specialty jersey that Reading will wear against the Nailers this season, after donning Halloween jerseys on October 30th.

Sweet Home Ice Advantage

Saturday night marks the fifth of 12 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Royals this season, as well as the third of six battles between the two clubs at Santander Arena. With Friday's win by Reading, the home ice dominance continued in the season series, as the host squad has won all four games in alternating fashion (WHL, REA, WHL, REA). This will be the only time this season that Wheeling will be the road team for consecutive games, while the Royals will make their set of back-to-back trips to WesBanco Arena on February 13th and March 28th. Reading holds a 19-game lead in the historical series, with a 15-game advantage in its own back yard.

The December 14th contest against the Reading Royals is a Family Funday, with $5 kids tickets available, a post game skate with the team, and a visit by the Good Zoo at Oglebay. On December 19th & 20th, Wheeling will host the Greenville Road Warriors. The 19th is a Frosty & Flat Screen Friday, presented by The Highlands & The Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas. There will also be a Max MacKay Poster Giveaway, courtesy of Rich and Shirley's Quick Print of Wheeling. The 20th is a season ticket redemption night and team picture giveaway (holiday edition).

Holiday packs are also available. For $49, fans can purchase the Elf Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a t-shirt, and an autographed puck. For $99, fans can purchase the Reindeer Package, receiving ten ticket vouchers. For $129, fans can purchase the Santa Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a replica jersey, and a Reebok hat.

Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets 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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 13, 2014


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