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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Royals Game Day Snap Shot

January 7, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (14-15-0-0, 28 PTS) at Reading Royals (19-10-1-1, 40 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(14-15-0-0, 28 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

84 GF, 92 GA

PP: 19.6% (21-for-107), 7th

PK: 84.0% (105-for-125), 11th

16-F-Derek Army (10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points in 29 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points in 29 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 17 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points in 28 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points in 21 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points in 17 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (7-5-0 record, 2.67 GAA, .914 Sv% in 12 games)

READING ROYALS

(19-10-1-1, 40 PTS, 3rd East, 5th East)

103 GF, 95 GA

PP: 15.6% (22-for-141), 20th

PK: 82.4% (89-for-108), 16th

14-F-Pat Mullane (11 goals, 19 assists, 30 points in 31 games)

28-F-Cam Reid (11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points in 31 games)

17-F-Adam Hughesman (10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points in 31 games)

27-F-David Marshall (10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points in 29 games)

13-F-Olivier Labelle (10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points in 31 games)

2-D-Mike Marcou (3 goals, 15 assists, 18 points in 30 games)

1-G-Martin Ouellette (10-5-2 record, 2.70 GAA, .913 Sv% in 17 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 3, Royals 3

Season Series at Santander Arena: Royals 3, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Royals 78, Nailers 59

All-Time Series at Santander Arena: Royals 43, Nailers 27

A Repeat of History Fell Short

The Wheeling Nailers split their two games last weekend, nearly pulling off back-to-back three-goal comebacks. On Friday night, the Nailers fell behind the Fort Wayne Komets, 3-0 and 4-1, but rallied from behind to steal two points, thanks to a 5-4 shootout victory at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Saturday night's tilt in Cincinnati saw a similar start, as Wheeling trailed the Cyclones 3-0 in the middle frame. David Gilbert and Chaz Johnson brought the Nailers within a goal, but the visitors couldn't quite muster the equalizer, giving them a 2-3-0 record in the first five contests of their season long six-game road trip, which concludes on Wednesday.

Royally Flushing the Opposition

The Reading Royals ended the month of December in dominant fashion, winning eight of their last ten games in the 2014 calendar year. Last weekend, the Royals picked up where they left off, opening January with a pair of wins. On Friday night, Reading erased a 1-0 deficit with two quick goals in the second period, coming back to defeat the Evansville IceMen, 3-1. One night later, the Royals picked up a second straight 3-1 victory, as Sean Wiles broke a 1-1 deadlock late in the middle frame, and Bryant Molle added an empty net tally, helping Reading knock off the Indy Fuel. Six different players lit the lamp in the two triumphs, and both goaltenders (Connor Knapp on Friday, Martin Ouellette on Saturday) earned wins.

Johnson Jumpstarting the Offense

After getting off to a bit of a slow start with two goals in his first 25 games, Chaz Johnson has seen a drastic rise in his offensive productivity over the past week. The tenth year veteran has turned on the red light four times in his last three games, joining Derek Army as the only Wheeling player to score at least one goal in three consecutive contests this season. Last Friday in Fort Wayne, Johnson tallied his 150th goal and 300th point, as the Nailers snared their fourth comeback victory of the campaign. Wheeling is 4-1-0 this season when Chaz scores at least one goal, and 7-2-0 when he registers at least one point.

Balance at the Top and Bottom

With his empty net tally to secure Reading's 3-1 win on Saturday, Bryant Molle became the 22nd different member of the Royals to score a goal during the 2014-15 regular season. It also ensured that all 17 players on the team's active roster have dented the twine at least once. While Reading's depth in scoring is impressive, perhaps a more impressive set of numbers can be found at the top of stat sheet. Five different Royals (Mullane, Reid, Hughesman, Marshall, Labelle) have reached double digits in goals, while six players (five previous, plus Cruthers) have gathered at least 20 points. That offensive output has helped Reading post a 10-2-0 record in its last 12 contests, while becoming one of six Eastern Conference clubs to have scored at least 100 goals.

First Half Was All Home

Wednesday night marks the seventh of 12 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Royals this season, as well as the fourth of six battles between the two clubs at Santander Arena. The home team has been perfect in the first six clashes of the campaign, with each side coming away victorious on three occasions. During December, Wheeling and Reading collided for three consecutive games, which were all decided by one goal. The Royals got the upper hand 5-4 and 2-1 on the 12th and 13th, before the Nailers rebounded for a 3-2 triumph on the 14th. Reading's Ryan Cruthers leads all players with seven points in the season series, while current Worcester Shark Riley Brace leads Wheeling with six points.

The Nailers will have a three-game homestand from January 9th-11th.

Reading comes to town on the 9th for Faith & Family Night, which will also be a Flat Screen Friday, courtesy of The Highlands, as well as the Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas. In addition, an Eric Hartzell poster will be given to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, thanks to RSQP Print & Design. As part of Faith & Family Night, the Chrisagis Brothers will perform in a post game concert.

Elmira is the opposition on the 10th, as the Nailers will be holding a Princess Party from 6-7. Only 100 tickets are available for the party. That game will also be the annual Girl Scout Night.

Finally, Indy pays a visit on the 11th for a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and another Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

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.

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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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