ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Stingrays Game Day Snap Shot

December 28, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (14-8-0-5, 33 PTS) at South Carolina Stingrays (20-5-1-2, 43 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(14-8-0-5, 33 PTS, 1st Atlantic, T-4th East)

77 GF, 75 GA

PP: 12.0% (12-for-100), 17th

PK: 87.9% (109-for-124), 5th

17-F-Carter Rowney (7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points in 21 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (7 goals, 12 assists, 19 points in 22 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points in 27 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points in 27 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points in 17 games)

29-G-Alex Westlund (0-1-0 record, 3.05 GAA, .914 Sv% in 1 game)

SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS

(20-5-1-2, 43 PTS, 1st South, 1st East)

90 GF, 59 GA

PP: 17.5% (18-for-103), 6th

PK: 85.7% (84-for-98), 13th

26-F-Peter Boyd (7 goals, 15 assists, 22 points in 27 games)

19-F-Wayne Simpson (8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points in 22 games)

22-F-Patrick Gaul (5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points in 25 games)

7-F-Lindsay Sparks (5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points in 17 games)

8-D-Jeremy Price (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 25 games)

35-G-Jeff Jakaitis (15-1-3 record, 1.72 GAA, .938 Sv% in 19 games)

Head-to-Head

2012-13 Season Series: Nailers 1, Stingrays 1

2012-13 Season Series at North Charleston Coliseum: Stingrays 1, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 9, Stingrays 8

All-Time Series at North Charleston Coliseum: Stingrays 5, Nailers 4

No Southern Hospitality in Gwinnett

On Friday night, the Wheeling Nailers returned from the holiday break, as they played their first road game against a South Division opponent. Despite their position in the standings, the Gwinnett Gladiators made life difficult on a pair of division leaders, as the squeaked past South Carolina 3-2 on Thursday, before knocking off the Nailers 4-1 on Friday. Sahir Gill netted his seventh goal of the season for Wheeling, jumping into the top ten in the ECHL in rookie scoring, while Mike Ratchuk moved into a tie for second place in defensive scoring with an assist. Alex Westlund made his season debut, turning aside 32 of the 35 shots he faced.

A Rare Visit from the Atlantic

Saturday night will be the first time that the South Carolina Stingrays face a team from the Atlantic Division since opening weekend, when they split a pair of games against the Reading Royals at Santander Arena. Prior to their upcoming clash with Wheeling, the Stingrays had played each of their last nine games against South Division rivals, going 6-3. South Carolina will play host to Elmira on Tuesday, concluding a brief two-game homestand.

Division Leaders Lock Horns

For the third time this season, the Nailers will be involved in a game featuring a pair of division leaders, as they clash with the Stingrays. Wheeling is at the top of the Atlantic Division, entering play with a 14-8-0-5 record, while South Carolina leads the South Division, entering the contest with a 20-5-1-2 mark. The Stingrays currently own the second best record in the ECHL, trailing only the Ontario Reign, who have 44 points.

Never Lost His Touch

After winning 2011-12 ECHL Goaltender of the Year honors as a member of the Gwinnett Gladiators, Jeff Jakaitis didn't appear in a regular season game last year until the middle of December. However, this season, the 30-year old has quickly regained his form, performing as one of the top netminders in the league. In 19 games with the Stingrays, Jakaitis has posted a remarkable 15-1-3 record, while leading the ECHL with a 1.72 goals against average and a .938 save percentage. On Friday night, Jeff earned his 75th career ECHL win, making 40 saves to defeat the Greenville Road Warriors.

Someone Will Win This Season's Series

The Nailers and Stingrays have split both of their last two season series, but in 2013-14, that won't be an option, as Saturday night's contest is the lone head-to-head meeting on the schedule. After the two sides both won on enemy ice during the 2011-12 campaign, last season was all about home goaltending. On December 29th, Ryan Zapolski stopped all 23 Wheeling shots he faced, for a 3-0 win, before Peter Delmas denied all 20 South Carolina shots he faced, picking up a 5-0 victory on January 13th. Although both clubs have existed for over 20 years, there have only been 17 all-time clashes between the two, with the Nailers currently holding a 9-8 advantage.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 28, 2013


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