ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Stingrays Game Day Snap Shot

Published on December 27, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (12-12-0-0, 24 PTS) at South Carolina Stingrays (13-10-1-4, 31 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(12-12-0-0, 24 PTS, T-3rd North, T-9th East)

72 GF, 76 GA

PP: 20.9% (19-for-91), 5th

PK: 84.0% (89-for-106), 10th

16-F-Derek Army (10 goals, 8 assists, 18 points in 24 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (7 goals, 8 assists, 15 points in 24 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points in 12 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points in 16 games)

9-D-David Makowski (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 22 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 23 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (7-8-0 record, 3.50 GAA, .881 Sv% in 15 games)

SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS

(13-10-1-4, 31 PTS, T-5th East, T-7th East)

77 GF, 78 GA

PP: 14.3% (17-for-119), 21st

PK: 86.9% (93-for-107), 5th

19-F-Wayne Simpson (8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points in 28 games)

23-D-Garrett Haar (3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points in 20 games)

18-F-Braden Pimm (7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points in 22 games)

16-F-Cody Sylvester (4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points in 15 games)

13-F-Derek DeBlois (4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points in 25 games)

21-F-Brandon Hynes (4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points in 21 games)

35-G-Jeff Jakaitis (6-1-2 record, 2.18 GAA, .918 Sv% in 9 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 1, Stingrays 0

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

All-Time Series: Nailers 10, Stingrays 9

All-Time Series at North Charleston Coliseum: Stingrays 6, Nailers 5

Second Roadie of the Month

The Wheeling Nailers have spent the majority of December at the friendly confines of WesBanco Arena, with the exception of a quick two-game trip to Reading on the 12th and 13th. On Saturday night, Wheeling will play the first of six consecutive games outside of West Virginia, starting with the first of back-to-back tilts against the South Carolina Stingrays. Prior to the holidays, the Nailers dropped a pair of decisions to the Stingrays' in-state rival, the Greenville Road Warriors. After 1-0 setback on Friday, the two sides battled to a 3-3 deadlock on Saturday, until two late goals by Greenville provided the difference in a 5-3 final score. Derek Army, David Gilbert, and Tyler Murovich were the goal scorers for the home team.

Stinging Their Way Up the Standings

The South Carolina Stingrays had a rough start to the 2014-15 campaign, stumbling out of the gates with a 4-9-4 record in their first 17 games. Since then, South Carolina has turned into one of the hottest clubs in the ECHL, posting a 9-1-1 mark in its last 11 trips to the ice. One of the major reasons for the turnaround has been the performance of reigning ECHL Goaltender of the Year Jeff Jakaitis, who has returned from injury with six wins in his first nine starts, including two shutouts. Last weekend, the Stingrays split a couple of overtime contests against the Orlando Solar Bears, with Orlando taking the opener, 3-2, before South Carolina responded with a 4-3 triumph the following night.

An Even Dozen in the A

Over the past few weeks, the Nailers saw their share of transactions, but nothing came close to the occurrences of the past 36 hours. On Friday morning, Paul Cianfrini (PTO) and Eric Hartzell joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, before Zack Torquato (PTO) and Patrick McGrath (PTO) received phone calls on Friday night. Then, on Saturday morning, Riley Brace received an opportunity, as he was signed to a professional tryout by the Worcester Sharks. Wheeling now has 12 players from the 2014-15 team on active AHL rosters, while 15 total players have spent time at the next level. The Nailers have also seen four players reach the NHL this season (not from this season's Wheeling roster), raising their historical total in that category to 52.

Our Version of Five Guys

With five players making their way to the AHL, five new players are expected to be in Saturday's lineup, repping the black and gold for the Nailers. Goaltender Jeff Wyer (#1) returns for his second stint in Wheeling, after stopping three of four shots on October 24th at Gwinnett. Defenseman Nicholas Kuqali (#32) is also a familiar face, appearing in three games with the Nailers last season and 13 over the course of his ECHL career. Forward Shawn Skelly (#17) is the most experienced of the five, as he has suited up in 74 ECHL games, racking up 20 goals, 25 assists, and 45 points. Forward Matt Harrington (#14) is a fourth year pro, who will get his first taste of the ECHL, after accumulating 90 points in 114 SPHL tilts. Forward Max Gavin (#24) is an Adrian College graduate, who will be making his professional debut, after attending training camp with the Kalamazoo Wings.

Becoming Frequent Visitors

Saturday night marks the second of three head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Stingrays this season, with all three contests taking place at North Charleston Coliseum. From October, 2011 through March, 2014, Wheeling only visited South Carolina once a year, going 1-2-0 in those games. However, things have changed since the start of the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs, as this will serve as the Nailers' fourth game in North Charleston in the past nine months. Wheeling has won each of the previous three tilts, including a 5-1 victory on October 25th. Zach Yuen led the way with two goals that night, while Franky Palazzese made 32 saves between the pipes.

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, a player poster will be given to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, thanks to RSQP Print & Design.

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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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