ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Walleye Game Day Snap Shot

February 14, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (23-23-0-0, 46 PTS) at Toledo Walleye (28-9-3-2, 61 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(23-23-0-0, 46 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

138 GF, 141 GA

PP: 18.2% (32-for-176), 9th

PK: 84.5% (158-for-187), 8th

23-F-Riley Brace (14 goals, 30 assists, 44 points in 35 games)

16-F-Derek Army (19 goals, 20 assists, 39 points in 46 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (10 goals, 27 assists, 37 points in 33 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points in 43 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (12 goals, 13 assists, 25 points in 38 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points in 41 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 30 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (11-14-0 record, 3.36 GAA, .892 Sv% in 26 games)

TOLEDO WALLEYE

(28-9-3-2, 61 PTS, 2nd North, 4th East)

168 GF, 111 GA

PP: 23.5% (36-for-153), 1st

PK: 87.9% (124-for-141), 2nd

7-F-Tyler Barnes (16 goals, 28 assists, 44 points in 41 games)

11-F-Anthony Luciani (18 goals, 23 assists, 41 points in 41 games)

16-F-Justin Mercier (18 goals, 17 assists, 35 points in 40 games)

9-F-Troy Schwab (9 goals, 24 assists, 33 points in 41 games)

19-F-Martin Frk (18 goals, 13 assists, 31 points in 24 games)

28-F-Kyle Bonis (20 goals, 10 assists, 30 points in 38 games)

24-D-Shane Sims (5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points in 36 games)

1-G-Jeff Lerg (19-5-2 record, 2.43 GAA, .918 Sv% in 26 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Walleye 2, Nailers 1

Season Series at Huntington Center: Walleye 1, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 25, Walleye 21

All-Time Series at Huntington Center: Walleye 12, Nailers 7

No 13th on Friday the 13th

The Wheeling Nailers are in search of their second three-game winning streak of the season, after collecting back-to-back victories on home ice against the Elmira Jackals and Reading Royals. On Friday night, the Nailers brought Reading's 12-game winning streak to an end, defeating the Royals at WesBanco Arena for the fifth time in 2014-15. Jarrett Burton gave Wheeling a 1-0 lead in the first period, before Reading's Cam Reid answered shortly after with a 4-on-3 marker. Michael Caruso put the visitors ahead in the middle frame, but the Nailers were quick to respond with Burton's second goal of the night. The game remained deadlocked until the 3:13 mark of overtime, when Burton set up Riley Brace for the game winner, which was banked in off of goaltender Connor Knapp. Eric Hartzell made 29 saves for his 12th victory of the campaign.

A Frustrating Week Off

The Toledo Walleye have been off for an entire week since they last took the ice on Saturday, February 7th against the Elmira Jackals. That night, Toledo peppered Travis Fullerton with 40 shots on goal, but was only able to find the back of the net twice. Martin Frk scored a power play goal during the first minute of the second period, before Justin Mercier lit the lamp with an even strength tally later in the frame. Those two goals weren't enough to overcome a three-goal output by the Jackals, including Thomas Nesbitt's eventual winning marker at 7:16 of the middle stanza. Jeff Lerg suffered the loss, despite a 34-save effort. The Walleye are currently in the midst of their first multi-game losing streak of the year, having fallen in three consecutive contests.

Hey Overtime, Long Time No See

During the first 46 games of the season, the Nailers have seen nearly all of their tilts decided in regulation. However, on Friday night, they needed to play a few extra minutes for just the third time during the campaign. After going to shootouts in both of their first two trips to bonus hockey, this particular contest got decided during the 4-on-4 session, as Riley Brace snapped the tie at the 3:13 mark, propelling his team to the victory. Wheeling has scored the tying goal to force each of its three overtime games, meaning it has gained six points which otherwise wouldn't have gone its way. Dating back to last season, the Nailers are 7-1 in their last eight games decided during the five-minute stanza. All six overtime goals in 2013-14 were scored by defensemen, making Brace the first forward to end a game since Chris Barton on January 4, 2013. Including the playoffs, Wheeling's last seven overtime wins have been by identical 3-2 final scores.

Burton Stealing Reading's Crown

Jarrett Burton has put together some of his best performances of the season, when the Nailers have taken the ice against the Royals. On Friday night, the rookie out of Clarkson University scored Wheeling's first two goals of the contest, then added an assist on Riley Brace's overtime goal, as he registered his fourth multi-point game of the season. Two of those four tilts have come against Reading, as Burton also had a three-point game in a battle with the Nailers' former division rivals on December 14th. Nine of Jarrett's 17 points in 2014-15 have come in seven games against Reading, as Burton currently ranks tied for sixth on the team in scoring and second among rookies.

Back-to-Back Weeks in T-Town

Saturday night marks the fourth of seven head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Walleye this season, as well as the second of three battles between the two clubs at Huntington Center. The two sides most recently clashed last weekend in Wheeling, when the Nailers secured their first win in three contests during 2014-15, taking down Toledo, 4-1. Riley Brace had two third period goals to add insurance to the victory, after David Gilbert and Chaz Johnson dented the twine during the first two frames. The three games in Northwest Ohio all take place in a span of less than a month, as the Walleye earned a 5-2 win on January 25th, and the Toledo portion of the season series concludes on February 21st. Saturday's North Division showdown will take place on ice which was painted by the fans.

The Monday, February 16th game is a 1:05 face-off against the Elmira Jackals on President's Day. All kids and seniors tickets will be $5. Fans are also invited to stay after the game for a skate.

Elmira returns to town on Friday, February 27th at 7:35 as the Nailers host their annual Wing Fest game. That night will also be a Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway, and Wheeling Island Nailer Night.

Saturday, February 28th is Pink in the Rink, when Wheeling battles Greenville at 7:35 . The Nailers will wear special jerseys, there will be pink rally towels handed out, and autographed mystery pucks will be available for purchase.

Sunday, March 1st wraps up the weekend at 4:05 against the Road Warriors on a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, Oglebay Good Zoo Day, and a post game skate with the team.

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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 14, 2015


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