ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Walleye Game Day Snap Shot

February 21, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (23-24-0-0, 46 PTS) at Toledo Walleye (31-10-3-2, 67 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(23-24-0-0, 46 PTS, T-5th North, T-11th East)

140 GF, 146 GA

PP: 18.1% (33-for-182), 11th

PK: 84.5% (163-for-193), 8th

23-F-Riley Brace (14 goals, 30 assists, 44 points in 36 games)

16-F-Derek Army (19 goals, 20 assists, 39 points in 47 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points in 34 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points in 44 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points in 31 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points in 42 games)

14-D-Tristin Llewellyn (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points in 41 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (12-9-0 record, 2.57 GAA, .915 Sv% in 21 games)

TOLEDO WALLEYE

(31-10-3-2, 67 PTS, 2nd North, 4th East)

180 GF, 118 GA

PP: 22.2% (37-for-167), 1st

PK: 87.9% (138-for-157), 2nd

7-F-Tyler Barnes (16 goals, 30 assists, 46 points in 45 games)

11-F-Anthony Luciani (19 goals, 26 assists, 45 points in 45 games)

16-F-Justin Mercier (18 goals, 19 assists, 37 points in 44 games)

9-F-Troy Schwab (9 goals, 25 assists, 34 points in 44 games)

10-F-Shane Berschbach (9 goals, 23 assists, 32 points in 39 games)

23-F-Alden Hirschfeld (7 goals, 20 assists, 27 points in 34 games)

24-D-Shane Sims (5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points in 40 games)

1-G-Jeff Lerg (22-5-2 record, 2.31 GAA, .922 Sv% in 29 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Walleye 3, Nailers 1

Season Series at Huntington Center: Walleye 2, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 25, Walleye 22

All-Time Series at Huntington Center: Walleye 13, Nailers 7

A Week to Seek Revenge

The Wheeling Nailers experienced their longest stretch of the regular season without a game, as they had six full days off since they last took the ice. That last contest took place exactly one week ago, when they played what turned out to be the first of back-to-back tilts against the Toledo Walleye at Huntington Center. After falling behind 2-0, Wheeling rallied back to square the score, as Jean-Sebastien Dea capitalized off of a turnover in the first period, before Morgan Ellis found the net from the middle of the blueline for a power play goal in the second. The key moments of the game occurred during the first minute of the third period, when Martin Frk and Kyle Bonis put the Walleye ahead, 4-2, in a game they ultimately won, 5-2.

No Rest for Weary Walleye

The Toledo Walleye have taken a much different path than the Nailers over the course of the last week, as Saturday night will serve as their fifth game in the last eight days. On Sunday afternoon, Frederick Gaudreau broke a 2-2 tie midway through the third period, lifting the Cincinnati Cyclones to a 3-2 win at US Bank Arena. However, the Walleye responded this week, starting with a 2-1 shootout triumph in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, which was backstopped by Jeff Lerg's 28 saves during the game and five stops during the shootout. On Friday night, Lerg earned his third straight win, turning away 29 Cincinnati shots, as Toledo avenged the previous defeat with a 3-1 victory on home ice.

A Helping Hand From Torquato

Forward Zack Torquato enters Saturday's game having dished out at least one assist in each of Wheeling's last five games, starting with the February 6th contest against the Walleye. The five-game assist streak matches Riley Brace's season-high, and the five-game point streak is one off of the marks set by Brace and Derek Army (twice). The fourth year Nailer has racked up ten goals, 28 assists, and 38 points in 34 games, placing him third on the team in scoring, while his 1.12 points per game are the second most on the squad, trailing only Brace (1.22). In his career, Torquato has 157 points in a Wheeling uniform - one back of Brendon Hodge, who ranks eighth all-time.

20 Club Joins Grand Rapids

With 180 goals in 46 games, the Walleye are tied for second in the Eastern Conference in scoring, along with the Fort Wayne Komets, although Toledo enters play on Saturday with the fewest games played in the ECHL. Since the teams last met up a week ago, the Walleye lost both of their leading goal scorers to the American Hockey League, as Kyle Bonis (23) and Martin Frk (21) joined the Grand Rapids Griffins. Toledo still boasts three other players who have reached double digits in the goal column, while rookie Tyler Barnes is the team leader in points with 46. Defense has also been a strength for the Walleye in 2014-15, as they lead the league with 118 goals allowed, which is ten fewer than second place South Carolina.

Will the Third Trip be the Charm

Saturday night marks the fifth of seven head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Walleye this season, as well as the third and final battle between the two clubs at Huntington Center. The first two clashes that have taken place in Northwest Ohio have seen identical 5-2 final scores in favor of Toledo, with the Walleye scoring five of their ten goals during the two first periods. Wheeling's lone triumph in the first four games came on Februry 6th at WesBanco Arena, when it prevailed, 4-1. Huntington Center is one of three buildings where the Nailers have yet to record a victory this season, with Ford Center (EVN) and Santander Arena (REA) serving as the only two others. With Kyle Bonis currently in Grand Rapids (AHL), Toledo's Alden Hirschfeld is the active leading scorer in the season series, having accumulated five points (all assists) in the four matches.

The Nailers will play three games during the weekend of February 27th-March 1st .

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. That day will also be the annual Pucks & Paws Day, when fans are invited to bring their dogs and cats to the game.

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 21, 2015


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