ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers at Wings Game Day Snap Shot

January 31, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (20-20-0-0, 40 PTS) at Kalamazoo Wings (18-16-1-2, 39 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(20-20-0-0, 40 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

121 GF, 127 GA

PP: 19.1% (29-for-152), 8th

PK: 84.4% (141-for-167), 7th

23-F-Riley Brace (11 goals, 27 assists, 38 points in 29 games)

16-F-Derek Army (17 goals, 17 assists, 34 points in 40 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (10 goals, 23 assists, 33 points in 28 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (12 goals, 15 assists, 27 points in 37 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (12 goals, 11 assists, 23 points in 32 games)

14-D-Tristin Llewellyn (4 goals, 11 assists, 15 points in 34 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (8 goals, 6 assists, 14 points in 35 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (10-13-0 record, 3.44 GAA, .890 Sv% in 24 games)

KALAMAZOO WINGS

(18-16-1-2, 39 PTS, 5th North, 11th East)

108 GF, 112 GA

PP: 14.9% (20-for-134), 19th

PK: 86.9% (126-for-145), 3rd

18-F-Curtis Valk (11 goals, 19 assists, 30 points in 31 games)

15-F-Eric Kattelus (5 goals, 21 assists, 26 points in 26 games)

7-F-Dane Fox (12 goals, 20 assists, 22 points in 35 games)

4-D-Sacha Guimond (3 goals, 18 assists, 21 points in 37 games)

84-F-Matt Caria (12 goals, 8 assists, 20 points in 30 games)

23-F-Ludwig Blomstrand (10 goals, 10 assists, 20 points in 25 games)

21-F-Lane Scheidl (8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points in 37 games)

49-G-Joel Martin (13-9-2 record, 2.64 GAA, .912 Sv% in 26 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 1, Wings 0

Season Series at Wings Stadium: Nailers 1, Wings 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 14, Wings 14

All-Time Series at Wings Stadium: Nailers 7, Wings 6

We're Seeing 20-20

The Wheeling Nailers evened their season record at 20-20-0 on Friday night, as they opened a two-game weekend series against the Kalamazoo Wings with a 4-1 victory at Wings Stadium. Wheeling's biggest strength in the win was capitalizing off of Kalamazoo mistakes, as each of the Nailers' first three goals came off of turnovers. Zack Torquato stole the puck to set up Morgan Ellis for the first marker of the evening, before another interception helped him set up David Gilbert in the third period. Riley Brace and Ellis added empty net tallies in the final minute, while Franky Palazzese made 32 saves for his tenth win as a pro.

Short Scare to Start the Third

The Kalamazoo Wings saw their season best nine-game point streak come to an end on Friday night, as they suffered their first regulation loss of the 2015 calendar year. The Nailers had a 1-0 lead after two periods of action, but just 14 seconds into the final frame, Kalamazoo pulled even, as Dane Fox finished off a feed from Matt Caria at the left side of the crease. Prior to scoring the tying goal, the Wings had three high quality scoring chances, as both Lane Scheidl and Eric Kattelus were thwarted on breakaways, while the home team also came away empty on a 2-on-1 break in the second period. Despite only allowing two goals on 26 shots, Joel Martin took the loss in goal.

Excellence from Ellis

Morgan Ellis continued to tear up the opposition on Friday night, as he bookended the scoring with his 11th and 12th goals of the campaign. That total puts Ellis in second place among ECHL defensemen in goals, as he only trails Colorado's Collin Bowman, who sits at the top of the mountain with 13 tallies. Nine of Morgan's 12 lamp lighters have come during the month of January, including two goals each on the 10th against Elmira, the 23rd against Fort Wayne, and the 30th against Kalamazoo. Ellis has added four assists as well, giving him 13 points in 13 games. If the third year pro can continue his current pace, he will have an opportunity to chase down the team record for most goals by a blueliner in a single season, which is currently held by Tim Roberts and Mario Larocque with 18.

Hoping for a Joyful January

The busiest month of games for the Nailers thus far has been January, as Wheeling will take the ice for the 14th time in 30 days, when it goes to battle with Kalamazoo on Saturday night. In their first 13 games of the month, the Nailers have compiled a 7-6-0 record, tying their November mark for most wins and points in a single month this season. If Wheeling can skate away with at least one point on Saturday, it will guarantee the squad's second winning month of the season, creating a nice rebound from a 4-7-0 December. After getting the opportunity to face eight teams during January, variety won't necessarily be the spice of life in February, as the Nailers will play 11 games against six different clubs, including three each against Elmira and Toledo.

Always Close With These Two

Saturday night marks the second of five head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Wings this season, as well as the second of four battles between the two clubs at Wings Stadium. Historically, the first 28 contests featuring Wheeling and Kalamazoo have been filled with lots of emotion, as well as quality hockey. With Friday night's 4-1 win by the Nailers entered into the mix, both sides have come now away with 14 triumphs. Although Friday's goal margin was three, the contest was played much closer, which tends to be the norm, as six of the last nine meetings have been decided by one goal, with four of those tilts going beyond regulation. The two teams will end up playing five times in a span of 65 days, after seeing each other for the first time in 364 days on Friday.

The Nailers will play a three-game homestand on February 6th, 7th, and 8th.

Friday the 6th is a 7:35 game against Toledo, featuring Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and a player poster giveaway.

Saturday the 7th is Duck Dynasty Night at 8:05 against Cincinnati, with an appearance by Jep Robertson from A&E's highest rated television show. That evening will feature a beard contest and a duck call contest, as well as Nailers camouflage t-shirts available for purchase at the team store.

Sunday the 8th is a 4:05 face-off against Elmira, and after the game, fans can join the Nailers for a post game skate. Kids tickets for that contest will be $5, and the Oglebay Good Zoo will have an exhibit in the concourse.

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



ECHL Stories from January 31, 2015


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