Nailers Battle Royals Tonight At
February 21, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers will play the second of four straight road games tonight when they travel to Reading to play the Royals at 7 p.m.
Both the Nailers and Royals are coming off losses. Wheeling lost a tough 2-1 battle to Trenton last night in spite of Curtis Darling's 31 saves. Trenton also handed Reading its last loss, a 4-1 decision on Wednesday night.
Aaron Clarke scored Wheeling's lone goal last night. Trenton goaltender Gerald Coleman was sharp down the stretch for Trenton, turning aside 17 Wheeling shots.
After tonight's contest the Nailers play Trenton on Sunday at 6 p.m. and on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The Nailers' next home stand is Feb. 27-28 when they host Dayton and Trenton, respectively. The Feb. 27 game is Friday Family Four Pack Night, where families receive four tickets, four sodas, four hotdogs and one large popcorn for just $44. In addition, a collector poster will be given away to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. A Coal Miner Spike Bobble Head will be given away to the first 2,500 fans in attendance at the Feb. 28 game.
For complete game notes, click here.
2008-09 Records
Wheeling: 25-18-2-5, 57 points (5th place, North Division)
Reading: 16-32-2-2, 36 points (7th place, North Division)
Last Time Out
Wheeling: Wheeling lost a hard-fought 2-1 contest to the Trenton Devils last night. Aaron Clarke scored Wheeling's lone goal at the 4:43 mark of the first period when he and Kelly Miller worked a 2-on-1 situation to tie the contest at 1-1. Trenton goaltender Gerald Coleman was terrific down the stretch in keeping the Nailers off the board. In all, Coleman made 17 saves. Wheeling goalie Curtis Darling was also strong, turning aside 31 Trenton shots.
Reading: The Royals were handed a 4-1 loss on Wednesday by Trenton. Winger Brock Hooton scored Reading's lone goal.
Nailers v. Royals, Head-to-Head in 2008-09
Wheeling is 4-2-0 against Reading this season and 14-10-1-2 over the last five years. Howevever, Reading has won two of the last three contests. Reading defeated Wheeling 3-1 on Jan. 30, and 5-2 on Jan. 16.
Head Coaches
Wheeling: Greg Puhalski (2nd season)
Reading: Larry Courville (1st season, interim)
NHL Affiliate
Wheeling: Pittsburgh Penguins
Reading: Toronto Maple Leafs/Los Angeles Kings
AHL Affiliate
Wheeling: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Reading: Toronto Marlies/Manchester Monarchs
Top Scorers
Wheeling: Bryan Ewing is tied for second in the ECHL with 64 points (33G, 31A). Jordan Morrison is tied for third in the league with 59 points (17G, 42A).
Reading: Brock Hooton leads the Royals with 16 goals and 27 assists (43 points). Tyler Doig is the second leading scorer with 11 goals and 28 assists (39 points).
Big Three
Recently signed winger Billy Ryan, a past third round NHL draft pick of the New York Rangers, played on Wheeling's top line with Bryan Ewing and Jordan Morrison in his first games as a Nailer Friday night.
Miller's Impact
Nailers forward Kelly Miller played in his first game last night since Wheeling defeated Dayton 3-2 on Feb. 6. Miller's return was felt early in the game when he assisted on Aaron Clarke's game-tying goal in the first period.
Nailers Currently With AHL Teams
Tommy Goebel (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Nick Johnson (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Cliff Loya (Portland); Rob Sirianni (Philadelphia); Shane Willis (Springfield).
Notes
Bryan Ewing, recently returned to the Nailers from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, is tied for second in the ECHL with 64 points (33G, 31A). ... Ewing leads all rookies in goals scored and points. ... Ewing is also tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (5). ... Jordan Morrison is Wheeling's second leading scorer and overall tied for third best in the league with 59 points (17G, 42A). ... Clarke's goal last night was his 10th of the season. Clarke is third on the team with 35 points. ... Brock Hooton is Reading's top scorer with 16 goals and 27 assists (43 points). ... Tyler Doig is close behind Hooton with 11 goals and 28 assists (39 points). ... Marc Faulkner and Doig have led Reading with seven points apiece against Wheeling this season. ... Morrison has led the Nailers against Reading with four goals and seven assists (11 points). ... Ewing has scored five goals with four assists against Reading (seven points).
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