ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Begin 3 Game Trip To Carolinas

Published on January 22, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


The Nailers return from the All-Star Break and hit the road this week for a 3 game stretch in the Carolinas.

Wheeling will play the Charlotte Checkers on Friday at 7 and the South Carolina Stingrays on Sunday at 4 and Tuesday at 7.

Wheeling enters action having gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. The Nailers are 21-17-3 overall this season for 45 points, 8th place in the American Conference, and only two points back of 6th place Charlotte who are 21-13-5 for 47 points. Charlotte is the only American Conference team the Nailers have yet to play this year. This is Wheeling's only trip to Charlotte this year. The Checkers will make a return visit to Wheeling in March.

The Stingrays are the first place team in the American Conference with a league best mark of 28-9-2 for 62 points. South Carolina is also the defending Kelly Cup Champions after defeating the Alaska Aces in a seven game finals series last year. Wheeling is 0-2 against South Carolina this year including an 0-1 mark in North Charleston from a loss in the season opener on Friday, October 16th. The two games in South Carolina opens a four game home-and-home series between the Nailers and the league's top team. The Stingrays will be coming to WesBanco next Saturday and Sunday for a pair of games as well.

Last Week

The Nailers wrapped up a 1-1-1 home stand prior to the All-Star game at WesBanco Arena. The Nailers fell to the Toledo Walleye 8-4 Friday night. Thomas Beauregard led the Nailers with 2 goals. Saturday the Nailers earned a point in the loss to the Johnstown Chiefs in overtime 4-3. Sunday afternoon Michael-Lee Teslak had a dazzling performance in net with 24 saves and came within 61 seconds of a shut out win as the Nailers defeated Elmira Jackals 2-1.

Wheeling Nailers defenseman Mitch Ganzak made his first trip to California a memorable one. He scored in the 3rd round of the shootout as the American Conference knocked off the National Conference 10-9 in the ECHL All-Star Game late Wednesday night in Ontario, California (near Los Angeles). The American Conference won the shootout 3-1 in four rounds sealed by Elmira's Justin Donati to finish the contest. Ganzak also got an assist in the contest and made a fine hustling defensive play to save a goal. In a game that typically doesn't feature as much hard-nosed defense, Ganzak showed his mettle by taking the team's only penalty as well on a tripping call in the 3rd period. The Miami (Ohio) University product was the Nailers lone All-Star representative at this year's game.

Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reassigned left wing Casey Pierro-Zabotel from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, it was announced Thursday January 21. Pierro-Zabotel, has posted 33 points (9+24) in 38 games with the Nailers this season, and departs for northeastern Pennsylvania ranking second on the squad in scoring and first in assists. He posted a season-high nine-game point streak which was halted last weekend, and has registered 20 points (6+14) in his last 18 games.

Thomas Beauregard got called up to play with the Springfield Falcons, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday January 21. The Montreal, Que. native has been red-hot of late scoring 8 goals in his last 6 games and led the ECHL with 26 goals in his 41 games with the Nailers. He was the 12th Nailer to get the call up to the AHL.

Congratulations to Wheeling Nailers defenseman Mitch Ganzak who scored in the 3rd round of the shootout as the American Conference knocked off the National Conference 10-9 in the ECHL All-Star Game late Wednesday night in Ontario, California (near Los Angeles).

Michael-Lee Teslak will be the Nailers lone $B!F(Bregular' goalie for now. Equipment manager Billy Higgins will again be suiting up as the team's Emergency Backup Goalie. Teslak went 1-1-1 this weekend and is 9-8-3 for the year.

Jordan Fox had a goal in back to back games on Friday and Saturday against Toledo and Johnstown giving him 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points.

Cliff Loya played his 215th game for the Wheeling Nailers Sunday January 17th. That is 2nd in all-time history and is tied with Tim Roberts(215 games, 1992-96). Next up on the all-time list is all-time leader Stephan Brannare (231 games, 1997-99, 00-01, 03-06).

The Nailers are 8th in the American Conference with a record of 21-17-3 and 45 points, just one point behind The Florida Everblades in 7th place.

Congratulations to Nick Johnson who maintained an impressive trend by scoring a goal in his NHL debut Thursday night against the Washington Capitals. While wearing #42, Johnson became the 42nd Wheeling Nailers alum to make it to the National Hockey League.

Friday- Wheeling Nailers (21-17-3)

Charlotte Checkers (21-13-5)

Head Coach:

Wheeling - Greg Puhalski (3rd season with Wheeling, 16th in professional hockey)

Charlotte - Derek Wilkinson

Sunday- Wheeling Nailers (21-17-3)

South Carolina Stingrays (28-9-6)

Head Coach:

Wheeling - Greg Puhalski

South Carolina- Cail MacLean

Affiliation:

Wheeling - Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

Charlotte - New York Rangers (NHL), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL),

Lake Erie Monsters (AHL)

South Carolina- Washington Capitals (NHL), Hershey Bears(AHL)

Top Nailers

Wheeling - Jordan Fox (12-17-29, T.J. Fox (13-15-28),), Aaron Clarke (10-14-24)

Top Checkers

Charlotte- Tyler Doig (11-36-47), Michel Leveille (14-27-41), Andrew Carroll (18-10-28),, Matt Schepke (12-12-24)

Top Stingrays

South Carolina- Keith Johnson (16-23-39), Rob Ricci (15-19-34), Gregg Johnson (11-19-30)

Top Goalies

Wheeling- Michael-Lee Teslak (9-8-3, 3.32, 0.882%)

Charlotte- Ryan Munce (7-7-1, 3.08, 0.911%), Miika Wiikman (8-2-3, 2.92,0.904%)

South Carolina- Shane Connelly (7-7-3, 3.49, 0.890%), Parker Van Buskirk (6-9-2, 3.62, 0.877%)

Upcoming Home Games

The Nailers return to Wheeling for back to back home games on Saturday and Sunday January 30th and 31st to host the South Carolina Stingrays. Saturday, January 30th is Doug Sauter Bobblehead Night for the first 2,500 fans courtesy of WesBanco and Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night. Doug Sauter and Nick Bedway will be inducted in pre-game ceremonies featuring the unveiling of their Hall of Fame banners. Sauter is the first and all-time winningest head coach in Wheeling hockey history. Nick Bedway was a long-time beat-writer covering the team and introducing the Ohio Valley to pro hockey. They will be joining the inaugural class including all-time Wheeling leading scorer Darren Schwartz and WAHA founder Bob Otten.

Sunday, January 31st is a KoSports Ice of Dreams Day and will feature an open-skate with the Nailers players after the game. Don't forget to bring your skates, gloves, and camera!

Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team. Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL

Nailers Inaugural Education Day

There are still openings available for the Nailers inaugural Education Field Trip Day on Tuesday, February 9th. Tickets are free for all students and teachers when the Nailers play the Johnstown Chiefs at 11:00am. All the kids will be receiving an educational book and will quizzed on the material they learn at the game when they return to the classroom. It's going to be a really fun time for the kids so get your school signed up for the special event with the Nailers by calling 304-234-GOAL.

Experience Counts:

Greg Puhalski is entering his 16th year at the bench and 3rdfor the Nailers. He is second among all ECHL coaches with 601 coming into this season trailing only Steve Martinson who had 650 wins entering this year. Puhalski has over 200 ECHL wins dating back to the beginning of his coaching career with the Toledo Storm from 1994-98.

Right-Hand Man:

Greg Puhalski has an assistant coach on the staff this year. Doug Doull joins the Nailers and the Penguins organization after doing some coaching in Canadian University hockey for a couple seasons following his 8 year playing career in the AHL and NHL. Doull fought some of the NHL's toughest customers in his time with the Boston Bruins in 2003-04. He played 37 games in the NHL mostly with Boston (and 2 with Washington) and racked up 151 PIM's. His AHL career included stays with Hershey, San Antonio, Utah, Providence, St. John's, Saint John and with other AAA level teams in the old IHL in the late 90's with Michigan (now Kalamazoo), Detroit Vipers and Manitoba.

It's a Girl!!

Wheeling head coach Greg Puhalski is the Ohio Valley's newest Dad! His wife Ally is doing well after giving birth to that couple's first child, a healthy baby girl. Zara Katherine Puhalski was born at 7:05 p.m. on October 29th.

Nailers broadcaster Bob Rotruck and Nailers Accountant Linda Timberlake also share that birthday and both say they heartily approve of the date chosen by the newest member of Nailers Nation!

Congratulations Greg and Ally. And welcome to Nailers Nation Zara!!

Divisional Foes:

The Wheeling Nailers are competing in the North Division again but there has been some realignment in the American Conference. In the four team North the Nailers' divisional rivals will be the Cincinnati Cyclones, Toledo Walleye and Kalamazoo Wings. Toledo returns to the league after a two year hiatus to build their new arena. Kalamazoo (Mich.) enters the ECHL for the first time after 34 years of professional hockey tradition in other leagues.

Wheeling will maintain their rivalries with teams like Johnstown and Elmira and will play them just as many times as typical but those teams will be part of the new four team East Division along with Trenton and Reading. The South Division will comprise Florida, South Carolina, Charlotte and Gwinnett. Wheeling will face all 11 American Conference opponents this year both at home and on the road so there will be a wide variety of foes hitting the ice at WesBanco in the coming months. The top 8 teams out of 12 in the American Conference qualify for the playoffs with the division winners securing the top 3 seeds.

Nailers on the Radio:

All Wheeling Nailers games are broadcast on the Nailers Hockey Network presented by Amica Insurance led by flagship station The Mix 97.3 and on wheelingnailers.comand the B2 network. Bob Rotruck is in his second season with the play-by-play action while former Wheeling Thunderbirds defenseman Brock Woods enters his 10th season of providing color commentary on the home games. Catch the preview of the night's action beginning with the Subway Countdown to Faceoff beginning 20 minutes before the drop of the puck. The Riesbeck's Food Markets Post-game report features a detailed recap of the night's action, audio-replay highlights, and also interviews with coaches and players on home games.

The Nailers Power Hour Presented by Pepsi airs on Thursdays at 6pm from Generation's Pub and Restaurant featuring the Voice of the Nailers, Bob Rotruck, head coach Greg Puhalski, and a player guest each week. Come join us for the fun. The show also features audio-replay highlights of the previous week's action and a recap of the games and preview of what's coming up for the Nailers.

Season tickets are on sale now for all 36 exciting Nailers home games at

WesBanco Arena. Great season ticket plans are available for every budget.

Also take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games.

Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.

Overnight Packages:

Make it a Hockey Night in Wheeling with one of our popular Nailers overnight packages starting at just $99. Come cheer for the proud AA affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins$B!D(Bthe Wheeling Nailers$B!D(Bless than an hour from downtown Pittsburgh!

Two tickets, hotel room, dinner in town$B!D(Byou'll have a great time. Other packages available too including a $159 package at Wheeling Island Hotel and Casino.

To reserve your overnight package with the Nailers call 304-234-GOAL

Birthday Parties with the Nailers:

Have a Birthday Blast with the Nailers! The Birthday Boy or Girl gets all sorts of great stuff including a Team Autographed Birthday Card, Photo with the mascot, Spike, a Nailers Hockey Puck, a free kids meal at Perkins and a special announcement in the arena! Everyone in the group gets tickets to the game, Ice Cream from United Dairy, a free soda, and a special visit from Spike! You can make it a premium birthday package for pizza, hot dogs, cupcakes and more. It's Birthday Party Fun with the Nailers! Call 304-234-GOAL to book your special night!

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 22, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central