ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Drive into Victory Lane against Royals

Published on March 28, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers and Reading Royals have played 142 games against each other over the years, and after Saturday night's game, it's fair to say there is no love between the two teams. 147 penalty minutes were dealt out over the course of the evening, but when all of the dust finally settled, the scoreboard read exactly how the Nailers wanted. Wheeling received multiple point nights from Zack Torquato, Derek Army, and Jarrett Burton, as they defeated the Reading Royals for the six time in six tries on home ice, 5-2.

Despite coming up empty on a three-minute power play in the opening minutes of the contest, the Nailers were the first team to strike on the scoreboard. Derek Army centered a pass out of the left corner to Jarrett Burton, who wired in a one-timer from the left circle. Paul Cianfrini also assisted on the goal.

At the 8:02 mark, Wheeling gave a goal back to the opposition. With Eric Hartzell pulled on a delayed penalty, the home team accidentally had the puck roll all the way back into its own goal, tying the score, 1-1. The Nailers made sure not to get rattled by that unfortunate circumstance, as they regained the lead with 6:04 remaining. Tyler Fernandez slipped a pass to Chaz Johnson along the left side goal line. Johnson proceeded to waltz his way across the slot, getting goaltender Connor Knapp down and out, before roofing a wrist shot for his 15th tally of the campaign.

Early in the third period, the Nailers added an insurance marker. Sahir Gill won a face-off to Cody Wydo, who immediately connected with Derek Army at the top of the crease. Army put the puck on his backhand, jamming a shot through Knapp's legs. Reading pulled to within a goal at the 8:44 mark, when Brett Flemming's left slot wrist shot whistled its way into the left side of the net. Once again, Wheeling bounced back, regaining its two-goal advantage 1:34 later. Riley Brace chipped a pass to Zack Torquato, who crashed through the right side of the slot, redirecting the puck into the top part of the goal. Torquato iced the 5-2 victory with an empty netter in the final minute of his 200th game as a Nailer. However, the game wasn't done there, as the two teams combined for 90 penalty minutes in a line brawl with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Eric Hartzell was the winning goaltender for Wheeling, as he denied 29 of the 30 shots he faced. Brandon Whitney stopped the only shot he faced, while the home team also surrendered an empty net goal. Connor Knapp took the loss for Reading, making 24 saves on 28 shots, before his team also surrendered an empty netter.

The Nailers will finish their four-game homestand on Sunday at 4:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Sunday, March 29th wraps up the week at 4:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. That day will be a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and an Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

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

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ECHL Stories from March 28, 2015


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