ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Game Preview: Elmira Vs Wheeling

January 21, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Elmira Jackals (25-12-1-0 51Pts) vs. Wheeling Nailers (21-13-2-1 45 Points)

On Saturday night, the Wheeling Nailers and Elmira Jackals will meet up for a battle between the top two teams in the Atlantic Division at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.

The month of January has treated the Nailers well so far, as they have picked up points in six of eight games, going 5-2-1. That performance has lifted Wheeling's record to 21-13-2-1 overall, which is good for 45 points, and it is also the first time this season that the Nailers have been eight games over the .500 mark. While Wheeling remains in second place in the Atlantic Division, the tight Eastern Conference race has allowed them to move into a fifth place tie with the Florida Everblades, as both teams trail the South Carolina Stingrays by one point. On the other side of the ice, the Jackals continue to lead both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference, having led the conference for 21 straight days. Elmira enters this game with a 25-12-1-0 record, which is good for 51 points.

Saturday night's tilt brings an end to a stretch of five straight games that the Nailers played against opponents from the State of Ohio, as they went a combined 3-1-1 against Toledo and Cincinnati in a ten-day span. The final game of that stretch took place on Friday night at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, as Patrick Killeen's 18-save effort helped to lead Wheeling to a 3-0 victory, as well as their first shutout of the 2011-12 campaign. On the offensive side of things, Brian Day picked up his first ECHL goal, as he continues to work back from an injury that kept him out for the first part of the season. Denver Manderson added a goal and an assist, while Peter Lenes put the exclamation point on the contest with an empty net tally. Ryan Schnell also got involved in the offense, picking up an assist in his first game with the Nailers since being assigned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

After a brief cold spell that saw them drop two games last weekend, the Elmira Jackals are right back on track, picking up back-to-back wins over the Trenton Titans, as they have now won 18 of their last 22 games, since starting out the season with a 7-9-0-0 record. On Friday night, the Jackals were in quite the battle with the Titans, as Dustin Gazley's goal with 21 seconds left in regulation broke a 3-3 tie, and gave the home team the two points. That was despite the fact that Trenton had a 32-13 advantage in shots. Gazley's goal was his 12th of the season, which along with his 24 assists and 36 points, all lead the Jackals' active roster. In goal, Brian Stewart made 29 saves, as he secured his 15th win of the campaign.

This is the sixth of 14 meetings between Wheeling and Elmira this season, as well as the third game on home ice for the Nailers. Wheeling started out the season series with back-to-back wins on home ice, but the Jackals responded, winning three times in a ten-day span in late December. Chris Barton and Zack Torquato both have two goals and five points in the five games for the Nailers, while Mike Radja (on recall to Houston) and Dustin Gazley have both picked up four points for the Jackals. Patrick Killeen has made all five starts in goal for Wheeling, facing three different netminders for Elmira.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Wheeling Nailers

21-13-2-1, 45 points, 2nd Atlantic Division, T-5th Eastern Conference

121 GF, 104 GA

PP: 27-for-153 (17.6%), 10th

PK: 124-for-150 (82.7%), T-9th

Active Leaders

Goals: Barton (19)

Assists: Torquato (20)

Points: Barton (35)

Penalty Minutes: Ross (77)

+/-: Bushee (+13)

Wins: Killeen (12)

GAA: Delmas (2.43)

Sv%: Delmas (.909)

Elmira Jackals

25-12-1-0, 51 points, 1st Atlantic Division, 1st Eastern Conference

123 GF, 113 GA

PP: 31-for-153 (20.3%), T-3rd

PK: 161-for-191 (84.3%), T-6th

Active Leaders

Goals: Gazley (12)

Assists: Gazley (24)

Points: Gazley (36)

Penalty Minutes: Harvey (123)

+/-: Campanale (+10)

Wins: Stewart (15)

GAA: Pielmeier (2.83)

Sv%: Stewart (.915)

Saturday's game between the Nailers and Jackals at Cambria County War Memorial Arena begins at 7:05. For ticket information or to purchase tickets call 304-234-GOAL (4625) or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. You can now purchase Nailers game tickets on your smartphone by visiting m.wheelingnailers.com.




ECHL Stories from January 21, 2012


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