ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Game Preview: Gwinnett Vs. Wheeling

Published on October 28, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


It's a game day at WesBanco Arena, as the Wheeling Nailers continue their four-game homestand tonight against the Gwinnett Gladiators. This is the lone visit of the season to West Virginia for the Gladiators, who are led behind the bench by former Wheeling assistant coach, John Wroblewski.

Both clubs head into action at the top of their respective divisions. The Nailers are tied for the lead in the Atlantic Division with a 3-0-0-0 record, which is good for six points (Elmira is tied with a 3-1-0-0 mark). The Gladiators are tied for first place in the South Division, as they and the South Carolina Stingrays both enter tonight's action with identical 3-2-0-0 records, also good for six points. South Carolina pulled even with Gwinnett last night, when they knocked off Reading, 4-1.

This is the second of four straight home games for the Nailers, who will also have a game tomorrow night at 7:35 against the Trenton Titans. The homestand began last Saturday night, when Wheeling edged Elmira 3-2 on Patrick Johnson's goal 2:12 into the third period. The Nailers controlled the play in the entire contest, outshooting the Jackals, 56-20. Domination in shots on goal has been an early theme for Stan Drulia's bunch, as they have outshot the opposition by 16, 16, and 36 in their first three games, and they have yet to allow more than 20 shots by the opposition.

After dropping their first contest of the season, the Gladiators have won three of their last four games. Their most recent win in the stretch came on Wednesday night, when they opened their current three-game road trip with a 4-2 victory at Trenton. Scott Fleming netted a pair of goals in that tilt, while defenseman Shane Sims put together a three-point outing with one goal and two assists. Marc Cheverie picked up the win with 34 saves on 36 shots.

Along with head coach John Wroblewski, Gwinnett will also have two other former Wheeling Nailers returning to WesBanco Arena tonight, as forwards Joey Haddad and Tyler Murovich will be suiting up for the visitors. Haddad spent parts of two seasons with the Nailers, registering 63 points in 50 games. Meanwhile, Murovich, a Pittsburgh, PA native, played in 20 regular season games with Wheeling last season, finishing with ten points.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Wheeling Nailers

3-0-0-0, 6 points, T-1st Atlantic Division, T-1st Eastern Conference

13 GF, 4 GA

PP: 1-for-20 (5.0%), 20th

PK: 11-for-14 (78.6%), 13th

Active Leaders

Goals: Bedard (3)

Assists: Hansen (4)

Points: Bedard, Hansen, Johnson (4)

Penalty Minutes: Barton, P. Crowder (6)

+/-: Hansen, Torquato (+5)

Wins: Killeen (3)

GAA: Killeen (1.33)

Sv%: Killeen (.931)

Gwinnett Gladiators

3-2-0-0, 6 points, T-1st South Division, T-1st Eastern Conference

16 GF, 11 GA

PP: 5-for-24 (20.8%), 8th

PK: 18-for-22 (81.8%), 10th

Active Leaders

Goals: Fleming/Galivan (3)

Assists: Helfrich (5)

Points: Helfrich (6)

Penalty Minutes: Haddad (15)

+/-: Helfrich (+4)

Wins: Cheverie (2)

GAA: Cheverie (2.01)

Sv%: Cheverie (.938)

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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