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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Game Preview: Toledo V Wheeling

January 20, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Toledo Walleye (15-18-1-2 33 Pts) vs Wheeling Nailers (20-12-2-1 43Pts)

On Friday night, the Wheeling Nailers and Toledo Walleye will collide for the third time in ten days, while facing off at their third different venue, as the two sides get together at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.

The Nailers are coming off of a week that saw them go 2-1-1 in four games against the two teams from the State of Ohio. With that, Wheeling was able to finish the first half of the season with 20 wins, taking a 20-13-2-1 mark into the All-Star Break, which is good for 43 points. The Nailers currently trail the Elmira Jackals by six points for first place in the Atlantic Division, while sitting five points ahead of the Chicago Express for seventh place in the Eastern Conference Standings. The Walleye have recently moved out of the Eastern Conference's basement, as their 15-18-1-2 record, which is good for 33 points, puts them one point ahead of the Trenton Titans. Toledo trails the Cincinnati Cyclones by two points in the conference, as well as in the North Division, and the Cyclones have four games in hand.

On the ice last week, the biggest story was the play of Peter Lenes, who was a runner-up for ECHL Player of the Week, after posting four goals, three assists, and seven points in four games. As far as the games themselves, the Nailers began the week with a 3-2 overtime win over Toledo, thanks to a winning goal from former Walleye Zack Torquato. After a 3-0 loss in Toledo on Friday, Wheeling picked up one point in a 5-4 overtime loss at Cincinnati on Saturday. The Nailers then returned home to WesBanco Arena, where Chris Barton's goal in the third round of the shootout was the difference in a 4-3 victory over the Cyclones. Peter Delmas and Patrick Killeen both spent part of the week in the AHL, while each picked up one win for the Nailers. Both goaltenders are healthy and on the active roster at the same time for the first time since the Nailers' last visit to Johnstown on December 16th.

The Toledo Walleye turned their six-game winless streak around last week, and have now picked up points in four consecutive games, going 2-0-1-1 in their final four tilts before the All-Star Break. After falling 3-2 in overtime against the Nailers on Wednesday, Toledo responded, defeating Wheeling 3-0 on Friday, and knocking off Kalamazoo 5-4 on Saturday. The Wings got their revenge on the Walleye in the Sunday game, thanks to a 2-1 shootout victory at Huntington Center. Toledo forward Joey Martin was named ECHL Player of the Week last week, after posting seven points in four games, but the Walleye's leading scorer was recently recalled to the AHL's Houston Aeros. That puts Kyle Rogers as Toledo's active leader, with ten goals and 23 points in 36 games. Bryan Rufenach has nine goals and 17 points from the blueline, and in goal Rob Nolan is 7-11-2, with a 3.09 GAA, and an .892 Sv%.

This is the third of nine meetings between Wheeling and Toledo, as well as the second game on home ice for the Nailers. Both teams have won their home games, with Wheeling winning 3-2 in overtime last Wednesday, while the Walleye won 3-0 last Friday. The currently recalled Joey Martin leads the season series with four points, and is followed by teammate Kyle Rogers, who has three points in the two games. Peter Lenes and Zack Torquato lead the Nailers with two points each against Toledo. Peter Delmas and Patrick Killeen have each gotten one start against the Walleye, while Rob Nolan played both games in goal last week against Wheeling.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Wheeling Nailers

20-13-2-1, 43 points, 2nd Atlantic Division, 7th Eastern Conference

118 GF, 104 GA

PP: 26-for-149 (17.5%), 10th

PK: 119-for-145 (82.1%), 11th

Active Leaders

Goals: Barton (19)

Assists: Torquato (20)

Points: Barton (35)

Penalty Minutes: Ross (77)

+/-: Bushee (+12)

Wins: Killeen (11)

GAA: Delmas (2.43)

Sv%: Delmas (.909)

Toledo Walleye

15-18-1-2, 33 points, 4th North Division, 11th Eastern Conference

101 GF, 114 GA

PP: 24-for-150 (16.0%), 16th

PK: 127-for-152 (83.6%), 7th

Active Leaders

Goals: Rogers (10)

Assists: Rogers, Ryan (13)

Points: Rogers (23)

Penalty Minutes: Krug (75)

+/-: Estoclet (+10)

Wins: Nolan (7)

GAA: Nolan (3.09)

Sv%: Nolan (.892)

Friday's game between the Nailers and Walleye at Cambria County War Memorial Arena begins at 7:35. 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.

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ECHL Stories from January 20, 2012


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.

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