Nailers Game Preview: Toledo Vs Wheeling
January 29, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Toledo Walleye (17-21-1-2 37 Pts) vs. Wheeling Nailers (22-16-2-1 47 Pts)
On Sunday night, the Wheeling Nailers will wrap up January's schedule, when they take on the Toledo Walleye at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Despite coming up short in two games this weekend, the Nailers have maintained their positions in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. Wheeling enters Sunday's contest with a 22-16-2-1 record, which is good for 47 points. Thanks to a pair of victories by the Gwinnett Gladiators, the Nailers remain within six points of Elmira for the top spot in the division, while continuing to lead Florida by one point in the conference standings. The Walleye remain on the outside looking in, after splitting their first two games of the weekend. Toledo enters this game with a mark of 17-21-1-2, which is good for 37 points, placing them fourth in the North Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference. The Cincinnati Cyclones lead the Walleye by four points, with four games in hand.
Saturday night's game was all about defense, as the Nailers played host to the Kalamazoo Wings at WesBanco Arena. Nick Petersen's first period power play goal from Olivier Dame-Malka and Zack Torquato put Wheeling ahead, before Kalamazoo snuck away with two goals in the third. Petersen's marker was his second of the year with the Nailers, and he now has at least one point in all three games he has played since being assigned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday. In goal, Patrick Killeen saw his shutout streak come to an end at 209:54, but also saw his goals against average (2.69) and save percentage (.893) improve once again.
The Toledo Walleye have been involved in a pair of one-goal games on the weekend, as they edged Chicago 3-2 on Friday, before falling 5-4 to Reading on Saturday. Saturday's game saw the Royals get out to a 4-0 lead, before the Walleye responded with four straight goals, tying the game. Dale Mitchell broke the deadlock with 1:31 left in the middle frame, before a scoreless third period gave the contest its 5-4 final. Kyle Rogers netted two goals in the setback, and now leads Toledo with 13 goals and 27 points. Andrej Nestrasil's 15 assists are tops in that category, while Bryan Rufenach leads the defensive group with 22 points. In goal, Rob Nolan has made 26 appearances, going 9-11-2, with a 3.18 GAA, and an .891 Sv% with Chicago and Toledo, while Dustin Carlson has appeared in 10 games, going 3-5-1, with a 2.99 GAA, and an .894 Sv% with Ontario and Toledo.
This is the fourth of nine meetings between Wheeling and Toledo, as well as the third home game for the Nailers. The previous three tilts have all taken place at different venues, with the home team coming out on top in all three. Wheeling won the season series opener 3-2 in overtime on January 11th, before the two sides exchanged 3-0 shutout victories on January 13th and 20th. Joey Martin's three goals and four points are the most in the head-to-head battle, followed by Peter Lenes and Kyle Rogers, who each have three points. All four goaltenders have appeared in the season series.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Wheeling Nailers
22-16-2-1, 47 points, 2nd Atlantic Division, 6th Eastern Conference
133 GF, 117 GA
PP: 31-for-166 (18.7%), 7th
PK: 140-for-168 (83.3%), 7th
Active Leaders
Goals: Barton (22)
Assists: Torquato (21)
Points: Barton (39)
Penalty Minutes: Ross (83)
+/-: Merth (+14)
Wins: Killeen (13)
GAA: Killeen (2.69)
Sv%: Delmas (.899)
Toledo Walleye
17-21-1-2, 37 points, 4th North Division, 11th Eastern Conference
114 GF, 134 GA
PP: 27-for-170 (15.9%), 14th
PK: 144-for-174 (82.8%), 10th
Active Leaders
Goals: Rogers (13)
Assists: Nestrasil (15)
Points: Rogers (27)
Penalty Minutes: Krug (83)
+/-: Estoclet (+12)
Wins: Nolan (9)
GAA: Carlson (2.99)
Sv%: Carlson (.894)
Sunday's game between the Nailers and Walleye at Cambria County War Memorial Arena begins at 6:05. 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.
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ECHL Stories from January 29, 2012
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