Nailers Game Preview: Wheeling Vs. Elmira
December 30, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers (16-9-1-1 34 Pts) vs. Elmira Jackals (17-11-0-0 36 Pts)
On Friday night, the Wheeling Nailers will conclude their three-game road swing, when they return to First Arena for the second time this week, to battle the Elmira Jackals.
The Nailers have picked up points in each of their last four games, going 2-0-1-1, as they continue to battle the Jackals for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Wheeling's record currently stands at 16-9-1-1, which is good for 34 points. Meanwhile, Elmira enters the game as winners of ten of their last twelve contests, bringing their record to 18-11-0-0, which is good for 36 points. Those totals give the Jackals a two-point lead over the Nailers for first place in the division, although Wheeling has two games in hand. In the conference standings, Elmira is alone in second place, while Wheeling is in a three-way tie for fourth, along with Greenville and Florida.
This week's schedule for the Nailers features four divisional contests, with eight possible points on the line. At the midway mark of that stretch, Wheeling has acquired three out of four possible points, falling just short in a 2-1 shootout loss to Elmira on Monday, before a thrilling 5-4 regulation victory in Trenton on Wednesday. Wednesday night's battle with the Titans saw multiple point nights from Christiaan Minella, Denver Manderson, and Mickael Bedard, including Minella's game winning goal with 1:45 left in the third period. Zack Torquato continued his magical month of December, with points in ten of twelve games, while Patrick Killeen grabbed his tenth win of the year with a 29-save performance. Wheeling's special teams continued their brilliance on Wednesday, as a 3-for-3 power play boosted that unit to eighth in the league, while a 3-for-3 penalty kill also lifted that unit to eighth in the league.
The Elmira Jackals are quickly gaining a reputation around the league for being known as the Elmira Shootout Specialists, as they won both of their games in shootouts this week, running their season record to 6-0 in that category, and 9-0 in games decided after regulation. After Monday's 2-1 win over Wheeling, the Jackals traveled to Reading on Wednesday, coming away with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Royals. Kyle Reeds, Jack Downing, and Louie Caporusso scored in regulation for Elmira, while Dustin Gazley, Downing, and Mike Radja tallied in the shootout. Brian Stewart made his first start in goal since returning from the Binghamton Senators, stopping 36 of 39 shots during the game, before a perfect 3-for-3 mark in the shootout. While the shootout win may have been a positive, the Jackals will be without the services of Kevin Harvey on Friday, as he serves the first game of a three-game suspension.
This is the fifth of 14 meetings this season between the Nailers and Jackals, and the second at First Arena. The two teams have split the first four head-to-head contests, with Wheeling taking the first two in regulation, before Elmira responded by winning the most recent two in overtime and in a shootout. The Nailers' wins came by scores of 3-2 and 5-3, while the Jackals have won by scores of 3-2 and 2-1. Chris Barton and Zack Torquato lead the way in the season series with four points each, while Zach Hansen, Riley Armstrong, and Craig Rivet have each produced three points. Patrick Killeen has appeared in all four games between the pipes for Wheeling, going 2-0-2, with a 2.18 GAA, and a .917 Sv%. Elmira has turned to three different netminders, with Nick Niedert being the lone goalie to appear multiple times, winning both of his starts.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Wheeling Nailers
16-9-1-1, 34 points, 2nd Atlantic Division, T-4th Eastern Conference
92 GF, 77 GA
PP: 22-for-113 (19.5%), 8th
PK: 91-for-111 (82.0-%), 8th
Active Leaders
Goals: Barton (15)
Assists: Torquato (16)
Points: Barton (26)
Penalty Minutes: Ross (70)
+/-: Torquato (+7)
Wins: Killeen (10)
GAA: Delmas (2.40)
Sv%: Delmas (.902)
Elmira Jackals
18-11-0-0, 36 points, 1st Atlantic Division, 2nd Eastern Conference
97 GF, 95 GA
PP: 25-for-117 (21.4%), 5th
PK: 120-for-144 (83.3%), 6th
Active Leaders
Goals: Radja (15)
Assists: Gazley (19)
Points: Radja (29)
Penalty Minutes: Harvey (119)
+/-: Campanale (+7)
Wins: Stewart (11)
GAA: Stewart (3.13)
Sv%: Stewart (.907)
The Nailers will conclude their three-game road trip in Elmira on Friday at 7:35, before returning home to WesBanco Arena to face the Reading Royals on Saturday night 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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