ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Game Preview: Wheeling Vs. Gwinnett

November 25, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


On Friday night, the Wheeling Nailers will conclude their brief journey to the Peach State, playing the final game of their three-game season series against the Gwinnett Gladiators at The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

Because they played in the lone game in the ECHL on Thanksgiving, the Nailers were able to add to their lead atop the Atlantic Division. Wheeling now leads Reading by four points, while having three games in hand on the Royals. The Nailers enter play on Friday with a record of 10-4-0-0, which is good for 20 points. Meanwhile, the Gladiators had an opportunity to pass the South Carolina Stingrays for the top spot in the South Division, but lost, dropping their record to 8-6-2-2, which is good for 20 points. Gwinnett still trails South Carolina by one point, and the Stingrays now have one game in hand.

In Thursday night's game, the offensive story was Wheeling defenseman Andrew Hotham, who had two goals and two assists, running his point total to 12 on the season. The Nailers started the scoring late in the first period, when Ben Farrer lit the lamp for the fourth straight game. Cody Chupp and Hotham extended the lead to three in the early stages of the second, as the visitors were successful on each of their first three opportunities with the man advantage. Former Nailer Tyler Murovich put the Gladiators on the board at the 1:01 mark of the third, but Chris Barton and Hotham quickly cancelled that, as Wheeling cruised to the 5-1 victory. Barton's goal was his 12th of the season, giving him goals in five straight games, and points in ten consecutive contests. Peter Delmas made 15 saves for the Nailers, improving to 5-1 on the season, defeating Billy Sauer, who fell to 1-4 with 24 saves on 28 shots.

The Nailers have now won both of the first two games in the season series against the Gladiators, picking up a 3-2 overtime win on October 28th at WesBanco Arena, along with Thursday's 5-1 victory at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Andrew Hotham's five points are the most in the season series, followed by Matt Lombardi, who has three assists. Peter Delmas has both wins for Wheeling.

Tonight's game can be viewed on RTV 9 and americaone.com or listen to the game on the MIX 97.3 FM, iHeartradio, or wheelingnailers.com.

The Nailers will return to WesBanco Arena on Saturday December 3rd when they battle the Trenton Titans. The first 2,000 fans will receive a free team poster courtesy of WesBanco Bank, The McLure Hotel, Generations Pub, and Panhandle Cleaning.it is also Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans can donate a new or unused teddy bear to toys for tots following the Nailers first goal by throwing it on the ice. Following the game, the entire Nailers team will be signing autographs for fans.

For tickets call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL or online at shop.wheelingnailers.com. Fans can now order game tickets on their smart phone at m.wheelingnailers.com.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Wheeling Nailers

10-4-0-0, 20 points, 1st Atlantic Division, 2nd Eastern Conference

54 GF, 38 GA

PP: 10-for-61 (16.4%), T-14th

PK: 45-for-60 (75.0%), 19th

Active Leaders

Goals: Barton (12)

Assists: Hansen (10)

Points: Barton (21)

Penalty Minutes: Torquato (46)

+/-: Crowder (+11)

Wins: Delmas, Killeen (5)

GAA: Delmas (1.89)

Sv%: Delmas (.915)

Gwinnett Gladiators

8-6-2-2, 20 points, 2nd South Division, 4th Eastern Conference

49 GF, 53 GA

PP: 15-for-79 (19.0%), 11th

PK: 61-for-78 (78.2%), 13th

Active Leaders

Goals: Galivan, Haddad (7)

Assists: Haddad (10)

Points: Haddad (17)

Penalty Minutes: Grantham (38)

+/-: Sims (+4)

Wins: Sauer (1)

GAA: Sauer (3.25)

Sv%: Sauer (.868)

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 25, 2011


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