ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Go For Second Straight Win Over Chiefs Tonight

Published on March 7, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers will go for their second straight win over the Johnstown Chiefs tonight at 8:05 p.m. at WesBanco Arena.

The Nailers moved back into a tie for second place in the North Division with a dominating 6-1 win over visiting Johnstown. A win tonight over Johnstown and a Cincinnati loss would be enough to move the Nailers into a first place tie in the division.

Wheeling got off to a fast start last night on first-period goals by Jon D'Aversa, Jordan Morrison and Bryan Ewing. It would be all the scoring the Nailers would need, although they went on to score three more goals over the final 40 minutes of play.

The first 1,000 fans age 14 and under in attendance at tonight's game will receive a free youth Nailers jersey courtesy of United Bank and WTOV. The Nailers are also offering a Ticket Extravaganza tonight. Upon entering the game, fans can put a ticket into various different baskets for the chance to win free tickets to games and events. Tickets in the extravaganza include the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates', and Kennywood Park. Tickets are still available for tonight's game. To order tickets call 877-NAIL-TIX or visit wheelingnailers.com.

For complete game notes, click here.

2008-09 Records

Wheeling: 30-22-2-5, 67 points (Tied for 2nd place, North Division)

Johnstown: 32-23-3-0, 67 points (Tied for 2nd place, North Division)

Last Time Out

The Nailers scored three first-period goals en route to a dominating 6-1 win over the visiting Chiefs last night. It was the Nailers' 30th win of the season and their fifth win in the last seven games.

Ewing, D'Aversa Score Two Apiece

Wheeling's own Bryan Ewing and Jon D'Aversa each scored two goals in last night's win over Johnstown.

Dazzling Darling

Wheeling goaltender Curtis Darling stopped 39 shots in the Nailers' 6-1 win over Johnstown last night. Seventeen of Johnstown's shots came in the third period.

Shutout Spoiler

Johnstown's Blair Yaworski spoiled Curtis Darling's shutout opportunity last night when he scored his team's first goal of the game with less than seven minutes remaining in the third period.

Penner, Hendrikx Suspended

Johnstown forward Alex Penner and defenseman Trevor Hendrikx were suspended and fined by the ECHL today for their actions in the third period of last night's game against Wheeling. Penner was suspended for two games while Hendrikx was suspended for one game. Both Penner and Hendrikx will miss tonight's game against Wheeling, and Penner will also have to sit out tomorrow's game against Elmira.

Back In Second Place Tie

The Nailers moved back into a tie for second place in the North Division last night with their 6-1 win over the Chiefs. Wheeling enters tonight's contest against the Chiefs just two points behind division-leading Cincinnati.

Nailers v. Chiefs, Head-to-Head in 2008-09

Wheeling is 4-4-0-1 against Johnstown this season. The Chiefs have won two of the last three games in the season series, including wins on Feb. 15 (5-2) and March 4 (5-3). The Nailers are 12-18-3-1 against Johnstown in the past five seasons.

Head Coaches

Wheeling: Greg Puhalski (2nd season)

Johnstown: Ian Herbers (2nd season)

NHL Affiliate

Wheeling: Pittsburgh Penguins

Johnstown: Colorado Avalanche/Columbus Blue Jackets

AHL Affiliate

Wheeling: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Johnstown: Lake Erie Monsters/Syracuse Crunch

Caputi's First ECHL Assist

Pittsburgh Penguins top prospect Luca Caputi recorded his first ECHL assist last night in Wheeling's 6-1 win over Johnstown. Caputi was credited with the first assist on Bryan Ewing's second goal of the game last night. He scored his first career ECHL goal Wednesday night against Johnstown.

Top Scorers

Wheeling: Bryan Ewing leads the Nailers with 75 points (38G, 37A) while Jordan Morrison is the team's second leading scorer with 63 points (20G, 43A).

Johnstown: Winger Petr Pohl leads the Chiefs with 26 goals and 33 assists (59 points) while Ryan Del Monte has scored 13 goals and 28 assists (41 points).

Nailers Currently With AHL Teams

David Brown (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Aaron Clarke (Albany); Tommy Goebel (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Nick Johnson (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Cliff Loya (Portland); Rob Sirianni (Philadelphia).

Notes

Nailer Billy Ryan has a 3-game points streak (1G, 5A) and 11 points (3G, 8A) in his last seven games. ... Wheeling goaltender Curtis Darling has won his last two starts and is 3-1-0 with a goals-against average of 2.51 in his last four games. Darling is third in the ECHL in saves (1,218) and fourth in minutes played (2,428). ... Wheeling winger Bryan Ewing is second in the league in points (75) and has scored the most shorthanded goals in the league (6). He is also third in the league in goals scored (38). Nailer forward Jordan Morrison has the most assists (43) of all rookies in the ECHL. ... Among defensemen, Wheeling's Mitch Ganzak ranks tied for fifth in the league with 36 points (6G, 30A). ... Chief Petr Pohl has nine assists and 15 points in his last nine games. Pohl ranks 11th in the ECHL in points (59). ... Johnstown rookie Andrew Satauer has 13 points (5G, 8A) in his last 12 games. ... Wheeling owns the fourth ranked power play in the league at 21.1 percent while Johnstown is 11th at 16.9 percent. ... Johnstown is ranked seventh on the power play at 84.5 percent while Wheeling is 14th at 81.7 percent.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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