Nailers Hope to Clinch Playoffs Friday Night
April 2, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - Coming off a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory Wednesday night the Nailers look to clinch their first Kelly Cup playoff spot in 3 years as they host the Dayton Bombers Friday night at 7:35. A Nailers victory Friday combined with a Chiefs loss at Cincinnati would put the Wheeling Nailers into the postseason.
If Wheeling wins Friday but Johnstown wins also then the Chiefs are still alive and it would come down to the last game of the season Saturday night with the Nailers traveling to Trenton and the Chiefs finishing their series at Cincinnati.
Wheeling trailed through much of Wednesday night's game against the first place Trenton Devils but rallied to tie score a couple times including a big goal by Jordan Morrison with just over 7 minutes remaining before the Nailers would secure the two valuable points in the shootout.
The Nailers are all alone in 4th place in the North Division with 80 points which puts them 2 points ahead of the 5th place Johnstown Chiefs.
Come out to WesBanco Arena and cheer your lungs out for the Nailers in their last home game of the regular season. A big crowd is expected for this regular season finale and the crowd enthusiasm could make the difference to push the Nailers over the top.
If Wheeling clinches to advance to the postseason it is unknown exactly when they would host their Kelly Cup playoff games. The Nailers would most likely finish as a 3 or 4 seed in the division meaning their opening round best of 7 game series would begin with games 1 and 2 on the road at Elmira, Trenton or Cincinnati. The first road game of the playoffs would likely be Thursday, April 9 or Friday, April 10.
The Nailers would most likely host games 3, 4 and 5 of the first round at WesBanco Arena possibly beginning as early Saturday, April 11.
More details on potential playoff dates will be announced in the future. But the Nailers need to clinch first! And we need your support Nailers fans so lets gets ready to rock!
Nailers All-Stars
Congratulations to Bryan "Boomer" Ewing who was named this week to the ECHL All-Star First Team and to the ECHL All Rookie Team. Ewing leads all rookies in scoring this year and established a new Wheeling Nailers rookie record with 43 goals this year. Three other Nailers were named to the ECHL All Rookie Team including Jordan Morrison, Elgin Reid and Mitch Ganzak. Placing four players on the All Rookie squad is a new record for a single team shattering the old record of two.
Big Promos!
Friday, April 3rd the Nailers take on the Dayton Bombers at 7:35 on Fan Appreciation Night. The Nailers will give away special prizes to several fans in attendance and one lucky fan will win the chance to shoot for a new car courtesy of Doan Ford. It's also Little League night. All Little Leagues can get a special $10 Nailers and Wild Things combo ticket. And one lucky Little League organization will win $500 for their program for uniforms and equipment. It's also a Friday Family Four-Pack night. Get 4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hotdogs and a large popcorn all for just $44.
Post-season playoff packages are available now. Purchase your 6-game playoff package that is good for the entire post-season. You get a discount vs. the gate price and any unused playoff credits are forwarded to the following season.
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2009-10 campaign. Reserve your season ticket for as low as $50. There are some great incentives to reserve your season ticket ahead of time. If you pay for your season ticket in full by May 1 the Nailers will give you free parking in the back lot for the season. Those who deposit $100 by May 1 will have the $18 arena fee waived. For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL (that's 234-4625) or log on at wheelingnailers.com.
Milestone Win for The Chief
Greg Puhalski recorded his 600th lifetime coaching win with the March 28th (Saturday) victory at the Elmira Jackals. "Chief" entered his 15th season as a head coach in professional hockey with 565 lifetime wins and the 35th Wheeling Nailers victory of the season got him to the milestone. Puhalski's all-time record now stands at 600-357-110. Puhalski began his coaching career in 1994 with the ECHL's Toledo Storm and has also served at the bench with the UHL's Port Huron Border Cats, Fort Wayne Komets and Chicago Hounds before returning to the ECHL with the Nailers in 2008. Congratulations on 600 wins Chief and we're looking forward to many more!!
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ECHL Stories from April 2, 2009
- Bombers Fall Short in Elmira - Dayton Bombers
- First Place Jackals Strike Again - Elmira Jackals
- Dinos Stamoulis Loaned to Springfield - Reading Royals
- Salmon Kings Yeo and Goldie named to all-ECHL teams! - Victoria Salmon Kings
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Mike Walsh Returns For Regular Season Finales - Utah Grizzlies
- Goalender Beauchemin Called Up To Houston - Idaho Steelheads
- Nailers Hope to Clinch Playoffs Friday Night - Wheeling Nailers
- Bryan Ewing Named to ECHL First Team - Wheeling Nailers
- Morin Named to 2008-2009 All-ECHL First Team - South Carolina Stingrays
- 2008-09 All-ECHL First Team Announced - ECHL
- Nailers Power Hour Returns Tonight - Wheeling Nailers
- Pair of Blades named to All-ECHL Teams - Florida Everblades
- B2 Announces ECHLTV Schedule For Apr. 2-9 - ECHL
- Wranglers Shuffle Roster, Taylor to AHL, St. Croix Returns - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Lamoureux Lands on First Team, Shasby Second - Alaska Aces
- 2008-09 All-ECHL Second Team Announced - ECHL
- Bonk and Derlago selected Second Team All-ECHL - Bakersfield Condors
- RoadRunners To Cease Operations At Conclusion Of 2008-09 Year - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Grizzlies To Wear Harley Jerseys Friday For MDA Night - Utah Grizzlies
- Macias, Montoya Increase ECHL Players In NHL To 404 - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Royals Fall In Elmira, 4-2 - Reading Royals
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