Nailers Host Last Home Game For Three Weeks
Published on February 13, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Saturday, 7:35 (WesBanco Arena, Wheeling, WV) - Elmira Jackals at Wheeling Nailers
Sunday, 5:00 (Sovereign Bank Arena, Reading, PA) - Wheeling Nailers at Reading Royals
Preview:
The Nailers play their last home game for almost three weeks as they host the Elmira Jackals tonight at 7:35pm. It's the middle game of a three-in-three stretch for the Nailers who will conclude the weekend with a Valentine's Day encounter at the Reading Royals Sunday at 5:00.
Wheeling enters action having gone 6-3-1 in their last ten games. Wheeling is 9-1-2 in their last 12 home games and 4-0-1 in their last 5. The Nailers are 26-21-4 overall this season with 56 points, 6th in the American Conference tied with Kalamazoo, and only two points back of 5th place Florida.
The Elmira Jackals are 26-17-5 overall this season with 57 points, 1st in the Eastern Division which automatically places them 3rd in the American Conference. The Jackals are 8-0-1 in their last 9 games and also are on a 4 game win streak. Elmira's last loss in regulation was January 17th at Wheeling when the Nailers got them 2-1.
Tonight is Tim Horton's Mini-Stick Night for the first 1,000 kids age 14 and younger. It is also Boy Scout camp-out night at WesBanco Arena.
Last Night:
Wheeling built a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals by Aaron Clarke, Thomas Beauregard and Jordan Fox but they were unable to hold it as the Elmira Jackals came from behind for a 4-3 win Friday night at WesBanco Arena. Justin Donati led the way for Elmira with a hat trick while his twin brother Tyler Donati picked up the game-winning goal later in the 3rd period. Former Wheeling Nailers and Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Andy Chiodo made his first appearance back in Wheeling in over four year a memorable one as he got the win in relief for Elmira with 21 saves on 21 shots against his former team.
Notes:
Wheeling is 9-2-2 in their last 13 home games. The Nailers are 4-1-1 in their last 6 home games. Wheeling is 13-9-4 on home ice this season.
The Nailers are 13-5-2 in their last 20 games.
This is Wheeling's last home game for almost 3 weeks. The Nailers embark on a 7 game road trip beginning Sunday at Reading at 5:00. Wheeling's next home games are March 5 and 6.
Wheeling will play the North Division leading Cincinnati Cyclones three times on their upcoming 7 game road swing.
The Nailers are tied for 6th place in the American Conference. The top 8 teams qualify for the Kelly Cup playoffs in April.
After tonight there are only 20 games remaining in the regular season.
Thomas Beauregard and Jordan Fox scored goals back to back just nine seconds apart in the first period Friday night...their fastest consecutive goals of the season and also the fastest since Bryan Ewing scored consecutive goals 9 seconds apart at the Dayton Bombers on Feb 14, 2009.
Wheeling is 4-4-0 against Elmira this year. This Elmira's last trip to WesBanco in the regular season. The Nailers have one more game at First Arena in Elmira, NY on February 27.
Wheeling's power play on home ice is 1st in the league at 24.1% (34 for 141). They are taking on an Elmira team that has the ECHL's best overall penalty kill at 87.7% (31 for 252).
T.J. Fox tied an all-time Nailers record with 7 points in a single game with 2 goals and 5 assists last Saturday night. He is the 5th Nailer to register 7 points in a game. The last one to do it before him was Jordan Morrison on Dec 26, 2008.
Thomas Beauregard is 2nd in the ECHL and 1st in the American Conference with 32 goals. Beauregard passed his previous career high of 31 from 2007-08 when he was with the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Beauregard is also 2nd in the ECHL with 11 power play goals.
Aaron Clarke's shorthanded goal in Friday night's game was his 4th of the year which is most in the ECHL.
Andrew Lord is 3rd in the ECHL with 18 major penalties and 5th in penalty minutes with 140. Lord has 4 goals in his last 7 games.
Ryan Schnell is 3rd among ECHL rookies with 13 major penalties and 107 penalty minutes.
Cliff Loya has played 225 games in a Wheeling jersey in his 4 seasons with the Nailers. He is just 6 games away from passing the all-time Nailers leader Stephan Brannare (231 games, 1997-99, 00-01, 03-06).
The Jackals are led by the Donati twins. Tyler and Justin Donati are tied for the league lead in points with 73 apiece.
Elmira is 8-0-1 in their last 9 and on a 4 game win streak. Elmira's last loss in regulation was January 17th at Wheeling when the Nailers defeated them 2-1.
Former Wheeling Nailers and Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Andy Chiodo came on in relief Friday night to get the win for Elmira against his former team. Chiodo played 8 games for the Penguins in 2003-04 going 3-4-1. He played with the Nailers for parts of three seasons from 2003-04 through 2005-06. Friday was his first trip to Wheeling in over 4 years. Chiodo played last year in Russia and also spent two seasons in Finland.
Saturday - Wheeling Nailers (26-21-4)
Elmira Jackals (26-17-5)
Head Coach:
Wheeling - Greg Puhalski (3rd season with Wheeling, 16th in professional hockey)
Elmira - Steve Martinson
Affiliation:
Wheeling - Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Elmira - Ottawa Senators (NHL), Binghamton Senators (AHL)
Top Nailers
Wheeling - Thomas Beauregard (32-20-52), T.J. Fox (19-24-43), Jordan Fox (15-22-37), Aaron Clarke (16-20-36), Mitch Ganzak (6-29-35)
Top Jackals
Elmira-Justin Donati (29-44-73), Tyler Donati (23-50-73), Oliver Proulx (18-28-46), Yannick Tifu (13-31-44)
Top Goalies
Wheeling- Adam Berkhoel (7-5-2, 3.18, 0.890%)
Elmira- Julien Ellis (13-7-1, 3.35, 0.891%)
7 Game Road Trip:
The Nailers will be logging some serious miles over the next couple of weeks as they embark on a stretch of seven consecutive away games. Three of the games will be at North Division leading Cincinnati.
Sunday, Feb 14 5:00 - at Reading Royals
Friday, Feb 20, 7:30 - at Cincinnati Cyclones
Saturday, Feb 21, 7:30 - at Cincinnati Cyclones
Sunday, Feb 22, 4:00 - at Trenton Devils
Wednesday, Feb 24, 7:30 - at Cincinnati Cyclones
Friday, Feb 26, 7:30 - at Reading Royals
Saturday, Feb 27, 7:00 - at Elmira Jackals
Upcoming Home Games:
Wheeling returns home March 5th through the 7th for a three game homestand at WesBanco Arena. Friday, March 5th vs. Charlotte Checkers - WTRF Friday Family 4-Pack Night
Saturday, March 6th vs. Trenton Devils - O.V. McBear Bobblehead Night for the first 2500 fans from OVMC.
Sunday, March 7th vs. Trenton Devils - Sunday Family FunDay with post-game skate with the Nailers.
More Great Upcoming Promotions!
Tuesday, March 9th - Meet the Nailers! The team will be appearing at Perkins on National Road in Wheeling from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, March 20th - Affiliation Night celebrating the Penguins organization. Wheeling to wear the Baby Blue Penguins replica jerseys for the last time to be auctioned on eBay.
Sunday, March 21st - Pups and Pucks. Bring your dog to the game and cheer on the Nailers with man's best friend!
Friday, March 26th - Team Poster Giveaway Night for the first 2500 fans and Team Autograph Night after the game with the entire Nailers team appearing.
Friday, April 2nd - Nailers Baby Blue Ball-Cap Giveaway for the first 2500 fans courtesy of Main Street Bank.
Saturday, April 3rd - Fan Appreciation Night and Ticket Extravaganza. Lots of gifts and prizes on the last game of the regular season.
Extended Office Hours: The Wheeling Nailers have extended office hours during the week by popular demand and to accommodate our fans' busy schedules. Monday through Friday the Wheeling Nailers offices will be open until 6:00 pm. The Nailers are located at 1315 Main Street in downtown Wheeling for all your ticket and souvenir purchasing needs.
Experience Counts:
Greg Puhalski is entering his 16th year at the bench and 3rdfor the Nailers. He is second among all ECHL coaches with 601 coming into this season trailing only Steve Martinson who had 650 wins entering this year. Puhalski has over 200 ECHL wins dating back to the beginning of his coaching career with the Toledo Storm from 1994-98.
Right-Hand Man:
Greg Puhalski has an assistant coach on the staff this year. Doug Doull joins the Nailers and the Penguins organization after doing some coaching in Canadian University hockey for a couple seasons following his 8 year playing career in the AHL and NHL. Doull fought some of the NHL's toughest customers in his time with the Boston Bruins in 2003-04. He played 37 games in the NHL mostly with Boston (and 2 with Washington) and racked up 151 PIM's. His AHL career included stays with Hershey, San Antonio, Utah, Providence, St. John's, Saint John and with other AAA level teams in the old IHL in the late 90's with Michigan (now Kalamazoo), Detroit Vipers and Manitoba.
It's a Girl!!
Wheeling head coach Greg Puhalski is the Ohio Valley's newest Dad! His wife Ally is doing well after giving birth to that couple's first child, a healthy baby girl. Zara Katherine Puhalski was born at 7:05 p.m. on October 29th.
Nailers broadcaster Bob Rotruck and Nailers Accountant Linda Timberlake also share that birthday and both say they heartily approve of the date chosen by the newest member of Nailers Nation!
Congratulations Greg and Ally. And welcome to Nailers Nation Zara!!
ECHL Stories from February 13, 2010
- Steelheads top Utah in shootout - Idaho Steelheads
- Chiefs toppled by Cyclones - Johnstown Chiefs
- Nailers mount comeback in 3rd but fail - Wheeling Nailers
- Everblades Double Up Stingrays 4-2 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Checkers lose to Gladiators - Charlotte Checkers
- Dustin Sproat Delivers In Cyclones' 6-2 Win - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Brown, Gladiators Hold Off Checkers 2-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Everblades Top Stingrays 4-2 - Florida Everblades
- Toledo's Victory Creates Three-Way Tie for Second Place - Kalamazoo Wings
- Walleye Attendance Record - Toledo Walleye
- Walleye Shut Out Wings 3-0 - Toledo Walleye
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Ontario Reign - Stockton Thunder
- Game Preview: Condors Vs. Vegas Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - February 13 - ECHL
- Charlie Kronschnabel Loaned To Hershey - Reading Royals
- Nailers Host Last Home Game For Three Weeks - Wheeling Nailers
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira At Wheeling - Elmira Jackals
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Stingrays Gameday: Tailgate Saturday Tonight Against Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- Reign Shut Out By Thunder, 5-0 - Ontario Reign
- Chiefs Clipped By Wings - Johnstown Chiefs
- Another Utah Comeback Leads To 4-3 Shootout Win - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Ontario Reign - Stockton Thunder
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Condors Erase Three Deficits, But Fall In Overtime To Las Vegas, - Bakersfield Condors
- 7,745 Fans At Stockton Arena Enjoy Perugini's Fourth Career Shutout - Stockton Thunder
- Wranglers Clip Condors 6-5 In Overtime - Las Vegas Wranglers
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