ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Open Three-Game Set Against Chiefs Tonight On Road

Published on March 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers open an important 3-game series against the Johnstown Chiefs tonight at 7:05 p.m. The Nailers and Chiefs are currently locked in a second place tie in the North Division with 65 points apiece.

The Nailers have won four of their last five games and are coming off of a weekend home stand where they won two of three games and reclaimed one of four available playoff spots. After tonight's contest, the Nailers will return home and host Johnstown on Friday and Saturday night at WesBanco Arena at 7:35 and 8:05 p.m., respectively.

Friday's contest is another Friday Family Four Pack opportunity, where families receive four tickets, four hotdogs, four sodas and one large popcorn for $44. The first 1,000 youths ages 14 and under at Saturday's game will receive a free Nailers Youth Jersey compliments of United Bank and WTOV.

For complete game notes, click here.

2008-09 Records

Wheeling: 29-21-2-5, 65 points (Tied for 2nd place, North Division)

Johnstown: 31-22-3-0, 65 points (Tied for 2nd place, North Division)

Last Time Out

Wheeling: The Wheeling Nailers earned their 29th win of the season on Sunday, defeating Trenton, 4-3. Mitch Ganzak's power play goal and Kelly Miller's one-timer gave the Nailers an early 2-0 in the contest. Andrew Lord ended up with the game-winning tally on a perfect pass from Bryan Ewing. Curtis Darling stopped 31 Trenton shots for the win.

Johnstown: The Chiefs lost a 4-1 decision to the Florida Everblades on Saturday, Feb. 28. Kyle Bushee scored the Chiefs' lone goal.

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

Wheeling is 3-3-0-1 against Johnstown this season. The Nailers have won two of the last three contests against the Chiefs, including wins on Jan. 23 (3-2) and Dec. 20 (5-4). The Nailers are 11-17-3-1 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, D'Aversa Reassigned

Winger Luca Caputi and defenseman Jon D'Aversa were reassigned by the Pittsburgh Penguins from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to the Nailers today. Caputi played in five games with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, where he scored his first NHL goal. D'Aversa split time between the Nailers and Baby Penguins in 2007-08 and represented the Nailers at the ECHL All-Star Game, where he notched two points. He scored one goal with 13 assists for the Nailers in 2007-08. He has played in 55 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, scoring one goal with 21 assists.

Ewing, Cashman Called Up

Forward Bryan Ewing and defenseman Reid Cashman were both called up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday. Ewing is the second leading scorer in the ECHL with 72 points (36G, 36A) in 53 games. He is the league leader with six shorthanded goals and leads all rookies in the league in points (72), goals (36) and shorthanded goals (6). Cashman scored five goals with 13 assists (18 points) in 21 games with the Nailers this season. He has also played in 14 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, scoring two goals with three assists in 14 games.

Chief Goalie Returns

Johnstown all-star goalie Kris Mayotte was released from his professional tryout with the Hershey Bears of the AHL and returned to Johnstown on Tuesday. Mayotte played in four games with the Bears, where he went 1-1-1 with a 3.84 goals-against average. He is 18-9-2 with the Chiefs this season with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

Top Scorers

Wheeling: Forward Erik Johnson currently leads the Nailers with 15 goals and 22 assists (37 points). Center Andrew Lord and defenseman Mitch Ganzak are right behind with 35 points apiece.

Johnstown: Winger Petr Pohl leads Johnstown with 25 goals and 31 assists (56 points). Jarrett Konkle is the team's second leading scorer with 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points).

Nailers Currently With AHL Teams

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

Notes

In just seven games with the Nailers, Billy Ryan has recorded three goals and four assists ... Ryan, a 2004 third-round NHL draft pick of the New York Rangers, was signed by the Nailers on Feb. 18 after he played 15 games with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms. ... Chief Petr Pohl has six assists and nine points in his last five games. ... Johnstown's Jarrett Konkle has four goals and seven points in his last four games. ... Wheeling is No. 3 in the league on the power play at 21.5 percent while Johnstown is No. 9 at 17.3 percent. ... The Chiefs own the seventh best penalty kill in the ECHL at 84.5 percent while Wheeling is 14th in the league on the penalty kill at 81.3 percent. ... Johnstown lost three straight games, all of which were against Florida.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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