ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Start Eight-Game Road Trip Tonight

February 11, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers open an 8-game road trip tonight with a 7 p.m. contest against the Trenton Devils at Sovereign Bank Arena.

The Nailers are currently in third place in the North Division with 57 points. With 50 points, Trenton is fifth in the North Division. Division-leading Cincinnati is just two points ahead of the Nailers (59 points).

The Nailers are off on Thursday but play on the road at Dayton on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., then travel to Johnstown for a 2:30 p.m. contest on Sunday.

The Nailers' next home stand is Feb. 27-28 when they host Dayton and Trenton, respectively. The Feb. 27 game is Friday Family Four Pack Night, where families receive four tickets, four sodas and four hotdogs for just $44. In addition, a collector poster will be given away to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. A Coal Miner Spike Bobble Head will be given away to the first 2,500 fans in attendance at the Feb. 28 game.

For complete game notes, click here.

2008-09 Records

Wheeling: 25-14-2-5, 57 points (3rd place, North Division)

Trenton: 23-18-2-2, 50 points (5th place, North Division)

Last Time Out

Wheeling: The Nailers took the Elmira Jackals to overtime on Feb. 7, but fell 3-2 in a shootout in front of 3,747 fans at WesBanco Arena. Despite the loss, at the time, the shootout loss was enough to lift the Nailers back into a first-place tie in the North Division. Jordan Morrison assisted on goals by Elgin Reid and Mitch Ganzak. Ganzak's goal, scored from the blue line, forced overtime.

Trenton: On the road, the Trenton Devils lost to the Elmira Jackals on Feb. 8, 4-3. ... Jeremy Akeson paced the Devils with two goals and one assist.

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

Nailers lead series, 3-0-1. ... Wheeling has outscored Trenton 19-10 in their four meetings this season. ... The two teams will play seven more times this season after tonight's contest.

Head Coaches

Wheeling: Greg Puhalski (2nd season)

Trenton: Rick Kowalski (3rd season)

NHL Affiliate

Wheeling: Pittsburgh Penguins

Trenton: New Jersey Devils

AHL Affiliate

Wheeling: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Trenton: Lowell Devils

Top Scorers

Wheeling: Jordan Morrison is the top scorer that will be in uniform for the Nailers tonight with 59 points (17G, 42A). ... All-Star defenseman Elgin Reid is the team's second leading scorer with 33 points (12G, 21A). ... Bryan Ewing was the second leading scorer in the ECHL (31G, 31A, 61P) when he was recalled by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Feb. 7.

Trenton: Eric Castonguay leads the Devils with 37 points (13G, 24A). ... Defenseman Ryan Gunderson is the team's second leading scorer with 35 points (3G, 32A).

Newest Nailer

Signed on Monday, 25-year-old center John Mazzei, is the newest Wheeling Nailer. Mazzei played collegiately at Bowling Green State University, where he was teammates Nailer Ben Geelan. Mazzei played in 38 games with the New Mexico Scorpions of the CHL scoring six goals with five assists (11 points).

Nailers Currently With AHL Teams

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

Recently Returned

Aaron Clarke was returned from Binghamton on Tuesday. Clarke has played seven games in two separate stays with Binghamton this season, scoring one goal in seven games. He also played in three games for the Providence Bruins where he registered one assist.

IR Update

Kelly Miller (F) was transferred to the 7-day IR, and Todd Spencer was transferred to the 30-day IR on Tuesday.

Notes

Jordan Morris has a 4-game points streak (1G, 6A, and a 4-game assists streak (6). ... Nailers goalie Curtis Darling is 2-0-1 with a goals-against average of 2.27 in three games against Trenton this season. ... Eric Castonguay leads Trenton in scoring against Wheeling with five assists and one goal in three games. ... The Nailers have the best home power play unit in the league at 26.2 percent. They are third overall in the league on the power play at 21.5 percent. ... The Nailers are the highest scoring team in the ECHL, scoring an average of 3.96 goals per game.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 11, 2009


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