Nailers Thankful for Goaltending on Thanksgiving Eve
November 25, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - It's very rare that a hockey game at any level sees only one player record a point, but on Wednesday night, that was the case. Zack Torquato scored the only goal of the game at the 2:59 mark of the second period for the Wheeling Nailers, and Franky Palazzese made 28 saves, as Wheeling blanked the Reading Royals, 1-0 at WesBanco Arena.
There were two highlights during the opening stanza. The first came via a fight, as Patrick McGrath and Derek Mathers dropped the gloves 4:49 into the evening. That marked the third time that the two combatants went at it this season, and it lifted McGrath's career penalty minute total against the Royals over 100. Palazzese also turned in his first significant save, denying a breakaway by Matt Hatch with his left shoulder.
Early in the second period, the Nailers broke the deadlock on a terrific individual effort. Torquato gathered the puck in his own slot, beginning to skate his way through neutral ice. Upon gaining the offensive blueline, Zack slanted to the right, letting a wrist shot go, which flew up and over a surprised Adam Morrison's right shoulder.
Reading turned on the heat during the third period, equaling its shot total from the first two frames, putting a 14-2 advantage on the board. However, the Nailers did not break, and Palazzese made one more spectacular key save, again robbing Hatch on a breakaway, as the Royals forward tried to sneak a backhander through the legs.
Franky Palazzese stopped all 28 shots he faced in his second shutout of the season and third of his career for Wheeling. Adam Morrison made 24 saves on 25 shots in his Reading debut.
The 1-0 win was the Nailers' first by that score since April 23, 2014, when they edged South Carolina in game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. It was also Wheeling's first shutout win over Reading since January 25, 2012 and first shutout win against the Royals at WesBanco Arena since January 7, 2007.
The Nailers will host Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, in which the first 2,000 fans will receive a camouflage hat, courtesy of Main Street Bank. The puck drops at 7:35 against Brampton. Wheeling will then be home for three games next week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, led by Star Wars Night on December 5th. The Star Wars characters will be on hand for meeting and greeting, the team will be wearing special jerseys, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a t-shirt.
Download the Nailers new smartphone app presented by Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration. Available in theiTunes and Google Play Store. Use promo code "Leader" to receive 100 Nailers points.
In addition to Nailers Rewards, the app also includes:
Notifications and Alerts
News Feed containing team news, photos & videos
Interact Feed containing Nailers posts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Team Summary
Roster
Team Stats and League Standings
View Schedule & Buy Tickets
Venue Information (Map, Directions, Parking, and Seating Chart) Individual tickets, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now, with prices starting as low as $10 per seat. For tickets and more information, call the Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL or online at wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from November 25, 2015
- Peters Perfect in 3-0 Shutout Victory at Colorado - Florida Everblades
- Peters Nets 30-Save Shutout in 3-0 Everblades Victory - Colorado Eagles
- Rush Win Third Straight - Rapid City Rush
- Royals Fall in Pitcher's Duel in Wheeling, 1-0 - Reading Royals
- Thunder Speed Past Fuel on Thanksgiving Eve - Wichita Thunder
- Indy Grounded against Thunder - Indy Fuel
- Swamp Rabbits Rout Admirals on Thanksgiving Eve - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Jackals Fall to Adirondack in Close Contest, 2-1 - Elmira Jackals
- Norfolk Drops Seven Straight After Being Shut out against Greenville - Norfolk Admirals
- Mavericks Drop Mallards 4-1 - Quad City Mallards
- Nailers Thankful for Goaltending on Thanksgiving Eve - Wheeling Nailers
- Cyclones Drop Heartbreaker in Overtime - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Transactions - November 25 - ECHL
- Kevin Lynch Returns from AHL Manitoba - Florida Everblades
- Solar Bears Get into Thanksgiving Spirit with CFOC - Orlando Solar Bears
- Heat Assign Lomberg to Adirondack - Adirondack Thunder
- Admirals Release Quinn Smith - Norfolk Admirals
- Game Day Capsule: Indy at Wichita, November 25th - Wichita Thunder
- Gameday: Adirondack vs. Elmira - Adirondack Thunder
- Weekend Preview: IceMen off to Alaska - Evansville IceMen
- Admirals Issue Security Notice - Norfolk Admirals
- Game Notes: November 25 vs Ft Wayne - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Preview: Swamp Rabbits Meet Admirals Before Thanksgiving Meal - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Jackals Make First Visit to Adirondack - Elmira Jackals
- Annual Teddy Bear Game Set for Saturday, December 5th - Allen Americans
- ECHL Today - November 25 - ECHL
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