ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Beast Game Day Snap Shot

Published on March 8, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


A Rockin' Weekend in Reading

The Wheeling Nailers haven't had the most pleasant memories in their history, when traveling to Reading, but last weekend will certainly find its way near the top of the list. Wheeling swept a pair of games from the Royals, winning Friday night's contest, 7-4 in comeback fashion, before holding off a late surge by Reading on Saturday for a 4-3 triumph. Clark Seymour opened the scoring on Saturday, drilling in his fifth goal in 22 games with the Nailers this season. After the Royals drew even, Wheeling responded, netting three consecutive goals to take a 4-1 lead. Mathew Maione snapped the deadlock, and was followed on the scoresheet by Seymour and Adam Krause. Reading recorded a power play goal and a marker with the netminder pulled in the third, but were unable to overcome the Nailers, who were the victors, 4-3, backed by Franky Palazzese's 25 saves. The weekend sweep marked the first time ever that Wheeling won on consecutive days at Santander Arena.

No Help Against the Jackals

The Brampton Beast had an opportunity to assist the Nailers over the weekend, but were unable to do such a thing, as they were on the receiving end of a two-game sweep by the Elmira Jackals at Powerade Centre. The Friday night game was all Elmira, but it took a bit of time for the Jackals to get rolling, as they scored once in the first and second periods, before blowing the contest open with three tallies in the third, en route to a 5-1 final score. Nick Tuzzolino had a hat trick for the visitors, while Colin Murray was responsible for Brampton's lone marker. In Sunday's clash, the Jackals skated out to 2-0 lead, but the Beast rallied to even the score, on Murray's second goal of the weekend, as well as the first tally in a Brampton uniform by Steve Mele. However, with 8:40 remaining, Elmira got the go-ahead goal from Tyler Currier's right circle shot for the 3-2 win. Shane Owen defeated Kenny Reiter in both matches between the pipes.

A Wide Smile for Wydo

Nailers forward Cody Wydo received some exciting news on Tuesday, as he was awarded ECHL Player of the Week honors, after posting three goals, two assists, five points and a +7 rating in two wins against Reading last weekend. Wydo has come a pretty good distance to find success during his rookie season, as he started the year by playing in just eight of the team's first 21 games, registering two goals during that time. Since then, Cody has definitely found his scoring touch, as he has racked up 15 goals, 18 assists, and 33 points in his most recent 35 tilts. The Southgate, Michigan native started his upward trend by picking up at least one point in nine of 12 games during January, then duplicated that feat in February, including a run of eight straight contests finding the scoresheet. Wydo's 35 points are tied for 14th in the league in rookie scoring, and he becomes the first Wheeling rookie since Derek Army last April to win ECHL Player of the Week.

We Must Protect the House

This week, the Nailers will look to take their recent success on the road and translate that into some victories at home, as the team will take the ice for four games in six days, all at WesBanco Arena. Unfortunately, home ice hasn't been nearly as friendly as opposition buildings have been as of late, as Wheeling has gone 10-1-1 in its last 12 road contests, compared to a 3-4-0 mark at home during that time. The Nailers will welcome four different opponents to town this week, starting with Brampton, who has split four previous visits to West Virginia. The North division leading Toledo Walleye will be the guests on Friday, followed by the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday, who are currently four points behind Wheeling in both the division and conference. The final visitors will be the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday afternoon. After this four-game homestand, the Nailers will have 12 regular season games left in 2015-16, with only four of those taking place in front of their hometown fans.

Putting the Wraps on the Second Set

Tuesday night marks the ninth and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Beast this season, as well as the fifth battle at WesBanco Arena. This game was originally scheduled for January 24th, but Winter Storm Jonas prevented Brampton from reaching its final destination, pushing the contest back a few weeks. Each of the last three matches between the clubs took place in Canada, with Wheeling coming out on top in all three, utilizing comebacks in two of the victories. The Nailers enter Tuesday on a four-game winning streak against the Beast, while already having locked up the season series, 6-2, with this finale remaining. Road teams have had a decided edge in the two years that Wheeling and Brampton have faced off, combining for nine of the 12 overall wins. The Nailers posted a perfect 4-0-0 mark at Powerade Centre this season, running their all-time record to 7-1-0 in that building. The two sides have split the four tilts in West Virginia. Wheeling is 8-6-2 against the North Division, with seven games remaining after Tuesday.

Wheeling Nailers (28-23-2-3, 61 Pts.) vs. Brampton Beast (16-28-7-4, 43 Pts.)

WHEELING NAILERS

(28-23-2-3, 61 PTS, 2nd North, 9th East)

173 GF, 176 GA

PP: 17.0% (36-for-212), 10th

PK: 83.5% (182-for-218), 16th

23-F-Riley Brace (20 goals, 29 assists, 49 points in 40 games)

18-D-Mathew Maione (8 goals, 36 assists, 44 points in 54 games)

11-F-Cody Wydo (17 goals, 18 assists, 35 points in 43 games)

26-F-Adam Krause (13 goals, 8 assists, 21 points in 35 games)

25-F-John McCarron (8 goals, 13 assists, 21 points in 36 games)

17-F-Jordan Kwas (6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points in 44 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (18-14-2 record, 2.95 GAA, .903 Sv% in 34 games)

BRAMPTON BEAST

(16-28-7-4, 43 PTS, 4th North, 14th East)

140 GF, 199 GA

PP: 16.1% (36-for-223), 17th

PK: 77.1% (182-for-236), 28th

16-F-Chris Auger (18 goals, 15 assists, 33 points in 47 games)

27-F-Luc-OIivier Blain (6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points in 49 games)

9-D-Steven Kaunisto (4 goals, 15 assists, 19 points in 44 games)

2-F-Colin Murray (8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points in 37 games)

23-F-Nick McParland (5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points in 32 games)

26-D-Jordan Henry (2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points in 30 games)

34-G-Kenny Reiter (0-5-0 record, 4.06 GAA, .868 Sv% in 5 games)

Head to Head

Season Series: Nailers 6, Beast 2

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, Beast 2

All-Time Series: Nailers 9, Beast 3

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, Beast 2

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 8, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central