ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

Published on December 7, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING NAILERS

(12-5-0-3, 27 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 3rd East)

58 GF, 47 GA

PP: 11.8% (8-for-68), 14th

PK: 92.5% (86-for-93), 1st

15-F-Zack Torquato (7 goals, 16 assists, 23 points in 20 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points in 15 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points in 20 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points in 20 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points in 10 games)

1-G-Mike Condon (9-3-2 record, 2.04 GAA, .936 Sv% in 14 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES

(12-7-0-0, 24 PTS, 2nd North, 6th East)

62 GF, 52 GA

PP: 10.1% (9-for-89), 18th

PK: 85.0% (51-for-60), 15th

61-F-Wade Megan (9 goals, 6 assists, 15 points in 11 games)

63-F-Barry Almeida (9 goals, 4 assists, 13 points in 19 games)

11-F-Anthony Luciani (4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points in 17 games)

25-F-Paul Crowder (4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points in 19 games)

6-F-John McFarland (8 goals, 2 assists, 10 points in 17 games)

4-D-Taylor Aronson (3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points in 17 games)

29-G-Rob Madore (7-3-0 record, 3.03 GAA, .903 Sv% in 10 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 2, Cyclones 2

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Cyclones 1, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 50, Cyclones 49

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 26, Cyclones 22

Rat-Clutch Wins it in Overtime

When the game has been on the line in recent weeks, defenseman Mike Ratchuk has shown that he can be a valuable asset to have on the ice. On Saturday night, Ratchuk scored late in regulation to give the Nailers a temporary 3-2 lead, before netting the game winning goal at the 1:59 mark of overtime, as Wheeling defeated Reading, 4-3. Mike has scored game winning goals in three of the last four weeks, lighting the lamp at 17:37 of the third period on November 16th, 4:41 of overtime on November 23rd, and 1:59 of overtime on December 6th.

IceMen Defeated by Snow

On Friday night, the Cincinnati Cyclones were scheduled to play host to the Evansville IceMen, in a battle between the top two teams in the North Division. However, Mother Nature had other ideas, as stormy conditions hit Indiana and Ohio, among other places. Evansville was unable to reach its final destination, forcing the game to be postponed. Last season, the Nailers experienced similar fate, when a game in Kalamazoo was postponed last season. Wheeling won the rescheduled affair, 3-2 in a shootout.

Power Play Seeing Double

In the early part of the season, the Nailers have experienced some struggles on the man advantage, as they entered Friday with just six power play goals in their first 19 games. On the other side of the ice, the Reading Royals had allowed a league-low six power play goals in 16 games. Both trends changed on Friday, as Wheeling converted on two power plays, scoring multiple goals on the man advantage in a game for the first time this season. The Nailers' penalty kill thwarted all three of Reading's chances, continuing to hold the top spot in the league at 92.5%.

60% of the Time, He Fights, Every Time

Rookie forward Patrick McGrath dropped the gloves against Reading's Brandon Blandina during the second period of Friday's 4-3 Wheeling victory. The fight was McGrath's team-leading sixth of the season, as he is now tied for the fifth most fighting majors in the ECHL. Last season, the Shaverton, PA native led the QMJHL with 29 fighting majors, and proceeded to pick up five more during the preseason with both the Nailers and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. As a team, Wheeling ranks tied for fifth in the league, having thrown down 22 times with its opposition.

They Hit the Century Mark

Saturday night will mark the 100th all-time meeting between the Nailers and Cyclones, with Wheeling currently owning a slim 50-49 edge in the previous 99 regular season games. Cincinnati will become the sixth team to clash with the Nailers/Thunderbirds 100 or more times, joining the Johnstown Chiefs, Dayton Bombers, Toledo Storm, Trenton Titans/Devils, and Reading Royals. It will take a few seasons before Wheeling reaches 100 games against another opponent, as the next active team in line is Elmira, with 62 head-to-head tilts.

WWE Superstar Sgt. Slaughter, Saturday December 7th

On Saturday December 7th, the Wheeling Nailers and your local McDonald's present Boy Scout night 2013 with special guest WWE Superstar Sgt. Slaughter.

Nailers fans will be able to get autographs and pictures with the Sarge during the game.

McDonald's is offering a special ticket for fans that night. Purchase the FANtastic group or family pack and receive a free McDonald's value meal as well as a Nailers ball cap for as low as $13.50 a ticket.

For more information or to order your FANtastic package call 304-234-GOAL.

Promotion Name

Holiday Packs On Sale Now

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the sports fan in your life? The Nailers Holiday Packs are for you! Choose from three different packages starting at just $50.

Elf Package - $50

Four (4) Nailers Ticket VouchersYour Choice of a Nailers autographed puck or T-ShirtReindeer Package- $75

Four (4) Nailers Ticket VouchersNailers Reebok HatNailers T-ShirtAutographed Puck

Santa Package- $105

Ten (10) Nailers Ticket Vouchers

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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



ECHL Stories from December 7, 2013


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