ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

January 9, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (15-11-1-5, 36 PTS) vs. Cincinnati Cyclones (20-9-1-1, 42 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(15-11-1-5, 36 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 7th East)

86 GF, 94 GA

PP: 12.6% (14-for-111), 17th

PK: 85.7% (120-for-140), 10th

21-F-Sahir Gill (7 goals, 17 assists, 24 points in 27 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (7 goals, 12 assists, 19 points in 31 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 22 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (5 goals, 10 assists, 15 points in 32 games)

22-F-Jack MacLellan (7 goals, 3 assists, 10 points in 16 games)

1-G-Mike Condon (10-4-4 record, 2.33 GAA, .925 Sv% in 18 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES

(20-9-1-1, 42 PTS, 1st North, T-2nd East)

108 GF, 83 GA

PP: 11.5% (15-for-131), 20th

PK: 84.3% (86-for-102), 14th

11-F-Anthony Luciani (8 goals, 14 assists, 22 points in 25 games)

25-F-Paul Crowder (9 goals, 10 assists, 19 points in 31 games)

63-F-Barry Almeida (10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points in 25 games)

44-F-Jonathan Hazen (5 goals, 10 assists, 15 points in 25 games)

4-D-Taylor Aronson (3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points in 25 games)

30-G-Joe Howe (5-0-1 record, 2.41 GAA, .920 Sv% in 6 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 3, Cyclones 2

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Cyclones 1

All-Time Series: Nailers 51, Cyclones 49

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 27, Cyclones 22

Ready to be Done with Reading

On Wednesday night, the Wheeling Nailers traveled to Reading, where they suffered a 6-2 setback against the Royals. Reading has been anything but a friendly opponent for the Nailers, who have earned just three points in seven head-to-head meetings this season. Sean Wiles, Yannick Tifu, and Ryan Cruthers led the attack for the Royals, as the three players combined for 11 of the team's 17 points. Max MacKay and Sahir Gill both had multiple point games for Wheeling, while Chaz Johnson also contributed with a goal. The Nailers are 14-6-1-4 against everyone except Reading.

The Cyclones Like Them Though

On the flipside, the Cincinnati Cyclones have had tremendous success against the Royals this season, going 3-0-0, while outscoring Reading, 13-3. Cincinnati's most recent game was a 6-2 triumph over the Royals on Saturday night, in front of a record crowd of 13,237 fans at US Bank Arena. The Cyclones flew out of the gates, taking a 5-0 lead, as Jack Combs and Trevor Lewis both lit the lamp twice. Combs has since been recalled to the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, after racking up nine goals and 13 points in eight games with Cincinnati. The Cyclones are 8-1-1 in their last ten games.

Welcome Back, Condo

After nearly one month with the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs, Mike Condon returns to the crease for the Nailers on Thursday night, looking to add to his 10-4-4 record. Prior to his recall, Wheeling earned at least one point in 11 of Condon's last 12 starts, as the team posted a 7-1-4 record. November's ECHL Rookie of the Month went 1-1-0 in three starts with the Bulldogs, including a shootout victory over Utica in his final appearance on December 28th. Joining Condon in Wheeling on Thursday will be defenseman Drew Schiestel, who has 215 professional games on his resumé.

Howe They've Been Winning

In mid-December, the Cyclones found themselves in a goaltending dilemma, as Scott Darling, Michael Houser, and Rob Madore were all in the American Hockey League. In a pinch, Cincinnati turned to rookie Joe Howe, who had previously played with the CHL's Missouri Mavericks. Thus far, Howe has been a pleasant addition for the Cyclones, as he has gone 5-0-1 in six starts, while registering a 2.41 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. Prior to turning pro, the Plymouth, MN native had a winning record in three of four seasons at Colorado College.

Midway Mark of the Season Series

Thursday night's game marks the sixth of 12 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the third of six at WesBanco Arena. Thus far, Wheeling has had the upper hand, picking up wins in three of the previous five tilts, including two of the three that have been played in Cincinnati. Both home games for the Nailers have gone to shootouts, with the Cyclones winning 3-2 on December 1st, before Wheeling responded with a 2-1 victory on December 7th. The two sides have met 100 times in their histories, with the Nailers holding a 51-49 edge.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 9, 2014


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