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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

March 2, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING NAILERS

(28-22-1-5, 62 PTS, 2nd Atlantic, 7th East)

155 GF, 159 GA

PP: 15.2% (30-for-197), 13th

PK: 84.4% (190-for-225), 11th

15-F-Zack Torquato (13 goals, 30 assists, 43 points in 34 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (10 goals, 29 assists, 39 points in 51 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (11 goals, 20 assists, 31 points in 53 games)

17-F-Carter Rowney (10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points in 31 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (13 goals, 26 assists, 29 points in 44 games)

16-F-Cody Sylvester (17 goals, 11 assists, 28 points in 37 games)

29-G-Eric Hartzell (3-2-1 record, 2.81 GAA, .914 Sv% in 6 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES

(31-20-1-2, 65 PTS, 2nd North, T-5th East)

180 GF, 150 GA

PP: 12.0% (24-for-200), 21st

PK: 83.4% (136-for-163), 15th

11-F-Anthony Luciani (20 goals, 25 assists, 45 points in 44 games)

44-F-Jonathan Hazen (16 goals, 24 assists, 40 points in 48 games)

25-F-Paul Crowder (13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points in 51 games)

18-F-Trevor Lewis (12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points in 45 games)

4-D-Taylor Aronson (3 goals, 23 assists, 26 points in 47 games)

16-F-Dan Eves (5 goals, 17 assists, 22 points in 46 games)

33-G-Scott Darling (3-1-1 record, 2.14 GAA, .928 Sv% in 5 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 4, Cyclones 4

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, Cyclones 2

All-Time Series: Nailers 52, Cyclones 51

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 28, Cyclones 23

March Came in Like a Lamb

The Wheeling Nailers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night, as they began the month of March with a 4-1 setback at the hands of their Atlantic Division rivals, the Reading Royals. Wheeling opened the scoring on Max MacKay's first period power play goal, while jumping out to a 9-3 lead in shots on goal. However, the Royals roared back, taking the lead with a pair of goals in the first, before adding two more in the third, as the Nailers suffered just their fifth regulation loss in 27 games (19-5-3), when scoring the first goal. Kieran Millan made 24 saves, but suffered his first loss in a Wheeling uniform.

Shootout City for Cyclones

The Cincinnati Cyclones played a home-and-home series against the Evansville IceMen on Friday and Saturday, with both teams picking up wins on their respective home ice. Evansville took the opening game, 2-1, when Kellan Tochkin converted for the lone marker in the fifth round of the shootout. One goal also decided Saturday's shootout, but it came significantly earlier, as Josh Shalla found the back of the net in round one for the Cyclones. The shootouts were Cincinnati's eighth and ninth of the season - a total which includes two against the Nailers on December 1st and 7th. Wheeling has been involved in eight shootouts this season, but only two have occurred in the past 32 games (January 31st & February 15th).

Shooting Gallery Might be Helpful

It's no secret that shooting leads to scoring, and for the Nailers, that statement has held extremely true this season. Wheeling has gone 12-4-0 when outshooting its opposition, while also posting a 17-5-1 mark when recording at least 31 shots on goal. That could be good news for the Nailers on Sunday, as they face the Cyclones, who allowed 47 and 49 shots respectively in their last two games. Cincinnati has also watched the opposition take at least 30 shots in four of its last five tilts. However, shots have been few and far between in the season series, as the two teams have combined to reach 30 on five occasions in eight games (16 opportunities).

Delayed Return for Darling

Despite the fact that Sunday will be Cincinnati's fifth trip of the season to Wheeling, it will be the first visit for former Nailer goaltender Scott Darling, who has spent the majority of the campaign with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. Last season, Darling appeared in 32 games with Wheeling, posting a 13-12-4 record, ultimately earning himself the AHL contract. In 23 games between the two levels in 2013-14, the Lemont, IL native has gone 11-5-2, which also saw him take home AHL Goaltender of the Month in December. Darling will make the start, opposed by January's AHL Goaltender of the Month, Eric Hartzell.

Can't Get Much Closer Than That

Sunday afternoon's game marks the ninth of 12 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the fifth of six contests at WesBanco Arena. The first eight battles between the two squads have resulted in a completely even season series, as both sides enter with identical 4-3-1 records, two wins in each arena, and 19 total goals. The close play should come as no surprise, as Wheeling and Cincinnati have locked horns 103 times in their histories, with the Nailers holding a slim 52-51 advantage all-time. Wheeling also has the upper hand at home, winning 28 of 51 games.

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