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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

March 29, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (32-30-1-1, 66 PTS) vs. Cincinnati Cyclones (28-28-2-7, 65 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(32-30-1-1, 66 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

188 GF, 188 GA

PP: 17.1% (42-for-245), 15th

PK: 84.0% (226-for-269), 9th

23-F-Riley Brace (18 goals, 42 assists, 60 points in 53 games)

16-F-Derek Army (26 goals, 32 assists, 58 points in 64 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (17 goals, 39 assists, 56 points in 51 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points in 57 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points in 48 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (15 goals, 10 assists, 25 points in 58 games)

22-D-Clark Seymour (1 goal, 12 assists, 13 points in 52 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (15-12-1 record, 2.61 GAA, .916 Sv% in 28 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES

(28-28-2-7, 65 PTS, 5th North, 11th East)

175 GF, 193 GA

PP: 14.8% (35-for-236), 26th

PK: 79.8% (166-for-208), 25th

26-F-Jack Combs (30 goals, 43 assists, 73 points in 44 games)

20-F-Josh Shalla (17 goals, 25 assists, 42 points in 56 games)

19-F-Jack Downing (18 goals, 22 assists, 40 points in 68 games)

25-F-David Pacan (10 goals, 25 assists, 35 points in 56 games)

51-F-Branden Gracel (14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points in 62 games)

11-F-Stephan Vigier (13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points in 59 games)

12-D-David MacDonald (7 goals, 19 assists, 26 points in 57 games)

29-G-Rob Madore (13-17-8 record, 2.71 GAA, .905 Sv% in 39 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Cyclones 2, Nailers 1

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Cyclones 1, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 55, Cyclones 55

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 29, Cyclones 25

Victory Lane With Plenty of Caution Flags

The Wheeling Nailers earned their second win in as many nights on Saturday, treating nearly 3,000 fans to a thrilling and emotional contest on NASCAR Night. While the end storyline may have focused on the 147 combined penalty minutes, the Nailers also made sure to fill up the goal column, as they lit the lamp five times. Jarrett Burton opened the scoring in the first period, before a fluke empty net goal brought Reading even in the second. Wheeling answered right back with Chaz Johnson's go-ahead goal, then added to the cushion on Derek Army's team-leading 26th tally of the campaign. Brett Flemming brought the Royals to within a goal, but the Nailers had the final say, as Zack Torquato tacked on two more insurance markers in his 200th career game with the club. Eric Hartzell backstopped the win in goal, turning in a 29-save effort.

Lots of Extra Time Lately

The Cincinnati Cyclones played past regulation for the third time in the last four games on Saturday night, and the 12th time overall. With five minutes left in regulation, Cincinnati probably wasn't thinking about overtime, as Joe Basaraba's two tallies and Branden Gracel's one had the Cyclones ahead of the Fort Wayne Komets, 3-1. However, the Komets rallied back with two goals in a span of 32 seconds, forcing the tilt to bonus hockey. At 3:36 of overtime, newly acquired Jack Combs received a tripping penalty, putting Fort Wayne on the power play. Shawn Szydlowski netted the winning goal 28 seconds into the man advantage for his second goal of the evening and a 4-3 win for the Komets. Pat Nagle defeated Rob Madore, who made 26 saves for Cincinnati.

Winner Takes Fourth Place

With less than ten games remaining in the regular season, Sunday's contest will feature loads of meaning, as the Nailers and Cyclones battle to see which team could be part of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Wheeling enters Sunday with a one point lead, while also holding one game in hand. When it comes to the tiebreakers, in order, the Nailers have 28 wins in regulation and overtime to Cincinnati's 27. The Cyclones currently lead the season series, 2-1, while Wheeling has the better goal differential by 18. Following the head-to-head affair, the Nailers will have seven games remaining (ELM X3, EVN, KAL, REA, BRM), while Cincinnati will have six left (TOL X2, FW X2, IND, EVN).

These Two are Carrying the Mail

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Eric Hartzell and Rob Madore will be the starting goaltenders for Sunday's showdown between Wheeling and Cincinnati. This will be the fourth straight start for Hartzell, who has stopped 94 of 99 shots, while going 2-1-0 against offensive juggernauts Toledo, Fort Wayne, and Reading. Eric will be looking to erase some less than pleasant memories against the Cyclones, as he will make his fifth career start against them, still in search of his first win. In the other crease, Madore will make his 15th consecutive appearance, having gone 4-6-4 in the previous 14. Rob has won both of his starts against Wheeling this season, and owns a 4-3-0 career record against the Nailers.

Season Series on the Line

Sunday afternoon marks the fourth and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the second battle between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. Despite the fact that Cincinnati is the closest team geographically to Wheeling, the two sides have been practically foreign to one another, having played once in November, once in January, and once in February, prior to Sunday. Both squads came away with one-goal wins at US Bank Arena, as the Nailers prevailed 4-3 in the season series opener, before the Cyclones rebounded 3-2 shortly after the new year. The most recent clash took place in West Virginia, with Cincinnati erasing a 3-1 deficit for a 4-3 win. The deciding goal came during the final 40 seconds of regulation.

Sunday, March 29th wraps up the week at 4:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. That day will be a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and an Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.

Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.

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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.

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