ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Everblades Game Day Snap Shot

December 15, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING NAILERS

(13-6-0-4, 30 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 3rd East)

66 GF, 58 GA

PP: 12.8% (10-for-78), 14th

PK: 90.4% (94-for-104), 2nd

15-F-Zack Torquato (9 goals, 19 assists, 28 points in 23 games)

17-F-Carter Rowney (6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 17 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points in 18 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 23 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points in 23 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points in 13 games)

1-G-Mike Condon (10-4-3 record, 2.24 GAA, .928 Sv% in 17 games)

FLORIDA EVERBLADES

(17-6-1-1, 36 PTS, 2nd South, 2nd East)

91 GF, 61 GA

PP: 16.0% (17-for-106), 9th

PK: 86.0% (92-for-107), 12th

36-F-Matthew Pistilli (14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points in 25 games)

77-F-Brandon MacLean (8 goals, 13 assists, 21 points in 23 games)

15-F-Mathieu Roy (10 goals, 9 assists, 19 points in 17 games)

8-F-Kyle Bonis (12 goals, 6 assists, 18 points in 23 games)

12-F-Rocco Carzo (6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 24 games)

18-F-Kellan Tochkin (4 goals, 12 assists, 16 points in 19 games)

25-D-Jordan Henry (1 goal, 10 assists, 11 points in 14 games)

1-G-Trevor Cann (4-2-0 record, 3.28 GAA, .886 Sv% in 7 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Everblades 1, Nailers 0

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Everblades 1, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Everblades 10, Nailers 5

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Everblades 5, Nailers 1

Down to the Last Second

On Saturday night, the Wheeling Nailers and Florida Everblades put on a spectacular show for the fans at WesBanco Arena, as the game was undecided until the final shot. Both squads had a pair of one-goal leads, as Wheeling led 1-0 and 3-2, while Florida led 2-1 and 4-3. The most dramatic part of the contest was the final two minutes of regulation, which saw Mike Merrifield put the Everblades on top with 1:58 remaining, before Zack Torquato tallied with one second to go, forcing overtime and eventually a shootout. Florida ultimately came out on top, scoring twice in the shootout to Wheeling's one.

Extra Attacker Leads to Extra Results

Although it's not a situation in the game that they particularly enjoy, the Nailers have enjoyed great success this season, when pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker. In Saturday night's tilt, Zack Torquato's goal at the 19:59 mark of the third came with Mike Condon on the bench, as Wheeling battled back to earn a point. Torquato's marker was the Nailers' third last-minute tying goal of the season, and their fifth goal scored with an extra attacker on the ice. Making Saturday's last-second tally even more impressive was the fact that the face-off leading to the goal took place with just nine ticks left on the clock.

Knockout Punches Delivering Wins

During the second period of Saturday night's game, Wheeling's Patrick McGrath and Florida's Tony DeHart dropped the gloves, recording the 24th fighting majors of the season for their respective clubs. McGrath's was his team-leading eighth, which puts him into a tie for second place in the ECHL, trailing only Jesse Mychan of Colorado, who has ten. Wheeling and Florida are tied for second in the Eastern Conference, with their 24 fighting majors, joined in the top four by Orlando and South Carolina. In an interesting twist, the Nailers, Everblades, Solar Bears, and Stingrays are also among the top five teams in the Eastern Conference's overall standings.

Instead of Warm Weather, Florida Brings Shootouts

Sunday afternoon will mark the 16th all-time meeting between the Nailers and Everblades, who have made it a habit to need extra time in their recent meetings. On Saturday night, Wheeling and Florida went to a shootout, with the visitors coming out on top, as Matthew Pistilli scored the deciding goal in the fourth round. That was the third straight shootout between the two clubs, who also went to a shootout in both games of last year's season series. Unfortunately for the Nailers, the Everblades have been victorious in all three of those clashes, improving their advantage in the all-time series to 10-5.

Helping Hand from Hamilton

On Sunday morning, the Nailers received great news, as their lineup will be bolstered by a pair of familiar faces. The Hamilton Bulldogs loaned forward Ben Duffy to Wheeling, while releasing forward Scott Zurevinski from his 25-game professional tryout. Duffy suited up in three games with the Nailers earlier this season, racking up two goals and one assist, with both tallies coming in a 3-0 win over Toledo on November 30th. Zurevinski has appeared in 16 games with Wheeling to this point, totaling three goals and three assists.

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



ECHL Stories from December 15, 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