ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. IceMen Game Day Snap Shot

December 21, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (13-7-0-5, 31 PTS) vs. Evansville IceMen (14-7-0-3, 31 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(13-7-0-5, 31 PTS, 1st Atlantic, T-4th East)

73 GF, 69 GA

PP: 11.1% (10-for-90), 14th

PK: 89.5% (102-for-114), 2nd

17-F-Carter Rowney (7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points in 19 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (6 goals, 11 assists, 17 points in 20 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 25 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points in 25 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points in 15 games)

18-F-Ben Duffy (4 goals, 2 assists, 6 points in 5 games)

29-G-Mathieu Corbeil (1-1-0 record, 2.47 GAA, .905 Sv% in 3 games)

EVANSVILLE ICEMEN

(14-7-0-3, 31 PTS, 2nd North, T-4th East)

81 GF, 80 GA

PP: 15.1% (13-for-86), 11th

PK: 82.2% (83-for-101), 20th

27-F-Jeremy Langlois (9 goals, 12 assists, 21 points in 16 games)

24-F-Matt Schepke (9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points in 24 games)

15-F-Nathan Moon (5 goals, 15 assists, 20 points in 22 games)

29-D-Matt Krug (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 24 games)

12-F-Mike Seidel (8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points in 24 games)

19-F-Daultan Leveille (6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points in 21 games)

23-F-Tom Zanoski (5 goals, 8 assists, 13 points in 10 games)

36-G-Garrett Bartus (3-4-1 record, 3.25 GAA, .903 Sv% in 8 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: IceMen 1, Nailers 0

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: IceMen 1, Nailers 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 2, IceMen 2

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, IceMen 1

Two Different Chapters

The Wheeling Nailers conclude their nine-game homestand on Saturday, when they take on the Evansville IceMen for the second night in a row. To this point, the eight games can be split in half, with the first four games featuring very little scoring, while the most recent four tilts have seen the offensive numbers rise significantly. The Nailers posted a 3-0-1 record in the first four games, outscoring their opposition, 11-7. However, the past four contests have seen a different result for the home team, as Wheeling has gone 0-2-2, while being outscored, 21-13.

They Aren't Strangers to Goals

The Evansville IceMen have seen plenty of pucks find the back of the net this season, as they enter Saturday with the second highest combined goal total in the ECHL. Evansville's 81 goals for rank third in the Eastern Conference, while its 80 goals against rank second highest in the Eastern Conference, leading to an overall total of 161 goals in 24 games. Friday night marked the sixth time this season that the IceMen have tallied six or more goals in a game, while they have allowed at least five goals in nine games.

'Tis the Season for Milestones

Despite falling 6-3, Friday's contest featured many milestones for the Nailers, who got off to an excellent start, leading 2-0 at the 1:15 mark of the first period. Wheeling's first goal was netted by Chaz Johnson, who scored his first home goal at WesBanco Arena. That marker was assisted by Ryley Miller, who recorded his first professional point. Nine seconds later, Myles Harvey joined the fun, as he blasted home his first pro goal. In the second period, Shane Bakker added his name to the list tallying his first career assist, before dropping the gloves for his first career fight during the third period.

Back With the Wheeling Feeling

Forwards Matt Schepke and Daultan Leveille returned to Wheeling on Friday night as members of the opposition, and both felt right at home, combining for five points. Schepke netted a pair of goals during the contest, deflecting in the eventual game winner at the 6:59 mark of the second period, before icing Evansville's win with a 2-on-1 marker at the 8:51 mark of the third. Leveille dished out three assists in his return, with two of the helpers coming on goals by Schepke. Former Pittsburgh draft pick Nathan Moon also shined, picking up one goal and two assists.

Now Serving 14 AHLers

On Saturday morning, the Nailers learned that another one of their players will be headed to the American Hockey League, as forward Zack Torquato was signed to a 25-game professional tryout by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Prior to the transaction, Torquato was tied for second in the league in scoring, racking up 22 assists and 31 points in 25 games. Zack recorded multiple points on 12 separate occasions, and had recorded at least one point in 12 of his last 15 contests. Once he and Matt Grassi make their season debuts, they will become the 13th and 14th players from this year's squad to suit up in the AHL during the 2013-14 campaign.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 21, 2013


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