ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Jackals Game Day Snap Shot

February 15, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING NAILERS

(23-19-1-5, 52 PTS, 2nd Atlantic, T-9th East)

127 GF, 139 GA

PP: 13.3% (23-for-173), 18th

PK: 83.6% (168-for-201), 14th

21-F-Sahir Gill (10 goals, 26 assists, 36 points in 43 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (9 goals, 24 assists, 33 points in 26 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (9 goals, 19 assists, 28 points in 45 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points in 36 games)

17-F-Carter Rowney (8 goals, 14 assists, 22 points in 23 games)

27-F-Denver Manderson (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 15 games)

29-G-Peter Mannino (2-1-0 record, 1.62 GAA, .944 Sv% in 3 games)

ELMIRA JACKALS

(19-23-2-3, 43 PTS, 3rd Atlantic, 11th East)

124 GF, 149 GA

PP: 12.3% (20-for-162), 20th

PK: 83.8% (140-for-167), 12th

15-F-Mike Vaskivuo (15 goals, 29 assists, 44 points in 40 games)

16-F-Jordan Pietrus (7 goals, 25 assists, 32 points in 47 games)

27-F-Rob Bellamy (13 goals, 16 assists, 29 points in 47 games)

72-F-Jakub Culek (8 goals, 18 assists, 26 points in 36 games)

19-F-Danny Hobbs (13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points in 40 games)

7-D-Kyle Bushee (6 goals, 12 assists, 18 points in 44 games)

1-G-Neil Conway (5-0-0 record, 1.92 GAA, .946 Sv% in 6 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 6, Jackals 2

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 4, Jackals 1

All-Time Series: Jackals 37, Nailers 28

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 18, Jackals 14

Searching for the Sweep

The Wheeling Nailers will conclude their three-game homestand on Saturday night, after picking up victories on Wednesday against the Toledo Walleye (4-1) and Friday against the Reading Royals (4-2). While the Nailers limited their two opponents to just three goals in the two games, the offense was a major reason for the team's success, as Wheeling lit the lamp eight times, while registering 71 shots on goal. In Friday's game, Wheeling surrendered the first goal, but battled back with each of the next three, courtesy of Sahir Gill, Denver Manderson, and Carter Rowney. Mike Condon made 28 saves in goal for the win, including a lunging save on Ryan Cruthers during the third period.

Late Game Thriller in Elmira

The Elmira Jackals enter Wheeling with a 7-1-1 record in their last nine games overall, after a heartstopping win on Friday night against the Evansville IceMen. Elmira never trailed in the contest, taking 2-0 and 3-2 leads, only to see Evansville battle back in similar fashion to the Reading Royals on Wednesday night. With 9.2 seconds remaining in the third, the Jackals secured their two points, as Jordan Pietrus won a face-off to Ludwig Karlsson for the game winning goal. Pietrus had three helpers in the game, giving him 25 on the season.

Seventh Heaven, Thanks to the Returning Players

On Friday night, Zack Torquato, Carter Rowney, Denver Manderson, and Barry Goers returned to the lineup for the Nailers, after they all spent time with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. While it was expected that the four would make a difference, the impact was clearly visible, as all four players appeared on the scoresheet, accounting for three goals, four assists, and seven points. Manderson led the way with two goals, earning the game's first star, while extending his point streak to four games. Furthermore, Denver lit the lamp with a shorthanded marker for the third consecutive contest. Rowney's tally ended up as the game winner, while Torquato's two assist, and Goers' helper finished off the scoring for those four.

Conway Clutch in the Crease

With both of Elmira's goaltenders from the start of the season unavailable (Scott Greenham in the AHL, Maxime Clermont injured), the Jackals have been turning to Neil Conway in recent games. Conway hasn't disappointed his new team, rattling off victories in five consecutive starts, after making his debut in a relief appearance on January 25th. Neil hasn't allowed more than three goals in any of his starts, while making at least 35 saves in four of the five games. After splitting last season with the CHL's Rapid City Rush and Quad CIty Mallards, the Concord, OH native spent the start of the 2013-14 campaign with Nottingham of the EIHL, before joining the Jackals last month.

A Lot Happens in a Month

Saturday night marks the ninth of 15 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Jackals, with Wheeling currently holding a 6-2 lead in the season series. Although they do see each other frequently, the two sides haven't collided since January 3rd and 4th, when overtime victories were exchanged. With time comes change, as ten skaters and all four goaltenders from the most recent game will be out of their respective lineups on Saturday. Historically, the home teams have had the advantage, as Wheeling's 4-1-0 record this year at WesBanco Arena gives it an 18-14 advantage all-time. Overall, Elmira has the edge, 37-28.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 15, 2014


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