Nailers vs. Jackals Game Day Snap Shot
March 30, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers (34-25-1-5, 74 PTS) vs. Elmira Jackals (22-35-3-5, 52 PTS)
WHEELING NAILERS
(34-25-1-5, 74 PTS, 2nd Atlantic, T-7th East)
191 GF, 185 GA
PP: 16.3% (36-for-221), 12th
PK: 83.8% (217-for-259), 14th
15-F-Zack Torquato (14 goals, 38 assists, 52 points in 43 games)
21-F-Sahir Gill (11 goals, 34 assists, 45 points in 60 games)
16-F-Cody Sylvester (24 goals, 17 assists, 41 points in 46 games)
2-D-Mike Ratchuk (14 goals, 25 assists, 39 points in 62 games)
7-F-Max MacKay (15 goals, 19 assists, 34 points in 53 games)
98-F-Chaz Johnson (12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points in 57 games)
29-G-Eric Hartzell (7-4-1 record, 3.07 GAA, .902 Sv% in 12 games)
ELMIRA JACKALS
(22-35-3-5, 52 PTS, 3rd Atlantic, 12th East)
158 GF, 219 GA
PP: 11.6% (25-for-215), 22nd
PK: 82.6% (190-for-230), 18th
15-F-Mike Vaskivuo (18 goals, 34 assists, 52 points in 58 games)
16-F-Jordan Pietrus (11 goals, 29 assists, 40 points in 65 games)
19-F-Danny Hobbs (17 goals, 18 assists, 35 points in 52 games)
27-F-Rob Bellamy (15 goals, 20 assists, 35 points in 62 games)
20-F-Jean Bourbeau (11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points in 54 games)
7-D-Kyle Bushee (6 goals, 19 assists, 25 points in 58 games)
35-G-Tony Capobianco (first professional start)
Head-to-Head
Season Series: Nailers 11, Jackals 3
Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 5, Jackals 1
All-Time Series: Jackals 38, Nailers 33
All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 19, Jackals 14
Another Handful of Goals
The Wheeling Nailers opened their six-game homestand on Friday night, defeating the Toledo Walleye 5-3, for their third consecutive victory at WesBanco Arena, and sixth in the last seven games overall. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Chaz Johnson and Christiaan Minella put the Nailers on top, with goals during the middle frame. Toledo drew even early in the third, but Tyler Fernandez, Max MacKay, and Peter Merth all dented the twine after that, while Eric Hartzell made 31 saves for the victory between the pipes. The five-goal outburst was Wheeling's sixth in the last 12 games, and 13th of the season.
A Weekend With Atlantic Division Royalty
The Elmira Jackals completed their season series with the Reading Royals on Friday and Saturday nights, falling 4-1 at Santander Arena in the opening game, before dropping a 6-3 decision at First Arena in the finale. Reading's first place position and Elmira's third place ranking in the Atlantic are very reflective of the 16 games played between the two squads, as the Royals got the upper hand in each of the final 11 contests, en route to a 14-2-0 record against the Jackals. Elmira has won just five of 30 games against the Atlantic Division.
McGrath Found a New Column
Rookie forward Patrick McGrath has made a name for himself as a physical player for the Nailers this season, as he leads the team with 17 fighting majors and 167 penalty minutes. While Shane Bakker was busy dropping the gloves twice with Ryley Grantham on Friday night, McGrath took the opportunity to appear on the scoresheet in a different way. Tyler Fernandez broke a 2-2 tie at the 8:43 mark of the third period, with McGrath picking up an assist for his first professional point. The Wilkes-Barre, PA native became the 34th different Nailer to record a point this season.
New Face in the Elmira Crease
Both the Nailers and Jackals have gone through their share of goaltenders during the 2013-14 season, as Wheeling has turned to seven different backstops, while Elmira will have its sixth different player in the crease on Sunday. Tony Capobianco will make his professional debut for the Jackals, following a four-year career at Canisius College, where he posted a 39-47-10 record in 101 appearances. Capobianco will be the ninth goaltender to suit up in a game during the season series between Wheeling and Elmira, as he will be opposed by Eric Hartzell, who will look for his fifth win against the Jackals.
Sad to See the Series End
Sunday afternoon marks the 15th and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Jackals this season, as well as the seventh battle between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling has dominated the season series to an 11-3 tune, which has included a 5-1 advantage at home. However, Elmira has been the home team during the last five contests, with the Nailers picking up four victories. A 12th win in the season series would tie Wheeling's team record for most wins in a single season against one opponent, while a 25th point would break the previous record of 24. The Jackals lead the all-time series 38-33, but the Nailers have the upper hand at home, 19-14.
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