ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Jackals Game Day Snap Shot

February 8, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (21-23-0-0, 42 PTS) vs. Elmira Jackals (26-17-0-5, 57 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(21-23-0-0, 42 PTS, 5th North, 11th East)

132 GF, 138 GA

PP: 18.7% (31-for-166), 10th

PK: 84.4% (151-for-179), 7th

23-F-Riley Brace (13 goals, 29 assists, 42 points in 33 games)

16-F-Derek Army (18 goals, 20 assists, 38 points in 44 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (10 goals, 25 assists, 35 points in 31 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (13 goals, 16 assists, 29 points in 41 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (12 goals, 11 assists, 23 points in 36 games)

14-D-Tristin Llewellyn (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points in 38 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (10 goals, 6 assists, 16 points in 39 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (10-9-0 record, 2.70 GAA, .913 Sv% in 19 games)

ELMIRA JACKALS

(26-17-0-5, 57 PTS, 3rd East, 5th East)

133 GF, 133 GA

PP: 18.7% (31-for-166), 9th

PK: 80.1% (165-for-206), 26th

21-D-Steven Shamanski (11 goals, 17 assists, 28 points in 47 games)

40-F-Taylor Stefishen (10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points in 36 games)

16-F-Matt Tassone (14 goals, 11 assists, 25 points in 25 games)

10-F-Mike Seidel (14 goals, 11 assists, 25 points in 34 games)

9-F-Thomas Nesbitt (11 goals, 13 assists, 24 points in 46 games)

18-F-Ryan Rashid (9 goals, 13 assists, 22 points in 43 games)

22-F-Justin Daniels (2 goals, 19 assists, 21 points in 35 games)

39-G-Sam Marotta (9-12-1 record, 2.50 GAA, .914 Sv% in 24 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 3, Jackals 1

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, Jackals 0

All-Time Series: Jackals 39, Nailers 37

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 22, Jackals 14

The One That Slipped Away

The Wheeling Nailers put together a solid performance during the first two periods of Saturday night's game, taking a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. However, the third period went completely in the opposite direction, as the Cincinnati Cyclones battled back with a 13-2 shots advantage, while scoring all three goals for a 4-3 decision in their favor. Jarrett Burton netted the first goal for Wheeling in the opening frame, before Tristin Llewellyn and Jean-Sebastien Dea found the back of the net in the second period. Llewellyn's marker was his first as a Nailer since being acquired from Gwinnett, while Dea, who turns 21 on Sunday, scored his first goal with Wheeling, after joining the team earlier in the week.

Jackals Jolting Great Competition

The Elmira Jackals have climbed up to third place in the East Division, thanks to five victories in their last six games. Three of those triumphs came this week, starting with a huge comeback victory against the Florida Everblades on Wednesday night. Elmira trailed by as many as three goals (4-1), before rallying back for a 6-5 overtime win, which was finished off by Lucas Bloodoff. On Friday night, the Jackals received goals from four different players, as they took down the Cincinnati Cyclones, 4-1. Then, on Saturday, Elmira got the best of the Toledo Walleye, as Travis Fullerton made 38 saves, while Thomas Nesbitt scored the eventual winning goal during the second period. All three of those wins came at First Arena, where the Jackals are 14-6-2, compared to a 12-11-3 mark on the road.

Heartbreak in the Last Minute

For the third time in less than a month, Wheeling avoided going to overtime, thanks to a game getting decided during the final minute of regulation. Unfortunately for the Nailers, the end result went against them for the second time in a row, as Cincinnati's Stephan Vigier collected his second goal of the evening, breaking a 3-3 tie with 37.5 seconds left in the third period for a 4-3 final score. Wheeling has now had more games decided in the last minute of play (3) than it has in overtime and shootouts combined (2). The Nailers have also had 16 games decided by one goal in regulation, going 7-9-0 in that scenario, to go along with 2-0 record in bonus hockey.

Sunday Love for the Friars

At this time last season, Wheeling's Derek Army and Elmira's Steven Shamanski were going to battle as teammates for the NCAA's Providence Friars. On Sunday afternoon, the two will take the ice as opponents, who have both had tremendous starts to their professional careers. With his assist on Saturday, Army recorded his 38th point of the season, lifting him into a tie for fourth place among rookies in points. Meanwhile, Shamanski, who was the Jackals' representative at the 2015 All-Star Game, ranks tied for third among defensemen in the ECHL with 11 goals. His 28 points are tied for eighth among defensemen and 13th among rookies. Both former Friars currently lead their respective squads in rookie scoring, while playing for a pair of former Providence College assistant coaches in Clark Donatelli and Jamie Russell.

Now the Rivalry Gets Cooking

Sunday afternoon marks the fifth of 13 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Jackals this season, as well as the third of seven battles between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling has defeated Elmira in three of the prior four contests, including a pair of comeback victories at home. The Nailers erased a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 shootout win on November 19th, before also coming back from being down 2-0 to defeat the Jackals 4-2 on January 10th. Tyler Fernandez broke a 2-2 tie in the final minute of the January 10th game, lifting Wheeling to the two points. This is the second of five straight games in the season series which will take place in West Virginia, including the first of three this month, as the Nailers won't travel to Elmira until March 20th.

Sunday, February 8th is a 4:05 face-off against Elmira, and after the game, fans can join the Nailers for a post game skate. Kids tickets for that contest will be $5, and the Oglebay Good Zoo will have an exhibit in the concourse.

Friday, February 13th is Swipe Right Night on Valentine's Eve at 7:35 against Reading, as the Nailers invite all singles to the game to hopefully find their match. That evening will also be a Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and Player Poster Giveaway.

Other highlight games in February are a President's Day Matinee at 1:05 on Monday the 16th, Wing Fest on the 27th, and Pink in the Rink on the 28th.

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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 8, 2015


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