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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Jackals Game Day Snap Shot

March 14, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (29-27-1-0, 59 PTS) vs. Elmira Jackals (29-24-0-6, 64 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(29-27-1-0, 59 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

171 GF, 170 GA

PP: 17.0% (38-for-224), 15th

PK: 83.8% (201-for-240), 12th

23-F-Riley Brace (17 goals, 39 assists, 56 points in 46 games)

16-F-Derek Army (24 goals, 25 assists, 49 points in 57 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (14 goals, 35 assists, 49 points in 44 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (15 goals, 19 assists, 34 points in 52 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points in 41 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (12 goals, 9 assists, 21 points in 51 games)

9-D-David Makowski (6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points in 36 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (13-10-1 record, 2.71 GAA, .912 Sv% in 24 games)

ELMIRA JACKALS

(29-24-0-6, 64 PTS, 6th East, 8th East)

159 GF, 174 GA

PP: 18.6% (38-for-204), 9th

PK: 79.6% (195-for-245), 24th

10-F-Mike Seidel (19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points in 45 games)

40-F-Taylor Stefishen (12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points in 47 games)

18-F-Ryan Rashid (13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points in 54 games)

21-D-Steven Shamanski (12 goals, 20 assists, 32 points in 57 games)

9-F-Thomas Nesbitt (11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points in 57 games)

20-F-Riley Wetmore (6 goals, 18 assists, 24 points in 47 games)

14-F-Lucas Bloodoff (9 goals, 10 assists, 19 points in 33 games)

39-G-Sam Marotta (10-16-1 record, 2.58 GAA, .912 Sv% in 30 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 6, Jackals 1

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 5, Jackals 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 40, Jackals 39

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 25, Jackals 14

Donatelli Alone at the Top

The Wheeling Nailers will take aim at their second three-game winning streak of the season on Saturday night, following an important 4-1 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night. In addition to defeating a key divisional opponent, the triumph also made history, as Clark Donatelli earned his 125th win as head coach of the Nailers, breaking Doug Sauter's previous record of 124. The contest started slowly, with no goals and 15 shots in the first period, before the two sides exchanged a pair of goals on 38 shots in the middle frame. In the third period, Wheeling pulled ahead on Zack Torquato's goal, and eventually added insurance, as Riley Brace and Derek Army lit the lamp. Franky Palazzese turned in another gem between the pipes, thwarting 40 of 41 Kalamazoo shots.

Who Needs the Middle

The Elmira Jackals put their five-game winless skid to bed on Friday night, as they played host to the Reading Royals at First Arena. For the home fans in attendance, the beginning and end of the contest were the most exciting parts, as Mike Seidel needed just 18 seconds to open the scoring for the Jackals, while Lucas Bloodoff snapped a 3-3 tie at the 4:26 mark of overtime, lifting Elmira to the triumph. Bloodoff also scored the tying goal at 4:37 of the third period, which ultimately forced bonus hockey, as the home squad erased what was a 3-1 Reading lead at one point. Daniel Turgeon netted the other marker for Elmira, which received a 25-save performance from Sam Marotta, who took over for Travis Fullerton four minutes into the middle frame.

Better View on the Inside

While the Nailers were busy taking care of their own business against Kalamazoo on Friday night, they also received help from the Orlando Solar Bears, who defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones for the third time in four tries this month. Those two results helped lift Wheeling into the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division for the first time since the middle of February. The Nailers currently hold one-point leads over Cincinnati and Indy, while trailing Kalamazoo by two points for third place. Wheeling and Cincinnati have both played in 57 games thus far, while Kalamazoo and Indy have taken the ice on 58 occasions. On Saturday night, the Nailers play host to Elmira, the Wings travel to Reading, the Cyclones host Fort Wayne, and the Fuel visit Toledo.

Nailing Down the Opposition

Derek Army's shorthanded empty net goal with 2:16 remaining on Friday night put the final punctuation mark on Wheeling's 4-1 victory over Kalamazoo. Thus far this season, the Nailers have had great success when the opposition pulls its goaltender, as Army's tally was the team's 11th empty netter of the campaign. In comparison to 2013-14, that year's squad potted nine empty net tallies. More often than not, the Nailers have been able to add insurance to their wins, as they have won eight one-goal games in regulation, compared to five two-goal victories and eight three-goal triumphs. Friday night served as the 27th time that Wheeling has led by at least two goals in 2014-15. 24 of those games have ended in celebration.

They Can't Wait to Go Home

Saturday night marks the eighth of 13 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Jackals this season, as well as the sixth of seven battles between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. This will also be the fifth straight game in the season series in West Virginia, which has been great news for Wheeling, who has an opportunity to lock up the set with one more victory. The Nailers have won all five games in their back yard, as well as one of the two games played in Elmira, where the two teams will clash twice next weekend. Most recently, Wheeling defeated the Jackals twice in a five-day span, picking up a 3-2 shootout victory on February 27th, before a 5-0 shutout win on March 3rd. Derek Army has eight points to lead all players in scoring in the seven tilts.

On Saturday the 14th, the Stanley Cup comes to WesBanco Arena, as Wheeling faces Elmira at 7:35. Three other NHL trophies will be on display on Memorabilia Night, which will also feature a trading card set giveaway and post game autograph session. The Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot will be at the game as well.

Tuesday the 17th is a 7:05 clash with the Toledo Walleye on St. Patrick's Day. Kids tickets will be $5.

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.

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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.

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