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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Jackals Game Day Snap Shot

April 10, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (34-33-1-1, 70 PTS) vs. Elmira Jackals (32-31-0-7, 71 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(34-33-1-1, 70 PTS, T-5th North, T-11th East)

198 GF, 207 GA

PP: 16.9% (44-for-261), 15th

PK: 83.7% (237-for-283), 10th

16-F-Derek Army (28 goals, 34 assists, 62 points in 69 games)

23-F-Riley Brace (18 goals, 44 assists, 62 points in 58 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (18 goals, 39 assists, 57 points in 55 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (16 goals, 21 assists, 37 points in 61 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (12 goals, 16 assists, 28 points in 52 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (16 goals, 10 assists, 26 points in 61 games)

9-D-David Makowski (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 41 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (18-19-1 record, 2.93 GAA, .911 Sv% in 39 games)

ELMIRA JACKALS

(32-31-0-7, 71 PTS, 6th East, 10th East)

182 GF, 209 GA

PP: 16.8% (41-for-244), 16th

PK: 80.4% (226-for-281), 23rd

10-F-Mike Seidel (22 goals, 19 assists, 41 points in 56 games)

18-F-Ryan Rashid (15 goals, 25 assists, 40 points in 63 games)

9-F-Thomas Nesbitt (13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points in 68 games)

20-F-Riley Wetmore (6 goals, 19 assists, 25 points in 58 games)

14-F-Lucas Bloodoff (10 goals, 11 assists, 21 points in 43 games)

74-D-Nick Tuzzolino (2 goals, 19 assists, 21 points in 53 games)

4-D-Zach Tolkinen (5 goals, 14 assists, 19 points in 70 games)

32-G-Travis Fullerton (20-11-6 record, 2.68 GAA, .911 Sv% in 42 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 7, Jackals 4

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 5, Jackals 1

All-Time Series: Jackals 42, Nailers 41

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 25, Jackals 15

A Win for the Road Team

The Wheeling Nailers became the first road team to win a game in their season series against the Reading Royals, thanks to a thrilling 2-1 triumph on Wednesday night. As one could probably tell by the final score, Franky Palazzese was an integral piece of the victory, as he stopped 46 of the 47 shots he faced. His offensive support began at the 12:54 mark of the first period, when ECHL All-Rookie Team member Derek Army finished off a centering pass from Sahir Gill for his team-leading 28th marker of the season. Although Reading pulled even with a power play goal in the middle frame, the Nailers made sure that they were ahead at the end of that stanza. With 1:07 remaining, Josh Archibald potted the rebound of David Makowski's initial shot, giving Wheeling the 2-1 advantage, which turned out to be the final score.

Bad Luck Came in Three Days

The Elmira Jackals experienced a painful three days over the weekend, as their slim playoff hopes were shattered by three consecutive road losses to the Fort Wayne Komets, Toledo Walleye, and Indy Fuel. Elmira was outscored 12-5, as the opposition lit the lamp four times in each of the tilts, while never surrendering the lead. Individually, the best performance for the Jackals over the weekend came from Nardo Nagtzaam, who scored the first two goals of his professional career on Sunday in Indy, temporarily tying that game 2-2. However, the Fuel scored twice in a 61-second span in the third period, giving them the 4-2 victory. Elmira enters play on Friday with a 4-11-2 mark in its last 17 games.

Another Strong Season at Home

Fans at WesBanco Arena will cheer on their Nailers for the final time in the 2014-15 regular season on Friday night, in hopes that they will return for playoff action in a few weeks. Wheeling has already solidified its fifth straight campaign with 20 victories on home ice, as well as the 15th time it has reached that plateau in the team's 23-year history. While consistency is always nice, the Nailers will take aim at their highest win total at home since 2005-06, as they enter play with a 21-12-2 record in the Ohio Valley. The 2012-13 squad has the high water mark for home points in the past 11 years, as they started a string of back-to-back 21-win seasons with 49 points. Off of the ice, the team's attendance has already surpassed last year's final total by 4,860, meaning that number should climb well ahead of 7,000 with Friday night's crowd.

All Tight Around the Final Turn

As the 27th season of ECHL hockey comes to an end this weekend, 13 of 16 teams have already punched their tickets to the Kelly Cup Playoffs. However, the North Division is far from decided, as only the Toledo Walleye and Fort Wayne Komets have solidified their spots in the dance. With Wednesday's win and Cincinnati's shootout loss, the Nailers are now within two points of the fourth and final playoff spot, but one game in hand puts them in control of their own destiny. Of the four teams battling for two spots, Wheeling and Kalamazoo are the two clubs who will play on home ice, as the Wings can lock up a spot with a victory over the Fort Wayne Komets. The Cyclones will be in Toledo, where the Walleye are taking aim at the Brabham Cup, while the Indy Fuel will play the first of back-to-back games in Reading against the Royals, who still have a chance for home ice advantage in round one.

A Home-and-Home to Wrap Up the Series

Friday night marks the 12th of 13 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Jackals this season, as well as the seventh and final battle between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. Although Wheeling has already clinched the season series (7-4), Elmira has made a strong push over the course of the last month, winning three of four tilts, while acquiring seven of eight possible points. Each of the most recent three games have taken place in New York, where the two sides exchanged 2-1 victories in late March, before the Jackals received a 56-save performance by Travis Fullerton on April 1st in a 4-1 win. The Nailers are 5-1-0 in their backyard, as home teams have frequently controlled the all-time series. Three players have reached double digits in points against the opposition - Wheeling's Derek Army and Zack Torquato, and Elmira's Ryan Rashid.

The Nailers have one home game remaining in the 2014-15 regular season, with a 7:35 battle against the Elmira Jackals on April 10th . That night will be a Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and Player Poster Giveaway, in addition to Fan Appreciation Night.

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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