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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Komets Game Day Snap Shot

January 24, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (19-18-0-0, 38 PTS) vs. Fort Wayne Komets (27-9-1-2, 57 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(19-18-0-0, 38 PTS, 4th North, 10th East)

114 GF, 117 GA

PP: 20.0% (28-for-140), 4th

PK: 84.6% (132-for-156), 8th

23-F-Riley Brace (10 goals, 26 assists, 36 points in 26 games)

16-F-Derek Army (16 goals, 16 assists, 32 points in 37 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (10 goals, 19 assists, 29 points in 25 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (11 goals, 13 assists, 24 points in 34 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (10 goals, 11 assists, 21 points in 29 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (8 goals, 6 assists, 14 points in 32 games)

29-G-Franky Palazzese (9-11-0 record, 3.50 GAA, .888 Sv% in 21 games)

FORT WAYNE KOMETS

(27-9-1-2, 57 PTS, T-1st North, T-1st East)

147 GF, 116 GA

PP: 19.4% (30-for-155), T-7th

PK: 80.5% (128-for-159), 25th

15-F-Mike Embach (17 goals, 26 assists, 43 points in 37 games)

27-F-Shawn Szydlowski (20 goals, 22 assists, 42 points in 34 games)

36-F-Matthew Pistilli (12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points in 31 games)

55-D-James Martin (6 goals, 23 assists, 29 points in 39 games)

8-D-Drew Daniels (2 goals, 24 assists, 26 points in 39 games)

23-F-Garrett Meurs (12 goals, 10 assists, 22 points in 28 games)

35-G-Garrett Bartus (2-0-0 record, 3.79 GAA, .865 Sv% in 3 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 2, Komets 0

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Komets 0

All-Time Series: Nailers 6, Komets 2

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, Komets 1

Number 800 is in the History Book

The Wheeling Nailers started the second half of the regular season in exciting fashion on Friday night, as they debuted their new jumbotron, while doing battle with the division leading Fort Wayne Komets. Wheeling never trailed in the game, taking 2-0, 3-1, and 4-3 leads, only to see the Komets tie the score on each occasion. Finally, with 1:53 left in the third period, Morgan Ellis broke the deadlock for good, blasting in his second goal of the night and tenth of the season. ECHL All-Star Riley Brace contributed with assists on four of Wheeling's five goals, while Zack Torquato added a goal and an assist. Derek Army and Shawn Skelly also lit the lamp, while Franky Palazzese made 34 saves for the 800th victory in team history.

Cooling Off the Tail

Prior to last week, the Fort Wayne Komets had not lost consecutive games during the 2014-15 regular season. However, thanks to Friday night's 5-4 setback against the Nailers, Fort Wayne has now been on the wrong side of the scoring equation in three straight contests. Despite the defeat, the Komets top offensive players put together solid performances, as Shawn Szydlowski netted his team leading 20th goal of the season, as part of a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Leading scorer Mike Embach chipped in with three points of his own, accumulating two goals and an assist, while Drew Daniels tacked on one more marker from the blueline. Roman Will suffered the loss between the pipes, making 20 saves on 25 shots.

Loads of Late Game Drama

While the Nailers have still only needed bonus hockey twice in 37 games this season, they have certainly experienced their fair share of fights to the finish in the past month. Each of the last four weeks have featured a game decided with less than two minutes remaining, including one shootout and two last minute tallies. On January 2nd, Wheeling defeated Fort Wayne 5-4 in a shootout, after erasing 3-0 and 4-1 deficits. On January 10th, the Nailers came from behind to defeat Elmira 4-2, lighting the lamp for the winning goal with 26 seconds remaining. On January 18th, Brampton scored with under two seconds left for a 2-1 triumph. Finally, on Friday night, the Nailers dented the twine with 1:53 to go for the 5-4 final score. Friday served as Wheeling's 13th one-goal game of the season, in which it is 8-5-0.

Capitalize on the Advantage

Wheeling's power play posted a 1-for-5 mark in the game on Friday night, giving it 20 goals in 19 home games and 28 markers in 37 games overall. The Nailers have had great success when scoring on the man advantage during the 2014-15 campaign, going 14-5-0 when denting the twine at least once on the power play. On the opposite side of that equation, Wheeling has gone 5-13-0 when failing to score on the man advantage. The Nailers are also 11-2-0 when scoring a greater number of power play goals than the opposition. Riley Brace and Zack Torquato teamed up to assist on Derek Army's 5-on-3 goal in the third period of Friday's game, giving both players 12 power play points to lead the squad.

Half Way There

Saturday night marks the third of four head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Komets this season, as well as the second of three battles between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling has gotten the upper hand in the first two tilts of the campaign, winning by identical 5-4 final scores. After a shootout was necessary to decide the first clash, the Nailers got the job done on Friday night in regulation, earning their sixth victory in eight all-time contests against Fort Wayne. The two wins guarantee Wheeling at least a split in the season series for the third consecutive year, as the Nailers won both match-ups in 2012-13, before the two sides split four games last season.

Saturday's game will be Star Wars Night, as well as a ski cap giveaway to the first 1,000 kids (14 & under) in attendance, courtesy of WesBanco Bank. That night will also feature the annual Boy Scout Sleepover. Fans can purchase McDonald's Friends & Family tickets for $39.99, receiving four tickets, four hats, and four McDonald's Value Meal coupons.

The Nailers will play a three-game homestand on February 6th, 7th, and 8th.

Friday the 6th is a 7:35 game against Toledo, featuring Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and a player poster giveaway.

Saturday the 7th is Duck Dynasty Night at 8:05 against Cincinnati, with an appearance by Jep Robertson from A&E's highest rated television show.

Sunday the 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.

Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets 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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