
Nailers vs. Monarchs Game Day Snap Shot, December 20
December 20, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Nailers vs. Monarchs Game Day Snap Shot
Wheeling Nailers (12-10-2-0, 26 Pts.) vs. Manchester Monarchs (17-7-1-1, 36 Pts.)
WHEELING NAILERS
(12-10-2-0, 26 PTS, 5th North, T-8th East)
79 GF, 77 GA
PP: 16.7% (18-for-108), 15th
PK: 75.5% (77-for-102), 27th
26-D-Kevin Schulze (4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points in 24 games)
11-F-Cody Wydo (9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points in 24 games)
23-F-Garrett Meurs (9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points in 24 games)
22-F-Adam Krause (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points in 16 games)
8-F-Nick Sorkin (6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 19 games)
17-F-Jordan Kwas (7 goals, 8 assists, 15 points in 24 games)
29-G-Sean Maguire (0-3-0 record, 4.75 GAA, .856 Sv% in 3 games)
MANCHESTER MONARCHS
(17-7-1-1, 36 PTS, 1st North, 1st East)
100 GF, 77 GA
PP: 23.1% (21-for-91), 3rd
PK: 91.0% (91-for-100), 1st
26-F-Daniel Ciampini (8 goals, 16 assists, 24 points in 24 games)
19-F-Daniel Doremus (4 goals, 18 assists, 22 points in 24 games)
28-F-Quentin Shore (9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points in 25 games)
12-D-Justin Agosta (6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points in 23 games)
14-F-Derek Arnold (6 goals, 12 assists, 18 points in 25 games)
6-D-David Kolomatis (3 goals, 14 assists, 17 points in 25 games)
1-G-Sam Brittain (12-3-1 record, 2.44 GAA, .912 Sv% in 17 games)
Head to Head
2015-16 Season Series: Nailers 1, Monarchs 1
2015-16 Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Monarchs 0
All-Time Series: Nailers 1, Monarchs 1
All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Monarchs 0
Almost a Replay of the Night Before
The Wheeling Nailers had their most memorable comeback of the 2016-17 season on Friday night, when they erased a 4-0 deficit, scoring six of the game's last seven goals, stunning the Fort Wayne Komets, 6-5 at WesBanco Arena. On Saturday night, the two teams met again in Fort Wayne, and nearly featured a repeat performance. The Nailers fell behind 3-0 in the first period, as the Komets got goals from Mike Cazzola, Brady Vail, and Kyle Thomas. Former Fort Wayne forward Garrett Meurs put Wheeling on the scoreboard in the middle frame, before the two sides exchanged a couple of markers in a 21-second span, with Thomas scoring for Fort Wayne and Andrew Ammon for the Nailers. Cody Wydo lit the lamp with 4:11 to go for Wheeling, cutting the deficit to one, but the visitors came up short in their quest for the equalizer, as the Komets escaped victorious, 4-3. Despite suffering the defeat, Sean Maguire made 24 saves, including some big stops at key times.
Home Cooking Rises to the Top
The Manchester Monarchs will play their first road game since November 29th, when they visit WesBanco Arena on Tuesday night. The Monarchs are coming off of a six-game homestand which they took full advantage of, winning two games each against the Kalamazoo Wings, Norfolk Admirals, and Elmira Jackals. Manchester outscored those teams, 30-14, as it found the back of the net at least four times in each win, while limiting the opposition to three goals or fewer in each of the contests. Daniel Doremus was the team's leading scorer during the homestand, with nine points, followed by Rihards Bukharts, who had eight points, while leading the way with six goals. Kevin Morris recorded four goals and five points, with three of the four goals being game winners. Sam Brittain was the winning netminder in four of the games during the stretch, as he ran his season record to 10-2-0 at SNHU Arena.
The Rankings Reflect the Standings
In many cases, clubs who have great success in the two special teams departments typically tend to have a good chance at securing a postiive win-loss record. Take for example the Wheeling Nailers and Allen Americans, who boasted the top two power play percentages in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs, en route to a showdown in the championship series. The Monarchs come to Wheeling on Tuesday with the highest point total (36) in the Eastern Conference, as well as the third highest total in the ECHL, and fans won't have to scan far down either special teams category to find them. Manchester's penalty kill has been the toughest to crack in the league, having allowed only nine goals in 100 opportunities (91.0%). On the offensive side, the Monarchs have converted 21 times on 91 chances with the power play for a 23.1% success rate. The Nailers power play ranks 15th in the ECHL at 16.7%, and will be looking to bounce back from an 0-for-6 showing on Saturday. Meanwhile, the penalty kill is looking for a clutch outing, as it currently sits at 75.5%.
Happy to be Here
As documented earlier, the Monarchs have had great success playing on their home ice at SNHU Arena this season, compiling a 12-5-1 record, after already having played half of their home games. However, Manchester has also done well away from New Hampshire, going 5-2-1 when visiting other buildings. The Nailers have had greater success at home, especially lately, as they have won three of their four December tilts at WesBanco Arena, giving them an overall mark of 7-4-2 in front of their home fans. On the flip side, road games haven't been the friendliest for Wheeling, particularly in the last few weeks, as the Nailers have dropped four straight games away from the Ohio Valley, with the last road win occurring exactly one month ago on November 20th at Quad City. Wheeling will be looking to capitalize on a home friendly schedule in the upcoming stretch, as six of the next eight games will take place in their back yard.
One Game for All of the Marbles
Tuesday night marks the only head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Monarchs this season, and it takes place at WesBanco Arena. Despite it only being December, the magnitude of the contest will be a bit higher, as Wheeling and Manchester are now divisional opponents. So far, the Nailers have only seen Brampton and Reading out of their own division, as the first game against Elmira will take place on New Year's Eve, while Adirondack doesn't appear on the schedule until the middle of March. Wheeling has gone 3-4-1 in its games against the Beast and Royals, while the Monarchs have played against Adirondack, Elmira, and Reading, posting a 9-5-2 record. Last season, the two sides split their season series, with each team winning on home ice. Manchester took a 6-2 decision in the Granite State in February, before the Nailers responded with a 2-1 victory in April, which ultimately helped them qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
ECHL Stories from December 20, 2016
- Fucale Shines in Beast Win After Earning Spengler Cup Appointment - Brampton Beast
- Power Play Pushes Allen to 6-3 Win over Tulsa - Tulsa Oilers
- Gallant Effort Comes up Short, Fuel Fall 3-1 to Brampton - Indy Fuel
- Stingrays Upend Swamp Rabbits 6-3 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Fight off First Place Monarchs, 4-3 - Wheeling Nailers
- Monarchs Dropped by Nailers, 4-3 - Manchester Monarchs
- Fucale Set to Regain Team Canada Magic at Spengler Cup - Brampton Beast
- Players and Staff Distributing Teddy Bears this Week - Wichita Thunder
- Get Funky at Winter Fleetfest - Toledo Walleye
- Admirals Welcome Cranor to Front Office Staff - Norfolk Admirals
- ECHL Transactions - December 20 - ECHL
- Game Day Preview: Americans at Oilers - Allen Americans
- Cyclones Add Dollar Concessions to Upcoming Games - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Tonight's Game Has Been Cancelled - Adirondack Thunder
- Royals Game Scheduled for Tonight in Adirondack Postponed - Reading Royals
- College Hockey Comes to Allen Event Center in January - Allen Americans
- Stingrays Promotional Update - December 20 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Solar Bears Weekly Report: Week of December 19, 2016 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Saunders Claims CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week - Colorado Eagles
- Colorado's Saunders Named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Nailers vs. Monarchs Game Day Snap Shot, December 20 - Wheeling Nailers
- Faust Headed to AHL Texas - Idaho Steelheads
- Cazzola Named ECHL Player of the Week - Fort Wayne Komets
- Komet Cazzola Named ECHL Player of the Week - Fort Wayne Komets
- Terry McDougall's #19 to be Retired - Fort Wayne Komets
- Fort Wayne's Cazzola Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
- Komets to Retire Terry McDougall's #19 - Fort Wayne Komets
- Goaltender Kent Simpson Returns to Colorado - Colorado Eagles
- The Royal Road Ahead: Reading Royals at Adirondack Thunder - Reading Royals
- Gameday-Adirondack (14-6-2-3) vs. Reading (14-10-1-1) - Adirondack Thunder
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule 12.20 - Manchester Monarchs
- Santa Visits First Arena, Concession Items Discounted Before Holiday Weekend - Elmira Jackals
- Game Tonight at 7:05PM at the BOK Center - $1 Beer Night - Tulsa Oilers
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.
