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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot

March 14, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING NAILERS

(29-24-1-5, 64 PTS, 2nd Atlantic, 7th East)

167 GF, 173 GA

PP: 15.9% (33-for-207), 13th

PK: 83.8% (197-for-235), 12th

15-F-Zack Torquato (14 goals, 33 assists, 47 points in 37 games)

21-F-Sahir Gill (10 goals, 31 assists, 41 points in 54 games)

17-F-Carter Rowney (11 goals, 26 assists, 37 points in 34 games)

2-D-Mike Ratchuk (14 goals, 20 assists, 34 points in 56 games)

16-F-Cody Sylvester (17 goals, 15 assists, 32 points in 40 games)

7-F-Max MacKay (14 goals, 27 assists, 31 points in 47 games)

1-G-Mike Condon (17-11-4 record, 2.47 GAA, .921 Sv% in 32 games)

READING ROYALS

(37-19-1-1, 76 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 1st East)

183 GF, 148 GA

PP: 16.5% (38-for-231), 11th

PK: 85.2% (173-for-203), 6th

16-F-Ryan Cruthers (12 goals, 33 assists, 45 points in 40 games)

15-F-Sean Wiles (17 goals, 21 assists, 38 points in 42 games)

10-F-Yannick Tifu (15 goals, 23 assists, 38 points in 47 games)

14-F-TJ Syner (16 goals, 20 assists, 36 points in 44 games)

18-F-Domenic Monardo (21 goals, 14 assists, 35 points in 57 games)

11-D-Michal Cajkovsky (12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points in 53 games)

30-G-Riley Gill (16-11-1 record, 2.49 GAA, .918 Sv% in 29 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Royals 9, Nailers 4

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Royals 4, Nailers 2

All-Time Series: Royals 75, Nailers 54

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Royals 35, Nailers 28

Had to Wait a Little Longer

The Wheeling Nailers were originally scheduled to play their final stretch of four games in five nights this week, but bad weather in Toledo forced Wednesday night's game against the Walleye to be postponed. That means that Wheeling will play its third straight game against an Atlantic Division opponent, as well as its ninth in the last ten contests. The Nailers' most recent game took place on Saturday night, when they erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Elmira Jackals, 3-2. Offensively, Dustin Stevenson scored for the fourth time in five games, Zack Torquato extended his point streak to seven games, and Mike Ratchuk netted his sixth game winning goal of the season (fourth in overtime). Eric Hartzell was the victorious goaltender, making 28 saves.

Eastern Conference Royalty

The Reading Royals are currently the hottest team in the ECHL, as they have won seven consecutive games, as well as nine of their last ten. That streak has lifted Reading into the top spot in the Eastern Conference - a position it occupied for the majority of the 2012-13 campaign, en route to a Kelly Cup title. Five of the Royals' seven victories have come at home, where they are now eight games above .500. However, the most recent contest took place on Wednesday night, when the Elmira Jackals got out to a 1-0 lead, before Reading rallied back for three unanswered goals in a 3-1 win. Domenic Monardo's team-leading 21st goal of the season was the game winner.

Clutch Time is Ratchuk Time

In Saturday's victory over the Jackals, Mike Ratchuk found himself in a familiar place - scoring an overtime goal to lift the Nailers to victory. Wheeling has gone 5-1 in overtime this season, with four of those tallies belonging to Ratchuk. However, Mike's ability to find the back of the net in key times hasn't stopped there, as he is tied for the league lead with six game winning goals (five in one-goal games), while also posting a 4-for-6 mark in shootouts. The South Buffalo, NY native's 14 goals also lead the league, and currently sit four shy of the team record for most goals (18) by a defenseman in a season.

Stevenson Finding His Scoring Touch

During his pro career, Wheeling captain Dustin Stevenson has made a name for himself as a physical defenseman, who shuts down top opposition scorers. However, in the last five games, Stevenson's offensive game has risen to a new level, as he has racked up four goals, four assists, and eight points, giving him 20 points for the season. Dustin has picked up one goal and one assist in four of his last five games, joining Zack Torquato (points in seven straight & 15 of 16), Carter Rowney (points in six of seven), and Cody Sylvester (points in ten of 14), who have made significant offensive contributions as of late.

Be Our Guests for the Last Time

Friday night marks the 14th of 15 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Royals this season, as well as the seventh and final battle between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. Reading got off to a strong start in the season series, going 6-0-1 in the first seven contests. Since then, the matchup has begun to even itself out, as both squads have won three times in the last six clashes. However, due to their early success, the Royals have clinched a winning record, picking up nine victories to the Nailers' four. Wheeling is 2-4-0 on home ice against Reading this season, as it enters the 130th all-time meeting between the two sides.

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