ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot

Published on February 13, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (22-23-0-0, 44 PTS) vs. Reading Royals (33-13-1-1, 68 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(22-23-0-0, 44 PTS, 5th North, 11th East)

135 GF, 139 GA

PP: 18.2% (31-for-170), 10th

PK: 84.6% (154-for-182), 7th

23-F-Riley Brace (13 goals, 30 assists, 43 points in 34 games)

16-F-Derek Army (19 goals, 20 assists, 39 points in 45 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (10 goals, 26 assists, 36 points in 32 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points in 42 games)

3-D-Morgan Ellis (12 goals, 11 assists, 23 points in 37 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points in 40 games)

14-D-Tristin Llewellyn (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points in 39 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (11-9-0 record, 2.61 GAA, .914 Sv% in 20 games)

READING ROYALS

(33-13-1-1, 68 PTS, 1st East, 1st East)

174 GF, 137 GA

PP: 18.4% (39-for-212), 8th

PK: 84.4% (141-for-167), 8th

14-F-Pat Mullane (18 goals, 31 assists, 49 points in 48 games)

28-F-Cam Reid (18 goals, 24 assists, 42 points in 48 games)

13-F-Olivier Labelle (17 goals, 25 assists, 42 points in 48 games)

17-F-Adam Hughesman (16 goals, 24 assists, 40 points in 45 games)

16-F-Ryan Cruthers (10 goals, 26 assists, 36 points in 46 games)

27-F-David Marshall (16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points in 37 games)

2-D-Mike Marcou (4 goals, 23 assists, 27 points in 46 games)

30-G-Connor Knapp (17-7-0 record, 2.73 GAA, .910 Sv% in 26 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Royals 5, Nailers 4

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 4, Royals 0

All-Time Series: Royals 80, Nailers 60

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Royals 35, Nailers 33

One More to Finish the Homestand

The Wheeling Nailers will conclude their four-game homestand on Friday night, after winning two of the first three tilts last weekend. Last Friday, Wheeling started the weekend off in impressive fashion, taking down the Toledo Walleye, 4-1. One night later, things were again looking positive, as the Nailers had a 3-1 lead over the Cincinnati Cyclones after forty minutes. Unfortunately, the final period turned sour, as the Cyclones scored three unanswered goals for a 4-3 comeback win. On Sunday afternoon, Wheeling responded against the Elmira Jackals, as Derek Army's goal with 1.7 seconds left in the middle frame gave the home team a 2-1 lead after two periods. The Nailers went on to hold Elmira to just one shot during the final stanza, while Josh Archibald's second tally of the day provided the insurance in a 3-1 final score. Franky Palazzese and Eric Hartzell both backstopped one victory in goal.

Streaking Their Way to the Top

The Reading Royals are currently the hottest team in the ECHL, as they carry a 12-game winning streak with them into Friday night's contest. When the streak began on January 17th, the Royals were the third place team in the East Division, having accumulated 44 points in 36 games. Since then, Reading has overtaken Florida for the division lead with 68 points in 48 games. Last weekend, the Royals swept three games from the Everblades at Santander Arena, winning by scores of 5-4, 5-3, and 3-2. Most recently, Reading blanked the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-0 on Wednesday night, thanks to 22 saves by Connor Knapp, who has won eight straight starts. Five different players have scored at least ten points during the winning streak, led by Olivier Labelle's 15.

Archibald Adding to the Attack

When the Nailers began their stretch of four games in five days last week, they received two players from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, as Josh Archibald and Jean-Sebastien Dea joined the squad. Since then, the two have begun clicking like an offensive machine, combining for four goals, three assists, and seven points in the four contests, while posting a +6 rating. Archibald has appeared on the scoresheet in all four of his games in a Wheeling uniform, including a two-goal performance on Sunday afternoon. Dea picked up an assist on Archibald's insurance marker during Sunday's tilt, after netting his first goal as a Nailer on Saturday. Those two are the seventh and eighth NHL contracted players to suit up with Wheeling this season, joining Nick D'Agostino (PIT), Morgan Ellis (MTL), Stefan Fournier (MTL), Eric Hartzell (PIT), Matia Marcantuoni (PIT), and Harrison Ruopp (PIT).

Thanks for the Help

With their 5-0 thumping of Cincinnati, the Royals did the Nailers a favor, as Wheeling continues to battle the Cyclones, Kalamazoo Wings, and Indy Fuel for the last two playoff spots in the North Division. Although the rivalry between Wheeling and Reading has featured plenty of hatred during the first 140 games, the Nailers can thank the Royals for their assistance this season, as they have posted a 14-3-0 record against Wheeling's six divisional opponents. Nearly all of that success has taken place on the road, as Reading has gone 12-0-0 in North Division buildings not named WesBanco Arena, giving the team an overall road record of 17-5-1. The Royals, Elmira Jackals, and Greenville Road Warriors all have at least ten wins against the North Division, while the Nailers have racked up 12 victories against the East Division.

Bounce Back at the Banco

Friday night marks the tenth of 12 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Royals this season, as well as the fifth of six battles between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. The first nine contests have all been won by the home team, as Reading has collected five wins at Santander Arena, while Wheeling has come out on top four times in the Ohio Valley. The most recent clash took place on February 4th, when a two-goal second period turned out to be just enough for the Royals, who held on by inches for a 2-1 triumph. Connor Knapp had a stellar performance with 42 saves, as he improved to 3-2-0 against the Nailers in 2014-15. Reading's Adam Hughesman and Ryan Cruthers lead the way with nine points each during the season series, while Derek Army and Riley Brace both have seven points for Wheeling.

Friday, February 13th is Swipe Right Night on Valentine's Eve at 7:35 against Reading, as the Nailers invite all singles to the game to hopefully find their match. That evening will also be a Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and Player Poster Giveaway.

Other highlight games in February are a President's Day Matinee at 1:05 on Monday the 16th, Wing Fest on the 27th, and Pink in the Rink on the 28th.

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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from February 13, 2015


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