ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot

Published on March 28, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (31-30-1-1, 64 PTS) vs. Reading Royals (42-17-4-2, 90 PTS)

WHEELING NAILERS

(31-30-1-1, 64 PTS, T-4th North, T-10th East)

183 GF, 186 GA

PP: 16.9% (41-for-242), 15th

PK: 83.8% (222-for-265), 9th

23-F-Riley Brace (18 goals, 41 assists, 59 points in 52 games)

16-F-Derek Army (25 goals, 31 assists, 56 points in 63 games)

15-F-Zack Torquato (15 goals, 39 assists, 54 points in 50 games)

12-F-David Gilbert (16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points in 57 games)

20-F-Jarrett Burton (10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points in 47 games)

98-F-Chaz Johnson (14 goals, 10 assists, 24 points in 57 games)

22-D-Clark Seymour (1 goal, 11 assists, 12 points in 51 games)

30-G-Eric Hartzell (14-12-1 record, 2.67 GAA, .914 Sv% in 27 games)

READING ROYALS

(42-17-4-2, 90 PTS, 2nd East, 4th East)

238 GF, 189 GA

PP: 19.2% (51-for-265), 7th

PK: 83.6% (194-for-232), 11th

13-F-Olivier Labelle (26 goals, 36 assists, 62 points in 65 games)

17-F-Adam Hughesman (20 goals, 39 assists, 59 points in 62 games)

14-F-Pat Mullane (21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points in 65 games)

27-F-David Marshall (21 goals, 27 assists, 48 points in 54 games)

16-F-Ryan Cruthers (13 goals, 33 assists, 46 points in 59 games)

15-F-Sean Wiles (23 goals, 19 assists, 42 points in 64 games)

2-D-Mike Marcou (6 goals, 29 assists, 35 points in 63 games)

1-G-Martin Ouellette (16-8-2 record, 2.85 GAA, .911 Sv% in 26 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 5, Royals 5

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 5, Royals 0

All-Time Series: Royals 80, Nailers 61

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Royals 35, Nailers 34

A Third Period Thriller

The Wheeling Nailers evened their record at 1-1-0 on the current four-game homestand, thanks to a vital victory over the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night. Defense and goaltending dictated the first two periods of the contest, as Eric Hartzell and Pat Nagle kept the two squads off of the scoreboard. Fort Wayne's Eric Faille ultimately broke the deadlock at the 6:48 mark of the third period, but that was a lead that lasted for just 35 seconds, as Cody Wydo's first professional goal knotted the game at one. 2:13 after that, Sahir Gill put Wheeling ahead, when he redirected the rebound of Wydo's shot from the left corner. The Komets attempted to tie the game late, but Hartzell's 35 saves preserved the triumph for the Nailers, who are one victory away from five straight years with 20 wins on home ice.

Holding Off the Early Charge

The Reading Royals were also victorious on Friday night, as they came out on the right side of a 3-2 score against the Indy Fuel at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Reading had to weather a ridiculous storm by Indy in the first period, as the game was scoreless, despite a 20-3 shots advantage for the home team. The strong defense led to a quick attack by the offense in the middle frame, as Olivier Labelle needed just 1:41 to put the Royals ahead. Jordan Heywood added to the lead at the 9:59 mark of the second period, as Reading swayed the game into its favor. Indy pulled to within a goal on two occasions in the third period, but a 40-save evening by Martin Ouellette gave the Royals their 42nd victory of the season, and 22nd on the road.

First Night was One to Remember

There was plenty of local hype entering Friday's game, as Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist Cody Wydo was making his professional debut for the Nailers, following four years of college hockey at Robert Morris University. With the support of his teammates from the Colonials, Wydo took the opportunity to make the most of his big moment, earning the game's first star with one goal and one assist. The goal came at a key time in the tilt, as it evened the score for Wheeling at the 7:23 mark of the third period, while his helper came on Sahir Gill's winning goal. Wydo nearly picked up a third point in the second period, as his left circle slap shot was stopped by Pat Nagle, which was followed up by a shot off of the right post from Gill. Cody became the 45th different player to suit up for the Nailers this season, and the 39th to record a point. Tanner Burton registered his first ECHL point with an assist on Wydo's tally.

Torquato Adds Another Chapter

When he takes the ice for Saturday night's game, Zack Torquato will do so for the 200th time in regular season play with the Wheeling Nailers logo on the front of his uniform. In the 23-year history of hockey in Wheeling, only four other players have achieved that milestone, as Tim Roberts set the first benchmark with 215 games, which was later topped by Stefan Brannare and Cliff Loya, who are the current leaders with 231. Brendon Hodge and his 208 games are next in line for Zack to pass. Torquato's 173 points are the eighth most in team history, his 50 goals are tied for 13th, and his 123 assists rank fifth. Paul Cianfrini has the second highest total among active players, as he will appear in his 139th game as a Nailer on Saturday. Sticking with the theme of games played, Patrick McGrath played in his 100th professional game on Friday, Shane Bakker will appear in his 100th game as a pro on Saturday, and overall leader Chaz Johnson is six games away from 600 in his ten-year career.

Home Ice has Been Phenomenally Friendly

Saturday night marks the 11th of 12 head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Royals this season, as well as the sixth and final battle between the two clubs at WesBanco Arena. While the two former division rivals have seen plenty of each other in 2014-15, they have gone 42 days without playing on the same ice surface, dating back to February 13th, when Wheeling ended Reading's season-high 12-game winning streak with a 3-2 overtime triumph on home ice. The Nailers and Royals have dominated each other in front of their home fans thus far this season, as the home team has won each of the first ten contests, with both squads picking up five games in the win column. Reading's Adam Hughesman leads all scorers with ten points, while Wheeling is led by Jarrett Burton, who has nine points, despite appearing in seven of the ten tilts.

Saturday, March 28th continues CORE Weekend with NASCAR Night at 7:35 against the Reading Royals. The Nailers will be wearing special race car driver style uniforms, featuring their twitter handles on the nameplates. West Virginia University's Travis Braden will be signing autographs, and there will be two race cars on display.

Sunday, March 29th wraps up the week at 4:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. That day will be a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and an Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

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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