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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers vs. Swamp Rabbits Game Day Snap Shot, November 10

November 10, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling Nailers (2-5-0-0, 4 Pts.) vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-8-1-0, 7 Pts.)

WHEELING NAILERS

(2-5-0-0, 4 PTS, 6th Central, 13th West)

18 GF, 26 GA

PP: 16.7% (6-for-36), T-12th

PK: 83.8% (31-for-37), 15th

NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins

AHL Affiliate: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

27-F-Zac Lynch (3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points in 7 games)

10-F-Troy Josephs (4 goals, 2 assists, 6 points in 5 games)

21-F-Cam Brown (1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points in 7 games)

12-F-Renars Krastenbergs (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 6 games)

22-D-Kevin Spinozzi (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 6 games)

14-F-Cedric Lacroix (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 7 games)

30-G-Matt O'Connor (0-1-0 record, 4.00 GAA, .840 Sv% in 1 game)

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

(3-8-1-0, 7 PTS, 7th South, T-13th East)

27 GF, 46 GA

PP: 14.5% (9-for-62), 19th

PK: 73.2% (41-for-56), 27th

NHL Affiliate: Independent

AHL Affiliate: Independent

12-F-Johno May (7 goals, 4 assists, 11 points in 12 games)

17-F-Austen Brassard (4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points in 12 games)

23-F-Michael Pelech (3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points in 12 games)

16-F-Chris Izmirlian (5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points in 12 games)

15-D-J.C. Brassard (6 assists, 6 points in 9 games)

9-F-Jordan Sims (2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points in 10 games)

33-G-Garrett Bartus (3-6-1 record, 3.47 GAA, .900 Sv% in 10 games)

Head-to-Head

Season Series: Nailers 1, Swamp Rabbits 0

Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Swamp Rabbits 0

All-Time Series: Swamp Rabbits 15, Nailers 13

All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Swamp Rabbits 9, Nailers 7

Getting the Job Done at Home

The Wheeling Nailers earned their first home victory of the season on Friday night, with an outstanding performance, as they defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 5-1 at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling took control of the game early, outshooting Greenville 11-3 in the first period, while turning on the red light twice. The goals came courtesy of Troy Josephs from the high slot and Michael Phillips on the rebound of an Aaron Titcomb one-timer. The Nailers kept the train rolling in the right direction during the middle frame, extending their lead with two more markers. Cedric Lacroix netted the team's first shorthanded goal of the year from the left side of the crease, and Renars Krastenbergs swatted in a rebound that came powering off the end boards. Cam Brown put the icing on the cake in the third period, and John Muse's 17 saves helped lead Wheeling into the win column.

Not Much Luck in the Rabbit's Foot

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits lost for the eighth time in their last ten games on Friday night and fifth time on the road, as they wound up on the short end of a 5-1 decision against the Nailers. Despite those struggles, it was the first regulation loss for Greenville against a Central Division team, as it had gone 1-0-1 against the Toledo Walleye on opening weekend. The Swamp Rabbits dug themselves a large hole in Friday's contest, giving up two goals each in the first and second periods, then one more in the third, before Jake Bolton netted the club's lone tally of the night with a slap shot on the power play with 11:10 remaining. Garrett Bartus got the nod in goal for the tenth time in 12 games, and ended up with 21 saves on 26 shots in the defeat. As a team, the Swamp Rabbits have allowed 46 goals this season - the second most in the ECHL.

A Night Full of Firsts

In addition to Friday being Wheeling's first home win of the season, there were lots of players celebrating the first big milestones of their professional careers. The first player to celebrate was Michael Phillips, who scored ten goals in France last season. That made his eventual game winning goal on Friday his first professional goal in North America, which drew an assist from Aaron Titcomb for his first point as a Nailer. In the second period, Cedric Lacroix celebrated his first career goal, and fellow rookie Renars Krastenbergs joined in the fun 2:12 later, as he also turned on the red light for the first time as a pro. The final first of the evening went to Robbie Hall, as his first ECHL point was an assist on Cam Brown's tally. After adding in Eliot Grauer's two goals in the season opener at Norfolk, four players have scored their first ECHL goals for Wheeling this season.

Shorties Adding up

Cedric Lacroix's goal at the 16:29 mark of Friday's second period came shorthanded, giving the Nailers their first goal of the season when playing down a player. However, it was the fourth shorthanded goal of the year in games involving Wheeling, and third straight game featuring one. The Swamp Rabbits have had their struggles on special teams, as their power play ranks 27th in the ECHL, while their six shorthanded goals allowed are the most in the league. Shorthanded tallies appear to be on the rise in the early part of the season, as all but six teams have scored at least one, while all but six teams have allowed at least one. The Nailers also turned on the red light while playing 4-on-4 for the first time, as Troy Josephs' fourth goal in five games came with one player from each side in the sin bin.

Going for the Series Win

Saturday night marks the second of three head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Swamp Rabbits this season, as well as the second and final battle at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling ended a brief two-game skid a home in the all-time series against Greenville, while increasing its overall winning streak to three games, thanks to Friday's 5-1 triumph. The victory also ended a four-game winning streak for the road teams, while being just the third win for the home side in the last 11 matches. The last time the Nailers won two games in the same season at home against Greenville was 2012-13, when they swept a two-game set in December, en route to a 4-2 win in the season series against the then Road Warriors. Wheeling has a chance to secure its first victorious season set, with one tilt remaining between the squads next Sunday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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