ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Week in Review

Published on December 30, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Friday, December 27 Johnstown 0 @ Wheeling 1 (SO)

For just the seventh time in the ten and a half-year history of the Wheeling franchise, the team was involved in a 1-0 game. With this win the organization is 3-3-1 in 1-0 games. This was the third time in team history that a game was scoreless after regulation and the second time the game went to a shootout. The Nailers out shot the Chiefs 30-25 in the game and had to hold of an offensive charge in the third period from Johnstown. The Chiefs out shot the Nailers 13-6 in the final period. The Nailers had the advantage in the overtime out shooting the Chiefs 3-2. In the shootout the Nailers scored one goal on four shots with Chris McNamara getting the goal on Johnstown goaltender Peter Aubry. Mike Valley made five saves on five shots in the shootout for the win. With this win Valley had won all four shootouts he has played in and has made 17 saves on 17 shots.

Saturday, December 28 Richmond 6 @ Wheeling 0

For the third time this season the Nailers lost a game by being shutout, the first time on home ice. The Renegades took control of this game early by scoring twice in the first minute of play. Milt Mastad gave Richmond a 1-0 lead at :37 and Jonathan St. Louis made it a 2-0 game at :57. Richmond added a third goal at 15:46 of the first period by Peter Hogan for a 3-0 first period lead. In the second period Hogan scored his second goal of the game to give the Renegades a 4-0 lead after two periods. Richard Pitirri and Leon Hayward each scored in the third period to close the scoring in the Renegades 6-0 win. Mike Valley took the loss and made seven saves on ten shots in 15:46 before being replaced by Tyler MacKay. MacKay made 19 saves on 22 shots in his first appearance of the season for the Nailers.

Sunday, December 29 Wheeling 3 @ Lexington 4 (SO)

The Nailers closed out a three game in three night swing in Lexington against the Men-O-War. Wheeling took a 1-0 first period lead on a Mike Nelson goal at 11:58 with Andrew McPherson and Dmitri Doulebenets assisting. Lexington tied the game at 15:25 on Mark Smith's first goal of the game. Before the first period ended the Nailers reclaimed the lead 2-1 on a Chris McNamara goal at 16:30. Doulebenets and T.J. Reynolds assisted on the goal. Smith completed his hattrick by scoring the only goals of the second period. His two goals gave Lexington a 3-2 lead after two periods. Zenon Konopka tied the game 3-3 for the Nailers at 10:45 of the final period with a power play goal. J.P. Soucy and Mario Larocque assisted on the goal. The game went to overtime and eventually a shootout tied 3-3. In the shootout the Men-O-War scored two goals on six shots for the win. Mike Valley made 32 saves on 35 shots in the shootout loss.

PREVIEW OF UPCOMING NAILERS GAMES December 30-January 5

Tuesday, December 31 Lexington @ Wheeling 7:00p.m.

Lexington leads the season series over the Nailers with a 2-1-0 record. The Nailers are 1-1-1 against the Men-O-War. This will be the 11th New Year's Eve game for Wheeling and tenth at home. Wheeling is 7-1-2 in their history on New Year's Eve, 7-1-1 at home. The first 1,000 fans will receive a rally towel courtesy of WTRF-7.

Thursday, January 2 Wheeling @ Dayton 7:00p.m.

The Nailers travel to Dayton for the third time this season and are 1-2-0 against the Bombers on the road. The Nailers are 1-3-1 against the Bombers in five games this season.

Friday, January 3 Cincinnati @ Wheeling 7:30p.m.

Cincinnati makes their third appearance of the season in Wheeling with the Nailers having won the first two games. The Nailers are 2-1-0 against the Cyclones this season having lost in Cincinnati. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a Pittsburgh Penguins Ski Cap.

Saturday, January 4 Atlantic City @ Wheeling 7:30p.m.

The Nailers and the Boardwalk Bullies will play each other for the third and final time during the regular season with the teams splitting the first two games. Each team has won on their home ice in the season series. This will be another Broph's Bunch Family Section Night presented by Pepsi. All kids 12 and younger will receive a ticket courtesy of Pepsi when an adult purchases a regularly priced ticket. The kids will also receive a free Broph's Bunch t-shirt.

Player of the Week

The Nailers Player of the Week is Chris McNamara. McNamara scored the only goal in the Nailers 1-0 shootout win over Johnstown and scored one goal in a 4-3 shootout loss in Lexington.

Goaltender of the Week

The Nailers Goaltender of the Week is Mike Valley. Valley went 1-1-1 in three games over the weekend. Valley had a goals against average of 2.48 and a save percentage of ..914. He recorded his second shut out of the season against Johnstown in a 1-0 shootout win.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 30, 2002


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.

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