ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Week in Review

February 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Saturday, February 8 Wheeling 3 @ Johnstown 0

The Nailers played their second of eight February games on Saturday night and only game of the week. Tyler MacKay stopped all 32 Johnstown shots for his second and the team's fourth shutout of the season. In his Nailers career, MacKay has three shutouts all by the score of 3-0. The Nailers took a 1-0 lead at 4:47 of the first period on a Zenon Konopka goal. Bobby Russell, in his first game back with the Nailers from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, assisted on the score. The goal was the 16th of the season for Konopka giving him the team lead in that category by one over Russell. The Nailers had the 1-0 first period lead despite being outshot 12-8 in the first 20 minutes. Wheeling extended their lead to 2-0 with a power play goal in the second period. Steve Crampton scored the goal at 15:13 from Konopka and Mario Larocque. The Nailers were outshot in the second period as well by a margin of 12-7. In the third period the Nailers increased their lead to 3-0 with a fortunate bounce. Matt Smith got credit for the goal as his shot from the blue line deflected off a Johnstown defenseman into the Chiefs goal. Ryan Gillis and Konopka assisted on the Smith goal. Shots in the third period were even 8-8. Mark Scally, a former Nailers player, started in goal for the Chiefs. It was his first appearance against the Nailers since he played for the team. MacKay improved his record to 6-6-0 on the season with the win.

PREVIEW OF UPCOMING NAILERS GAMES February 10-February 16

Friday, February 14 Wheeling @ Peoria 9:00p.m.

The Nailers travel to Peoria for the second time this season, having won their first trip on December 8 3-1. Arpad Mihaly scored the game-winning goal with Mike Valley getting the win by making 40 saves on 41 shots. In the season series the Nailers are 3-3-0 against the Rivermen.

Saturday, February 15 Wheeling @ Peoria 9:00p.m.

The Nailers end their two game weekend series with the Rivermen. These are the only two games of the week for the Nailers who return home on Friday, February 21 against the Toledo Storm. At the next Nailers home game the first 2,000 fans age 14 and younger will receive a Joe Mullen bobblehead doll. Mullen, an NHL Hall of Fame member and Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant Coach, will be at the Wheeling Civic Center for the game to sign autographs and meet fans.

Player of the Week

The Nailers Player of the Week is Zenon Konopka. Konopka was involved in all three Nailers goals in a 3-0 win in Johnstown, the only game the Nailers played last week. He scored a first period goal and assisted on the next two for his three points. Konopka also played at a +2 in the game.

Goaltender of the Week

The Nailers Goaltender of the Week is Tyler MacKay. MacKay won his and the teams only game of the week by recording his second shutout of the season. MacKay faced 32 shots in his 3-0 win and improved his season record with Wheeling to 6-6-0. It was the third shutout for MacKay in his Nailers career.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 10, 2003


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.

OurSports Central