ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Week In Review

October 13, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


The Wheeling Nailers opened training camp for the 2003-2003 season on October 4 at the Wheeling Civic Center. New head coach Pat Bingham had a few players from the previous season on the training camp roster. T.J. Reynolds, Chris McNamara, Jacques Lariviere, Tyler MacKay and Steve Burgess all began training camp with the Nailers after appearing in regular season games last season with Wheeling. Other former Nailers players, Steve Crampton and Arpad Mihaly, joined the Nailers training camp after it began when they were sent down from AHL camps. Former Nailers from two season ago, J.C. Ruid and Eddie Pershin, were also at this seasons training camp. In the first week of training camp the Nailers played three preseason games and won all three by outscoring their opponents 12-1 in the three games.

Wednesday, October 8

Dayton 0 @ Wheeling 6

The Nailers first preseason game of training camp was against the Dayton Bombers at Iceoplex, the Pittsburgh Penguins practice facility. It was the first game for both teams and the first period ended in a scoreless tie with Wheeling out shooting Dayton 11-7. Wheeling got a pair of second period goals from Jason Jaffray and J.F. DuFour to take a 2-0 lead. T.J. Reynolds and Dan Ennis scored power play goals early in the third period for a 4-0 Nailers lead. Jaffray scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the game, to put Wheeling up 5-0. Steve Crampton scored the final goal of the game in the 6-0 win. Nick Boucher made 22 saves for the shutout win.

Saturday, October 11

Roanoke 0 @ Wheeling 3

The Wheeling Nailers, Roanoke Express and Johnstown Chiefs played round robin preseason games in Johnstown to complete the Nailers preseason schedule. In the shortened first game the Nailers shut out their opponent for the second straight game. Tyler MacKay made his first start of the preseason and stopped all 11 Roanoke shots. Mark Kosick scored in the opening period to give Wheeling a 1-0 lead. Brendon Hodge and Steve Crampton each scored in the second period to close out the scoring.

Saturday, October 11

Wheeling 3 @ Johnstown 1

In the second game of round robin play the Nailers played the host Johnstown Chiefs. Arpad Mihaly gave the Nailers a 1-0 lead with an even strength goal in the first period. Johnstown tied the game 1-1 in the third period, the only goal the Nailers would give up during the preseason. Steve Crampton and J.C. Ruid would both score unassisted goals in the final period to give Wheeling a 3-1 win. Tyler MacKay made 13 saves on 14 shots for the win.

PREVIEW OF UPCOMING NAILERS GAMES

October 13-October 19

Saturday, October 18

Roanoke @ Wheeling 7:30p.m.

For the first time since the 1998-1999 season the Nailers will open a season at home. It will be the only meeting of the regular season between the Nailers and the Roanoke Express and it will be the debut of new Nailers head coach, Pat Bingham. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a rally towel courtesy of WesBanco and WTOV-9. During a special pregame ceremony the Nailers will introduce the new look Spike mascot. After the game Bingham will be in the WEEL-FM Autograph Booth to sign his poster and meet fans.

Sunday, October 19

Long Beach @ Wheeling 6:00p.m.

To close out the first weekend of the 2003-2004 season, the Nailers will play their only game against one of the new members of the ECHL. The Long Beach Ice Dogs, formerly of the West Coast Hockey League, will make an appearance at the Wheeling Civic Center for Beach Party Night. Fans will be given lei's when entering the Civic Center and the Buffet Man will be on hand entertaining fans in the concourse. Former West Virginia University football coach Don Nehlen will drop the first puck and he will be presented with a special Nailers jersey. Forward J.C. Ruid will be in the WEEL-FM Autograph Booth after the game to meet fans.

Preseason Player of the Week

The Nailers preseason Player of the Week is Steve Crampton. Crampton played in all three Nailers preseason games and scored a goal in every game. Crampton will begin his second season of professional hockey, both with Wheeling, after scoring 39 points on 13 goals and 26 assists in 69 games last season. He had four power play goals, one shorthanded goal and four game-winning goals last year and 79 penalty minutes.

Preseason Goaltender of the Week

The Nailers preseason Goaltender of the Week is Tyler MacKay. MacKay played both games for Wheeling on Saturday and recorded a win in each game. He made 11 saves in game one, a 3-0 win over Roanoke and 13 saves in game two, a 3-1 win over Johnstown. MacKay is entering his third season of professional hockey, having played his entire first year and the second half of last year with the Nailers. Last year he appeared in 27 games and had a record of 11-12-3, a goals against average of 3.43 and a save percentage of .904. MacKay registered two shutouts a year ago and had one assist.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 13, 2003


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