ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Weekly

December 9, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Friday, December 6 Wheeling 4 @ Toledo 3 (SO)

Wheeling and Toledo met for the fourth time this season, third time in Toledo, with the Storm winning the first three games. Toledo took a 1-0 lead at 5:46 of the first period on a Mike Bayrack power play goal. The Nailers tied the game and then took the lead 2-1 with two goals in the final 1:13 of the opening period. Michel Ouellet tied the game 1-1 at 18:47 on a goal assisted by Zenon Konopka and Mario Larocque. At 19:44 the Nailers took their first lead of the night on a Bobby Russell goal from Konopka. In the second period the Storm struck for two goals to take a 3-2 lead. Both Toledo goals were unassisted. Nathan Lutz scored the first goal at 8:43 and Nick Parillo scored the second goal at 11:55. In the third period the Nailers tied the game on a Mark Moore power play goal at 10:03. Arpad Mihaly and Ryan Gillis assisted on the goal. The game went to overtime and eventually a shootout tied 3-3. In the shootout the Nailers got goals by Ouellet and Russell while Mike Valley made four saves on four shots for the win. Valley made 45 saves on 48 shots in the game.

Saturday, December 7 Wheeling 0 @ Cincinnati 8

The Nailers entered this game 2-0-0 against the Cyclones this season, both games played in Wheeling. This would turn out to be the worst loss in Wheeling franchise history by shutout. Cincinnati scored two goals in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Matt Noga scored his first goal of the game at 7:26 for a 1-0 Cyclones lead. Steve Gallace increased the Cincinnati lead to 2-0 with a power play goal at 11:37. At 1:29 of the second period Joe Cardarelli scored a power play goal to increase the Cyclones lead to 3-0. David Chant replaced Mike Valley in the Nailers goal after the score. Cardarelli scored another power play goal at 2:57 and Mike Jozefowicz scored at 3:14 to give Cincinnati a 5-0 lead. Valley came back in goal for the Nailers after the fifth goal. At 5:15 of the second period the Cyclones got a shorthanded goal from Noga for a 6-0 lead and Valley was replaced by Chant in goal again. Noga completed his hat trick with a power play goal at 10:04. Cincinnati closed the scoring at 17:36 of the second period on a Josh Maser goal for the Cyclones 8-0 lead. Valley made 10 saves on 14 shots and took the loss.

Sunday, December 8 Wheeling 3 @ Peoria 1

Wheeling and Peoria had played four games this season entering this game with the Nailers going 2-2-0. All four games were Nailers home games. Wheeling struck first with a Michel Ouellet goal at 14:48 of the first period. Mario Larocque and Dmitri Doulebenets assisted on the score. In the second period the Nailers increased their lead to 2-0 on an Arpad Mihaly goal from Mark Major and Chris McNamara. Bobby Russell scored his tenth goal of the season at 6:44 of the third period to give the Nailers a 3-0 lead. Steve Crampton and Mihaly assisted on the goal. Peoria cut their deficit to 3-1 on a Bret DeCecco power play goal at 11:50, but the Nailers held on for the 3-1 win. The Nailers were out shot 41-27 in the game and Mike Valley made 40 saves for the win.

PREVIEW OF UPCOMING NAILERS GAMES December 9-December 15

Friday, December 13 Dayton @ Wheeling 7:30p.m.

The Nailers are 1-2-1 against the Bombers this season, 0-0-1 in Wheeling. The Nailers Toys-for-Tots campaign will have its annual Teddy Bear Toss during this game. Fans can bring a new stuffed animal to the game and toss it on the ice after the Nailers first goal of the game. The stuffed animals will be collected for area youth in the Ohio Valley. It will also be a Broph's Bunch Family Night presented by Pepsi and a season ticket holder redemption night.

Saturday, December 14

Toledo @ Wheeling 7:30p.m.

Toledo makes its second trip to Wheeling this season for the fifth game of the season series between the Nailers and the Storm. The Nailers picked up their first win of the season against the Storm the pervious weekend in Toledo. Wheeling in 1-3-0 against the Storm this season, 0-1-0 at home. The Nailers Toys-for-Tots campaign will continue with collection bins at the entrances of the Wheeling Civic Center.

Sunday, December 15

Wheeling @ Lexington 6:00p.m.

The Nailers play the Lexington Men-O-War for the first time since the Macon franchise moved to Lexington after last season. The two teams will play each other four times in the 17 days beginning with this game. The Nailers and the Men-O-War will play each other eight times this season.

Player of the Week

The Nailers Player of the Week is Arpad Mihaly. Mihaly had one assist in the win on Friday in Toledo. On Sunday he scored the game-winning goal in Peoria and had an assist for two points. He also played at a +2 over the weekend.

Goaltender of the Week

The Nailers Goaltender of the Week is Mike Valley. Valley went 2-1-0 in three games over the weekend. He remained perfect in the shootout by making four saves on four shots in the win Friday against the Storm. On Sunday he made 40 saves on 41 in a 3-1 win in Peoria. For the weekend Valley had a goals against average of 3.23 and a save percentage of .922.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 9, 2002


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