ECHL Wheeling Nailers

No Love for Nailers in Toledo on Valentine's Day

February 14, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


TOLEDO, OH- The Wheeling Nailers and Toledo Walleye played their second of three games in as many weeks, and the two teams certainly weren't feeling the love on Valentine's Day. The Nailers weren't in love with the final score either, as Toledo scored twice during the first minute of the third period for a 5-2 victory at Huntington Center. Two of the goals were scored by Kyle Bonis, who recorded a hat trick. Zack Torquato extended his point streak to five games for Wheeling.

Both teams have had lots of offensive success in 2014-15, and that showed during the first period. Toledo opened the scoring at the eight-minute mark. Cody Lampl passed the puck to Martin Frk, who set himself up on the right side of the goal line. Frk followed that up by sifting a pass into the slot, where it was redirected into the net by Shane Berschbach. The Walleye added to their lead 3:13 later. Anthony Luciani dug a loose puck out of the right side corner, before feeding Kyle Bonis, who slammed in a one-timer from the left side of the slot. Wheeling needed just 29 seconds to bounce back after that, with its first tally of the night. Zack Torquato got a piece of a pass to make a steal, allowing Jean-Sebastien Dea to roof a wrist shot from the slot.

The Nailers snagged the only goal of the second period, converting on their tenth road power play marker of the campaign. Jarrett Burton won an offensive zone face-off with help from Josh Archibald. The puck found its way to the middle of the blueline, where Morgan Ellis took advantage of traffic in the slot, beating Jeff Lerg on the blocker side for his 13th goal of the season.

Toledo regained the lead during the first minute of the third period, scoring twice in a span of 37 seconds. The first goal came while the teams were playing 4-on-4, as Frk took a Berschbach drop pass, popping a shot into the right side of the cage. The second tally was a power play goal for the Walleye, as Luciani sprung Bonis on a breakaway, with Bonis faking to his backhand, sliding a shot just out of the reach of Franky Palazzese's left pad. Bonis completed his hat trick with 4:02 remaining in the final stanza, finding a vacant Nailers net from the right side of the red line for the 5-2 final score.

Jeff Lerg backstopped the win for Toledo, making 31 saves on 33 shots. Franky Palazzese suffered the loss for Wheeling, turning away 23 of the 27 shots he faced.

The Nailers will return to WesBanco Arena on Monday afternoon for a 1:05 game against the Elmira Jackals.

The Monday, February 16th game is a 1:05 face-off against the Elmira Jackals on President's Day. All kids and seniors tickets will be $5. Fans are also invited to stay after the game for a skate.

Elmira returns to town on Friday, February 27th at 7:35 as the Nailers host their annual Wing Fest game. That night will also be a Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway, and Wheeling Island Nailer Night.

Saturday, February 28th is Pink in the Rink, when Wheeling battles Greenville at 7:35. The Nailers will wear special jerseys, there will be pink rally towels handed out, and autographed mystery pucks will be available for purchase.

Sunday, March 1st wraps up the weekend at 4:05 against the Road Warriors on a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, Oglebay Good Zoo Day, and a post game skate with the team.

Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.

Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 14, 2015


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