ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Rivermen Come to Town fighting for Playoff Spot

March 13, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV – The first place Wheeling Nailers host the Peoria Rivermen on Sunday, and this game could be a battle for a playoff spot. Peoria who was in the bottom of the North Division for most of the year have battled their way back, winning six in a row and going 12-2-3 in its last 17 games. They are in sixth place right now, but are only one point behind Toledo and two points behind Trenton for the last playoff spot, with three games in hand on both of those teams Peoria is sitting ready to take over. The race is tight in the North Division where seven points separate the six teams battling for those four playoff spots.

This could be a make or break weekend for the Rivermen as they travel to Toledo for games on Friday and Saturday. Toledo is currently ahead of Peoria by one point so winning those two games and getting four points could put them into fourth place if Trenton would lose to the Nailers on Friday and Dayton on Saturday.

To help the Rivermen secure some wins this weekend will be the ECHL's second leading goal scorer Brian McCullough who is nine goals back from Alaska's Chris Minard with 30. With those 30 goals McCullough also has 22 assists which puts him in a tie for 15th in the league in overall points. If McCullough can't come up with enough points to help Peoria beat Toledo, then Alfie Michaud the Peoria goaltender will help keep the puck out of the net. Michaud is second in the league among goaltenders, and only trails the Nailers Dany Sabourin. With Sabourin on call-up to Wilkes-Barre he would be the number one goalie with a 2.00 goals against average and a .930 save percentage.

Both teams might struggle on the special teams this weekend as the Rivermen are second in the league in penalty killing with a 88.07 percentage. The Nailers aren't far behind with their penalty killing being at 85.32, but facing one of the top PK units in the league could prove to be frustrating for the Nailers power play that has been doing well lately.

The Nailers continue on their road trip this week by facing the Trenton Titans Friday, then traveling to Johnstown to play the Chiefs on Saturday. The Nailers will travel home to face the Rivermen on Sunday at 5:05 for Kid's Day, where tickets for kids 12 and under will be $5. For more information please call the Nailers office at (304)234-4625 or 1-877-NAIL-TIX.

St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction

Press Release - March 11th 2005

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers will be auctioning off their 2005 St. Patrick's Day jerseys following their game on Thursday March 17th. Starting bids will $75. These are authentic game worn jerseys. For more information on the auction or to purchase game tickets call 304-234-4625. Thursday night will also be Guinness Green Out night with the first 1000 adults 21 and older receiving a pair a Guinness Thunderstixs. Their will also be special drink considerations on Thursday night to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 13, 2005


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