ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Royals Take Opener of Home-And-Home Series

January 7, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


READING, PA- The Wheeling Nailers and Reading Royals have played seven games against each other in 2014-15, and the lead story continues to be home ice dominance. Unfortunately for the Nailers, they were the road team on Wednesday night, meaning it was the Royals who got the upper hand. Adam Hughesman recorded a goal and three assists for Reading, who peppered the Wheeling net with 45 shots in a 5-2 victory at Santander Arena.

One goal was scored during the first period, and it was the Royals who struck first. David Marshall stole the puck on the right side of neutral ice, springing Cam Reid on a breakaway. Reid kept the puck on his forehand, flicking a shot above Eric Hartzell's right pad for the opening marker.

The Nailers drew even at the 5:27 mark of the middle frame. Patrick McGrath kept the play alive in the offensive zone, with Derek Army lunging a pass through the slot to Jarrett Burton on the left side of the crease. Burton got just enough power behind the shot to dribble it through Connor Knapp and in over the line, squaring the game 1-1. With 1:21 left in the period, the Royals regained the lead, courtesy of a power play goal. Adam Hughesman entered on the right side of the offensive zone, fluttering a pass to Olivier Labelle across the way. Labelle stepped into the left circle, zipping a shot into the left side of the cage.

Reading added to its advantage in the third period, finding the net twice in a span of 73 seconds. The first tally came from Jordan Heywood, who reached out to redirect Cam Reid's centering pass from the left side, getting just enough to propel the puck the way he and the Royals wanted for the goal. Then, Ryan Cruthers found himself wide open in front of the net, allowing him a brief moment to stickhandle, before roofing a forehand shot. Shawn Skelly brought Wheeling back to within two, when he tipped in David Gilbert's shot at 6:41, but Adam Hughesman closed out Reading's 5-2 win with an empty net goal. Hughesman led the way with four points in the contest.

Connor Knapp picked up the win in goal for Reading, making 26 saves on 28 shots. Eric Hartzell matched his season-high with a 40-save effort, but came up on the short end of the score for Wheeling.

The Nailers will begin a three-game homestand on Friday night at 7:35, when they and the Royals meet again.

The Nailers will have a three-game homestand from January 9th-11th.

Reading comes to town on the 9th for Faith & Family Night, which will also be a Flat Screen Friday, courtesy of The Highlands, as well as the Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas. In addition, an Eric Hartzell poster will be given to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, thanks to RSQP Print & Design. As part of Faith & Family Night, the Chrisagis Brothers will perform in a post game concert.

Elmira is the opposition on the 10th, as the Nailers will be holding a Princess Party from 6-7. Only 100 tickets are available for the party. That game will also be the annual Girl Scout Night.

Finally, Indy pays a visit on the 11th for a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and another Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets 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 January 7, 2015


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