Wheeling Nailers Weekend Preview
Published on March 6, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
NAILERS PLAY IMPORTANT 2-GAME SET VS TRENTON
Friday, March 5th 7:35pm (WesBanco Arena, Wheeling, WV)-Charlotte Checkers at Wheeling Nailers
Saturday March 6th 8:05 pm (WesBanco Arena, Wheeling, WV)-Trenton Devils at Wheeling Nailers
Sunday March 7th 3:05 pm (WesBanco Arena, Wheeling, WV)-Trenton Devils at Wheeling Nailers
North Division Standings
1. Cincinnati Cyclones (38-19-3) - 79
2. Kalamazoo Wings (33-17-7)-73
3. Toledo Walleye (30-24-4)-64
4. Wheeling Nailers (27-27-6)-60
American Conference Standings (Top 8 qualify for Kelly Cup Playoffs in April) (* denotes division leader)
1. *South Carolina Stingrays 81
2. *Cincinnati Cyclones 79
3. *Elmira Jackals 69
4. Kalamazoo Wings 73
5. Florida Everblades 73
6. Charlotte Checkers 68
7. Toledo Walleye 64
8. Wheeling Nailers 60
8. Reading Royals 60
10. Gwinnett Gladiators 58
11. Trenton Devils 57
12. Johnstown Chiefs 40
Preview-
The Wheeling Nailers continue their three game homestand as they open a two game weekend series against the Trenton Devils with both teams trying to fight their way into the top 8 in the conference and a coveted playoff spot.
Trenton trails the 8th place Nailers by just 3 points in the standings and is looking at this weekend's games as an opportunity to close the gap and continue climbing their way back into the race.
Trenton is 24-25-9 overall, 3rd in the Eastern Division and have gone 7-4-0 in their last 11 games. Wheeling is 1-2-0 against Trenton this year including a 7-4 loss at the Devils in their last meeting on February 21st. This weekend's games represent the first and only visits to WesBanco Arena for the Devils this season.
Last Time -
Aaron Clarke scored with 50 seconds remaining to tie the score at 2-2 thus earning a valuable standings point in the Conference race but ended up going down to defeat in the shootout 3-2 to the Charlotte Checkers. The Friday night game was Wheeling's first in almost three weeks following a 7-game road trip. Wheeling led 2-1 in the shootout in the 3rd round but couldn't hold the advantage as the Checkers scored in the 4th and 5th rounds to secure the come-from-behind win and gain the extra point. Aaron Clarke's 18th goal and Kyle Bushee's 6th of the season led the way for the Nailers.
Last weekend, the Nailers wrapped up their 7 game road trip with games at Reading and Elmira.
Last Friday against the Royals the Nailers took a 4-3 into the 3rd thanks to D'Aversa (2), Thomas Beauregard (34), Andrew Lord (14) and Colin Power (14), but a late goal by the Royals and a shootout score left the Nailers with only one point. Saturday, the Nailers fell behind by two early Elmira goals before getting a scoring strike from Jordan Fox (16). However, the Nailers were unable to cut into that lead any further and ended up losing (1-4).
Notes-
The Wheeling Nailers made a variety of roster moves over the past week.
Leading scorer Thomas Beauregard (34 goals) was traded to Johnstown to bring back popular forward Jordan Morrison whose 28 goals and 74 points last season were both second on the team trailing only Bryan "Boomer" Ewing. Morrison began the season with Florida and then was involved in a three trade that sent him to Johnstown where he had played the last 10 games. Morrison said he's extremely happy to be back in Wheeling and playing for the "Chief" while Greg Puhalski echoed similar sentiments and stated he had been trying to bring back Morrison since early November. "Mo" made his Nailers 2010 debut in Friday night's game vs. the Checkers and looked strong in the game as he was on a line with Jordan Fox and former Nailers teammate Billy Ryan.
Joey Haddad was called up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL last week. Haddad had been showing noticeable improvement in his game over the past few weeks.
Cliff Loya was traded to the Charlotte Checkers for future considerations although Loya did not play in Friday night's game for the Checkers. Loya finishes his Wheeling career tied for the most games as a Nailer with Stephan Brannare each with 231 games.
Andrew Lord dropped the gloves in the 2nd period of Friday night's game against Charlotte and earned his 20th major penalty of the season, all of the fighting majors. Lord is 2nd in the league in major penalties tied with Brett Gallant of Elmira
Mitch Ganzak leads ECHL defensemen with 32 assists.
Ryan Schnell has 143 penalty minutes and 15 major penalties to place him 2nd among ECHL rookies in both categories.
T.J. Fox finished first among active Nailers in scoring in February with 12 points on 3 goals and 9 assists. Andrew Lord led active Nailers in goals in February with 6.
Saturday-Wheeling Nailers (27-27-6)
Trenton Devils (24-25-9)
Sunday-Wheeling Nailers
Trenton Devils
Head Coach:
Wheeling - Greg Puhalski (3rd season with Wheeling, 16th in professional hockey)
Trenton- Rick Kowalsky (ECHL Coach of the Year in 2008-09)
Affiliation:
Wheeling - Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Trenton- New Jersey Devils (NHL), Lowell Devils (AHL)
Top Nailers
T.J. Fox (20-26-46), Jordan Fox (16-25-41), Aaron Clarke (18-22-39), Mitch Ganzak (7-32-39)
Top Devils
Jeff Prough (21-20-41), Matt Vokes (14-24-38), Tony Zancanaro (13-23-36),
Top Goalies
Wheeling- Michael-Lee Teslak (11-15-5,.877, 3.54 / with WHL, 6-10-2,.870, 3.93)
Trenton- Dave Caruso (14-15-2, 0.910, 3.06), Gerald Coleman (10-9-7, 0.889, 3.46)
Upcoming Promotions:
Tuesday, March 9th - Meet the Nailers! The team will be appearing at Perkins on National Road in Wheeling from 6-8 pm
Sunday, March 14th - Sunday Family FunDay with an open-skate after the game with the Wheeling Nailers players. Remember to bring your skates, gloves and a camera!
Saturday, March 20th - Affiliation Night celebrating the Penguins organization. Wheeling to wear the Baby Blue Penguins replica jerseys for the last time to be auctioned on eBay.
Sunday, March 21st- Pups and Pucks. Bring your dog to the game and cheer on the Nailers with man's best friend!
Friday, March 26th- Team Poster Giveaway Night for the first 2500 fans and Team Autograph Night after the game with the entire Nailers team appearing.
Friday, April 2nd - Nailers Baby Blue Ball-Cap Giveaway for the first 2500 fans courtesy of Main Street Bank.
Saturday, April 3rd- Fan Appreciation Night and Ticket Extravaganza. Lots of gifts and prizes on the last game of the regular season.
Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or toll-free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX. Get your tickets online at the team's website at wheelingnailers.com
Extended Office Hours: The Wheeling Nailers have extended office hours during the week by popular demand and to accommodate our fans' busy schedules. Monday through Friday the Wheeling Nailers offices will be open until 6:00 pm. The Nailers are located at 1315 Main Street in downtown Wheeling for all your ticket and souvenir purchasing needs.
Experience Counts:
Greg Puhalski is entering his 16th year at the bench and 3rdfor the Nailers. He is second among all ECHL coaches with 601 coming into this season trailing only Steve Martinson who had 650 wins entering this year. Puhalski has over 200 ECHL wins dating back to the beginning of his coaching career with the Toledo Storm from 1994-98.
Right-Hand Man:
Greg Puhalski has an assistant coach on the staff this year. Doug Doull joins the Nailers and the Penguins organization after doing some coaching in Canadian University hockey for a couple seasons following his 8 year playing career in the AHL and NHL. Doull fought some of the NHL's toughest customers in his time with the Boston Bruins in 2003-04. He played 37 games in the NHL mostly with Boston (and 2 with Washington) and racked up 151 PIM's. His AHL career included stays with Hershey, San Antonio, Utah, Providence, St. John's, Saint John and with other AAA level teams in the old IHL in the late 90's with Michigan (now Kalamazoo), Detroit Vipers and Manitoba.
Upcoming Home Games:
Wheeling's next home games are March 5th through 7th on a 3-in-3 weekend including a WTRF Friday Family Four Pack night on March 5th and an O.V. McBear Bobblehead giveaway night on March 6th and finishing with a Sunday Family FunDay and post-game open skate with the Nailers as part of every Sunday home game. Wheeling opens the weekend with a Friday night game against the Charlotte Checkers and then will play a two game series against the Trenton Devils on Saturday and Sunday.
Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or toll-free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX. Get your tickets online at the team's website at wheelingnailers.com
www.wheelingnailers.com
ECHL Stories from March 6, 2010
- Greg Pankewicz and Mike Mastovich featured on this week's Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Idaho takes rubber match over Bakersfield, 7-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Wheeling's 46 Shots Not Enough In 6-3 Loss - Wheeling Nailers
- Steelheads Top Bakersfield, 7-3 - Idaho Steelheads
- Royals Drop Chiefs, 6-4 - Reading Royals
- Chiefs Trumped By Royals - Johnstown Chiefs
- Jackals Clipped By K-Wings, 4-1 - Elmira Jackals
- Florida Falls to Gwinnett, Ending Five-Game Winning Streak - Florida Everblades
- Checkers Edged In Overtime Battle With Toledo - Charlotte Checkers
- Kalamazoo Defeats Elmira to Extend Win Streak to Seven - Kalamazoo Wings
- Walleye Win In OT, 6-5 - Toledo Walleye
- Glads Comeback for 4-3 Win - Atlanta Gladiators
- Wheeling Nailers Weekend Preview - Wheeling Nailers
- Royals Hope Fan Finds "Pot O' Gold" On "St. Hat Trick's Day" - Reading Royals
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Victoria Salmon Kings - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Jackals Game Preview: Kalamazoo At Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- Chiodo Back With The Jackals - Elmira Jackals
- Wranglers Outshoot Reign, 7-6 - Ontario Reign
- Furious Thunder rally falls shy of a penalty shot, goal post - Stockton Thunder
- Salmon Kings Edge Thunder - Victoria Salmon Kings
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.
