Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, October 29
October 29, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last Week
Saturday, October 27th: WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Reading Royals 2 (shootout)
The Wheeling Nailers earned their first victory of the season, which was also the first for Head Coach Mike Bavis, as they edged the Reading Royals, 3-2 in a shootout at Santander Arena. The line of Cam Brown, Winston Day Chief, and Troy Josephs accounted for both goals during regulation, as Day Chief pulled Wheeling even at one, before Josephs struck on the power play for a brief lead. John Muse was tremendous in his season debut between the pipes, making 37 saves during the game, then another four in the shootout. Brown was the shootout hero in round four.
Sunday, October 28th: WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Reading Royals 5
The weekend series resulted in a split, as the Royals drew even with a win on Sunday afternoon. Kevin Spinozzi netted the first goal of the day for the Nailers, firing in a shot off a face-off. Reading tied the score with a penalty shot goal late in the middle frame, before taking its first lead of the day in the early stages of the third. Nick Saracino's first goal in a Wheeling uniform made the score 2-2, but the Royals scored three times in the final 10:01 for a 5-2 win. After sitting for the first time in six games on Saturday, Branden Komm returned to get the win in goal for Reading on Sunday, edging his former teammate, Muse.
This Week
Saturday, November 3rd: Indy Fuel @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:05 p.m.
The home opener has finally arrived for the Nailers, who will skate in front of their home fans at WesBanco Arena for the first time in the regular season on Saturday night. Those fans will see an opposing team that will be a very frequent visitor in 2018-19, as the Indy Fuel play the first of nine games in Nail City. Last season, Wheeling defeated Indy in three of five battles, including a 7-3 decision in the rubber match on 90's Night, which featured a hat trick by Troy Josephs. After falling on opening night, the Fuel rattled off three straight wins against divisional foes, before getting crushed 7-2 by the Kansas City Mavericks. Saturday will be the third game in three days for Indy, following a home game against Utah and a road tilt in Fort Wayne. Former Nailer Josh Shalla leads the Fuel with eight points.
Notes
- Wheeling utilized a shootout to earn its first victory of the season for the seventh time in team history.
- The Nailers played three different goalies in the first four games of the season for the first time since 2009-10.
- Wheeling and Reading met up for the 174th time in regular season play on Sunday, setting a team record for most games against any single opponent.
- Cedric Lacroix recorded his first professional point with an assist on Kevin Spinozzi's goal Sunday.
- Sunday's penalty shot goal by Reading's Josh MacDonald ended a streak of five straight penalty shot saves by Wheeling goaltenders, dating back to 2016.
- The Nailers enter Saturday with a 6-0-1 record in their last seven home openers, and are 18-5-3 all-time in game number one at home.
Central Division Standings
1. Toledo Walleye 4-1-1-0, 9 pts.
2. Cincinnati Cyclones 3-1-2-0, 8 pts.
3. Indy Fuel 3-2-0-0, 6 pts.
4. Kalamazoo Wings 3-2-0-0, 6 pts.
5. WHEELING NAILERS 1-3-0-0, 2 pts.
6. Fort Wayne Komets 1-5-0-0, 2 pts.
Team Leaders
Goals: Eliot Grauer- 2
Assists: Cam Brown & Zac Lynch- 3
Points: Zac Lynch- 4
Penalty Minutes: Cedric Lacroix- 24
Plus/Minus: Alex Rauter & Aaron Titcomb- +1
Wins: John Muse- 1
Goals Against Average: John Muse- 2.89
Save Percentage: John Muse- .914
Next Big Promotional Night
Saturday, November 3rd- Home Opener, Pregame Party, Concert by Logan Wojcik, Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Rally Towel Giveaway
Family Four Packs are available for the home opener. Fans can get 4 tickets, 4 hats, and 4 McDonald's Meal Vouchers for $60.
Next Five Home Games
Saturday, November 3rd vs. Indy Fuel, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, November 9th vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, November 10th vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13th vs. Toledo Walleye, 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday, November 21st vs. Reading Royals, 7:05 p.m.
ECHL Stories from October 29, 2018
- Everblades Weekly: Battle with First-Place Jacksonville on Tap this Week - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Transactions - October 29 - ECHL
- Lacouvee Loaned to AHL Utica - Maine Mariners
- Thunder Weekly, October 29th - Wichita Thunder
- Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, October 29 - Wheeling Nailers
- Gladiators Acquire Forward and Goalie from Adirondack - Atlanta Gladiators
- Trade - Thunder Sends Two to Atlanta for Cash Considerations - Adirondack Thunder
- Stingrays Weekly Report - October 29 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Swamp Rabbits Weekly - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Indy Fuel Pit Stop: Week 3 - Indy Fuel
- Grizzlies in First Place in Mountain Division - Utah Grizzlies
- Waked and Pezzetta Recalled to AHL - Maine Mariners
- Steelheads Weekly - October 29, 2018 - Idaho Steelheads
- Wings Weekly: Nickelodeon Night Raises over $8,000 for American Cancer Society - Kalamazoo Wings
- Reading Royals Weekly - Reading Royals
- Thunder Receives Goalie Cam Johnson from AHL - Adirondack Thunder
- Mavs Monday Report: October 29 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oil Drops: Tulsa Oilers Weekly Report - October 29 - Tulsa Oilers
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.
