Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
November 24, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers went 2-0-1 and stretched their latest regulation unbeaten streak to 4 games. Goalie Curtis Darling was the star of the week for the Nailers playing the whole way through. Darling picked up his first shutout of the year and first ever at WesBanco arena. He turned away 101 of 105 shots in the 3 games for a saves percentage of 0.962 while allowing only 4 goals on the week for a goals against average of 1.33. The Nailers are unbeaten in regulation on the road this year at 4-0-3 and remain the only team in the league with only 1 loss in regulation at 9-1-5.
Wednesday, Nov 19 Wheeling 4 - Trenton 0
Curtis Darling made 32 saves for his first ever shutout at WesBanco Arena and the first Nailers home shutout since January 7, 2007 when Andy Franck turned the trick. ECHL leading scorer Tommy Goebel led the attack with 1 goal and 2 assists.
Friday, Nov 21 Cincinnati 4 - Wheeling 3 (shootout)
The Nailers recorded a hard-earned point on the road in a shootout loss at Cincinnati. Elgin Reid scored the game-tying goal at 3:43 on the 3rd just 14 seconds after the Cyclones had taken the lead. Nick Johnson scored 2 goals for the Nailers, his league leading 12th and 13th of the season.
Saturday, Nov 22 Wheeling 3 - Cincinnati 1
Curtis Darling made 15 saves in the 3rd period to thwart the late Cyclones attempt to rally and the Nailers hung on for an exciting 3-1 win to finish the weekend series. Tommy Goebel and Aaron Clarke scored in the 1st and 2nd periods for the Nailers and Kelly Miller sealed the victory with an empty-netter. The rookie out of Ohio State, Goebel, increased his league leading points total to 24 with his 9th goal of the season.
Upcoming Games :
Wednesday, November 26, 7:05 - Johnstown Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers - WesBanco Wednesday. Riesbeck's "Our Family" Food Markets Day. Donate an "Our Family" Food Item and receive $2 off an adult ticket. All donators registered to win 2 tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins game. All donations go to the Wheeling Food Bank. Buy one get one free ticket offers if you show your WesBanco credit or debit card or checkbook or coupon available at WesBanco locations.
Friday, November 28, 7:35 - Wheeling Nailers at Dayton Bombers.
Saturday, November 29, 7:35 - Elmira Jackals at Wheeling Nailers - Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame night. Inaugural class to include former Wheeling Thunderbird great Darren Schwartz and Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association founder Bob Otten. Darren Schwartz bobblehead dolls for the first 2500 fans in attendance courtesy of Main Street Bank.
Friday, December 5 at 7:35 and Saturday, December 6 at 7:35 - Wheeling Nailers at Dayton Bombers
Great tickets available for upcoming Wheeling Nailers home games! Call the Wheeling Nailers at 304-234-GOAL or 1-877-NAIL-TIX or log-on for more info at wheelingnailers.com
Roster Moves :
Goalie David Brown was called up by their AHL parent club in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Rob Sirianni is on temporary loan to the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. The Nailers added defenseman Reid Cashman who was assigned by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Equipment Manager Billy Higgins was activated for 3 games and served as the emergency backup goalie but did not see action. Kelly Miller was activated off the injured reserve and played Saturday night's game at Cincinnati scoring an empty-net goal.
Team Leaders :
Goals - Nick Johnson (13)
Assists - Tommy Goebel (15)
Points - Tommy Goebel (24)
Power Play Goals - Nick Johnson (6)
Plus/Minus - Tommy Goebel (+15)
PIM - Cedrick Bernier (44)
Goals Against - David Brown (2.34)
Saves Percentage - David Brown (.928)
Wins - Curtis Darling (6)
Player Notes :
The Nailers have 3 players among the top 4 scorers in the league. Tommy Goebel has 24 points which is tied for 1st with Alaska's Colin Hemingway. Nick Johnson has 21 points which is 3rd. Aaron Clarks is tied for 4th with 20 points. Rob Sirianni is still tied for 7th with 19 points even though he is currently on loan to the Binghamton Senators of the AHL.
Nick Johnson's 13 goals are 1st in the ECHL. He is also tied for the lead in power play goals with 6. His 12 total points on the PP are also 1st.
Tommy Goebel's 15 assists are 2nd in the league trailing only Cam Keith of Alaska who has 16. Aaron Clarke is tied for 4th in helpers with 13.
Elgin Reid is 2nd among defenseman scorers with 12 points. He is tied for 2nd among defenseman in goals with 5.
Goebel leads the league in +/- rating with +15. Mitch Ganzak and Aaron Clarke are tied for 2nd at +13.
Ganzak is one of only two players in the ECHL to have scored twice in shootouts this year. He is 2/3 on the year.
Ganzak is first among blueliners in +/- rating at +13 and Elgin Reid is 3rd at +10.
Elgin Reid had an 8 game point-scoring streak snapped Saturday night. It's the longest such streak of the season for the Nailers.
Team Notes :
The Nailers are the highest scoring team in the league at 4.38 goals per game. They are allowing 3.2 goals per game which is 12th out of 23 in the ECHL.
Wheeling has received much improved play from the penalty kill lately holding opponents to just 3/31 in the last 7 games (9.7%).
Wheeling's power play is 3rd in the ECHL at 21.5%. Their home power play percentage is first at 28.3.
Wheeling's is 7th in the ECHL and 1st in the North Division in shots per game with 32.8.
The Nailers have more wins in ECHL history than any other organization with 697. They are aiming to become the first ECHL team in history to reach the 700 win milestone.
On the Air :
All games are broadcast on the Wheeling Nailers hockey radio network including The Mix 97.3fm and streamed live on wheelingnailers.com and video on the B2 networks. The voice of the Nailers, Bob Rotruck, provides all the play-by-play action with former Wheeling Thunderbird great Brock Woods providing color commentary on home games. The broadcasts begin with the USA Steak Buffet Countdown to Faceoff 20 minutes before the game-start including the Main Street Bank Coach's Conversation with Greg Puhalski.
Home games feature the live version of the Riesbeck's Food Market's post-game show from the club at WesBanco Arena featuring a recap of the game and live interviews with Nailers players. Come join us at the club downstairs at WesBanco Arena where you can meet the players and listen to the post-game show live.
Every Thursday night at 6pm it's the Nailers Power Hour live from Generations Pub and Restaurant and carried on the Wheeling Nailers Hockey Radio Network. Be sure to e-mail us your questions for Coach Puhalski and your favorite Nailers players and we will read them on the air. The e-mail address is nailersradio@wheelingnailers.com . Be sure to include your first name and your hometown and listen for us to read your question on the air!
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