ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

December 16, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Thu. 12/12 Elmira Jackals 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2

Torquato (Ratchuk)

Ratchuk (Goers, Torquato)

Condon- 12/16, Corbeil- 5/5

Sat. 12/14 Florida Everblades 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 4 (shootout)

Gill (Johnson)

MacKay (Torquato, Rowney)

Fernandez (Rowney, Torquato)

Torquato (Rowney, Ratchuk)

Condon- 26/30

SO: Gill N, Torquato N, Ratchuk Y, MacKay N, Rowney N. Condon- 2/4.

Sun. 12/15 Florida Everblades 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 4 (shootout)

Rowney (Torquato, Duffy)

Duffy (Torquato)

Gill (MacKay, Johnson)

Duffy (Rowney)

Condon- 29/33

SO: Gill N, Duffy Y, Fernandez N, Ratchuk Y, Torquato N. Condon- 2/5.

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers ran into a bit of friction for the first time in over a month, but have still managed to pick up at least one point in 14 of their last 15 contests, extending their Atlantic Division lead to ten points. Overtime has been a recent theme for the Nailers, who have needed to play extra hockey in five of their last six games, with the lone exception being Thursday night's ending of the point streak. Wheeling has clinched a .500 record on its season-long nine-game homestand, going 3-1-3 in the first seven tilts.

On Thursday night, the Nailers saw their 12-game point streak come to an end, when the Elmira Jackals spoiled the party with a 5-2 win at WesBanco Arena. Ludwig Karlsson opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period for the Jackals, who went on to build a 4-0 lead in the middle of the second. Two of Elmira's goals came on the man advantage, marking just the second time this season that the Nailers had surrendered multiple power play goals. Zack Torquato and Mike Ratchuk cut into the deficit for Wheeling, but the mountain was too high for the home team to recover. On Saturday night, the Nailers and Florida Everblades put on a spectacular show, which featured the most dramatic of endings. Torquato tied the score at four with just one second left in the third period, forcing overtime, while stealing a point for Wheeling. Unfortunately for the Nailers, Florida had the final say on its last shot, as Matthew Pistilli scored in the fourth round of the shootout. Sahir Gill, Max MacKay, and Tyler Fernandez scored during regulation for Wheeling. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers and Everblades went to yet another shootout, marking the fourth straight time that the head-to-head series has taken that route, with all four games involving a tying goal in the final 30 seconds of regulation. Florida snagged the 5-4 win for the second day in a row, after Rocco Carzo netted the equalizer with 24 seconds to go. Ben Duffy returned from Hamilton and lit the lamp twice for Wheeling, while being joined on the scoresheet by Gill and Carter Rowney. Torquato had multiple points in all three games over the course of the week (2g-5a-7p), and has 12 multiple point games on the season. Patrick McGrath threw down the gloves twice, giving him team-highs in fighting majors (8) and penalty minutes (58).

This Week

Fri. 12/20 Evansville IceMen @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:00

Sat. 12/21 Evansville IceMen @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:00

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will put a bow on their nine-game homestand, before taking a quick break for the holidays. For the second weekend in a row, the Nailers will see a team they have yet to face this season, as the Evansville IceMen visit WesBanco Arena for a pair of games. Both clubs are currently without their top netminders, as Wheeling's Mike Condon (10-4-4) was recalled to Hamilton on Monday, while Evansville's Mike Clemente (9-2-2) was recalled to Springfield on December 4th. After finishing last season in the Eastern Conference's basement, the IceMen have rebounded in 2013-14, and are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference. Wheeling and Evansville met up just three times last season, with the home team winning all three games (WHL- 2, EVN- 1). Only six active members of the Nailers have ever faced the IceMen in their ECHL careers (Cianfrini, Fernandez, Flanigan, Johnson, Ratchuk, Zurevinski).

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Fri. 12/20 vs. Evansville - Frosty Friday; Player Poster Giveaway to the First 2,500 Fans

Sat. 12/21 vs. Evansville - Tomas Vokoun Bobblehead Night (First 2,500 Fans); Ugly Sweater Contest

Tue. 12/31 vs. Reading - New Year's Eve; Cowbell Giveaway to the First 2,500 Fans

Fri. 1/3 vs. Elmira - Pack the House Night; Frosty Friday; Player Poster Giveaway to the First 2,500 Fans

Thu. 1/9 vs. Cincinnati - $5 Kids Tickets

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 9, Zack Torquato

Assists: 21, Zack Torquato

Points: 30, Zack Torquato

Penalty Minutes: 58, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +11, Carter Rowney

Wins: 10, Mike Condon

Goals Against Average: 2.33, Mike Condon

Save Percentage: .925, Mike Condon

Shutouts: 1, Mike Condon, Mathieu Corbeil, Eric Hartzell

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Florida Everblades 38

2. South Carolina Stingrays 37

3. WHEELING NAILERS 31

4. Orlando Solar Bears 31

5. Cincinnati Cyclones 29

6. Evansville IceMen 27

7. Fort Wayne Komets 24

8. Kalamazoo Wings 24

9. Reading Royals 21

10. Elmira Jackals 20

11. Greenville Road Warriors 20

12. Toledo Walleye 17

13. Gwinnett Gladiators 16

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 16, 2013


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