Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
December 23, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last Week
Fri. 12/20 Evansville IceMen 6 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3
Johnson (Miller)
Harvey (Zollars, Torquato)
Mulvey (Ratchuk, Bakker)
Corbeil- 13/19
Sat. 12/21 Evansville IceMen 2 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3 (overtime)
Zurevinski (Gill, Cianfrini)
Zurevinski (MacKay, Rowney)
Ratchuk (Rowney, Cianfrini)
Corbeil- 19/21
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers closed out their nine-game homestand, posting 4-2-3 record, after splitting a pair of games with the Evansville IceMen. Fans in Wheeling were able to see plenty of hockey during the month of December, as six of the team's eight games during the month have required overtime, including Saturday's thrilling finale. Despite a 1-5 record in shootout, the Nailers have enjoyed overtime, going 3-0 when the contest is decided during the five-minute session.
On Friday night, things were looking outstanding for the Nailers in the first 75 seconds, as the home team launched itself out of the gates to a quick 2-0 lead. Chaz Johnson netted his first home goal with Wheeling, before Myles Harvey blasted home his first professional goal nine seconds later. However, the Evansville IceMen quickly responded, tying the score less than three minutes later, while taking a 3-2 lead into the first intermission. Evansville's offense ultimately scored five consecutive goals, before Colin Mulvey brought the Nailers within two, during the latter stages of the second. Unfortunately for Wheeling, former Nailer Matt Schepke had the final say, as he finished off a 6-3 IceMen win in the third. On Saturday night, Evansville grabbed a 2-0 lead, on a first period goal by ex-Nailer Daultan Leveille and a second period goal by defenseman Jacob Johnston. Scott Zurevinski brought the Nailers within one at the 16:14 mark of the middle frame, setting the stage for a memorable finish. With nine seconds to go, Zurevinski tied the game, marking the fourth time this season that Wheeling has scored a tying goal during the final minute of regulation. Then, at the 4:17 mark of overtime, Mike Ratchuk provided the exclamation point, tallying his third overtime goal of the season, as the Nailers were victorious, 3-2. Mathieu Corbeil made 19 saves between the pipes, including a lunging glove save in the third, giving his squad a chance to complete the comeback.
This Week
Fri. 12/27 WHEELING NAILERS @ Gwinnett Gladiators, 6:05
Sat. 12/28 WHEELING NAILERS @ South Carolina Stingrays, 7:05
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will head out on the road for the first time since November 29th, when they make their first trip of the season to the South Division. There, they will meet up with the Gwinnett Gladiators and South Carolina Stingrays - two opponents they have yet to face in 2013-14. In a bit of an odd twist, Gwinnett and South Carolina are on completely opposite ends of the standings, as the Stingrays lead the Eastern Conference with 41 points, while the Gladiators are in the basemen with 16 points. Gwinnett is led offensively by Evan Bloodoff (9-7-16), while eight different goaltenders have already appeared in at least one game. South Carolina is currently without five of its top six scorers, but netminder Jeff Jakaitis has more than made up for that, going 14-1-3 between the pipes, leading the league in both goals against average (1.70) and save percentage (.937). All-time, the Nailers are 8-7-3 against the Gladiators and 9-8-0 against the Stingrays.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
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
Sat. 1/11 vs. Toledo - FANtastic Night #3 - Youth Backpack Giveaway to First 1,000 Kids; Girl Scout Night
Sun. 1/26 vs. Cincinnati - Family Funday; Skate with the Team; $5 Kids Tickets
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 9, Zack Torquato
Assists: 22, Zack Torquato
Points: 31, Zack Torquato
Penalty Minutes: 60, Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +10, Sahir Gill & 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. South Carolina Stingrays 41
2. Florida Everblades 38
3. Cincinnati Cyclones 34
4. WHEELING NAILERS 33
5. Evansville IceMen 32
6. Orlando Solar Bears 31
7. Kalamazoo Wings 28
8. Greenville Road Warriors 26
9. Fort Wayne Komets 25
10. Reading Royals 25
11. Elmira Jackals 21
12. Toledo Walleye 19
13. Gwinnett Gladiators 16
ECHL Stories from December 23, 2013
- All-Star Jersey Design Winner Selected - Orlando Solar Bears
- Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - December 23 - ECHL
- Kids in Free, Thor & Skate with the Condors - Bakersfield Condors
- The Weekly Warrior - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Condors Weekly: Climbing the Standings with Wins in Idaho - Bakersfield Condors
- Gladiators Holiday Weekly - Atlanta Gladiators
- Road Warriors Give Back to Community with Holiday Spirit - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Road Warriors shine on road trip - ECHL
- Have a Slappy New Year with the K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Wings
- Cyclones, Cincinnati Police Department Partner for Annual Teddy Bear Toss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Komets Busy Holiday Schedule Begins Friday; Walleye Visit Friday, Gladiators Invade Sunday - Fort Wayne Komets
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.
