Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
December 30, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last Week
Fri. 12/27 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ Gwinnett Gladiators 4
Gill (Ratchuk, Johnson)
Westlund- 32/35
Sat. 12/28 WHEELING NAILERS 0 @ South Carolina Stingrays 3
Westlund- 26/28
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers played their first road games in nearly a month, as they made their first visit of the season to the South Division. Unfortunately, the trip didn't go as planned, as Wheeling dropped a pair of decisions to the Gwinnett Gladiators and South Carolina Stingrays. Friday's loss brought an end to the Nailers' six-game road point streak (5-0-1), which had dated all the way back to November 15th.
On Friday night, Alex Westlund became the fourth goaltender to appear in a game for the Nailers this season, as he took on the Gwinnett Gladiators, one day shy of his 38th birthday. Unfortunately, the Gladiators weren't in a festive frame of mind, as Evan Bloodoff greeted Westlund with the game's opening goal just 2:57 in, on a redirect in the slot. Former Nailer Joey Haddad upped the lead with a power play tally at 12:26 of the second, before Sahir Gill answered with a goal for Wheeling at the 5:19 mark of the third. Gwinnett defenseman Rob Kwiet took over from there, netting the contest's final two markers to complete a three-point night and a 4-1 win. On Saturday night, the Nailers found themselves opposed by one of the top goaltenders of the league, as they stared down South Carolina's Jeff Jakaitis. The Stingrays lit the lamp with a pair of special teams goals during the first period, as Luke Greiner scored shorthanded, while Ryan Grimshaw connected on a power play. Peter Boyd added an empty net tally in the final minute, while Jakaitis was perfect on 21 shots, improving his record to 16-1-3. Westlund got the start in goal for Wheeling in both tilts, stopping 58 of the 63 shots he faced.
This Week
Tue. 12/31 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 6:00
Fri. 1/3 Elmira Jackals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:00
Sat. 1/4 WHEELING NAILERS @ Elmira Jackals, 7:05
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will battle more familiar competition, as they play host to the Reading Royals on Tuesday, before a home-and-home series against the Elmira Jackals on Friday and Saturday. The New Year's Eve clash will be the sixth head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Royals, with Reading currently holding a 4-1 advantage in the season series. However, Wheeling was victorious in the most recent game, picking up a 4-3 overtime win on December 6th. The Nailers lead the Royals by four points for first place in the Atlantic Division. Over the weekend, Wheeling and Elmira will collide for the seventh and eighth times this season, with the Nailers currently leading that season series, 5-1. In a similar twist, the Jackals picked up the win in the most recent contest, ending Wheeling's 12-game point streak with a 5-2 final on December 12th. Elmira is currently on a five-game winless streak, dropping to nine points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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 - $5 Tickets; 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: +8, Sahir Gill, Carter Rowney, Zack Torquato
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 45
2. Florida Everblades 40
3. Cincinnati Cyclones 38
4. Evansville IceMen 35
5. WHEELING NAILERS 33
6. Orlando Solar Bears 31
7. Greenville Road Warriors 30
8. Kalamazoo Wings 30
9. Reading Royals 29
10. Fort Wayne Komets 27
11. Gwinnett Gladiators 22
12. Elmira Jackals 21
13. Toledo Walleye 19
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