Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
December 1, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last Week
Wed. 11/26 Greenville Road Warriors 2 @ WHEELING NAILERS 4
Gilbert (Gill, Ellis)
Shea (Torquato, Ellis)
Gill (Torquato, Brace)
Torquato (Gill)
Palazzese- 18/20
Fri. 11/28 Florida Everblades 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 1
Yuen (Makowski, Bakker)
Hartzell- 22/27
Sat. 11/29 Florida Everblades 2 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3
Brace (Ellis, Johnson)
Brace (Gilbert, Ellis)
Gill (Gilbert)
Hartzell- 40/42
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers began their five-game homestand, winning two of three contests against the Greenville Road Warriors and Florida Everblades. On Wednesday night, Wheeling needed just 36 seconds to strike first, as David Gilbert potted the team's fourth goal off of a hybrid icing win. Later in the first period, Bobby Shea netted a power play goal, while Sahir Gill tacked on a marker with a two-man advantage, building a 3-0 lead in the second. Greenville rallied back to within one, before Zack Torquato iced the 4-2 victory with an empty netter. Friday night's clash with the Florida Everblades didn't go as well for the home squad, as Zach Yuen's second period power play goal served as the lone bright spot in a 5-1 setback. However, the Nailers rebounded on Saturday against the 'Blades, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the middle frame on two goals by Riley Brace and one by Gill. Riley's cousin Adam helped Florida attempt a comeback, but Eric Hartzell's 40 saves ended up being too much to overcome, as Wheeling skated away with the 3-2 triumph.
The Nailers scored at least one power play goal in each of their three games last week, and are now clicking at a 32.1% success rate (9-for-28) at WesBanco Arena. After nine different players recorded the first nine goals of the season on the man advantage, Yuen (2) and Brace (3) became the first players with multiple power play tallies in 2014-15. Brace's ten special teams points are the most on the club, as he shares or owns the lead in all six categories. Eric Hartzell set a career high in saves for the second week in a row, stopping 40 on Saturday, while his shutout streak lasted 123:49 from November 19th-28th. Bobby Shea's goal on Wednesday was his first as a Nailer. Wheeling's win over Florida on Saturday was its first ever at WesBanco Arena, with the lone prior home victory coming on March 9th, 2012 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.
This Week
Fri. 12/5 Utah Grizzlies @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35
Sat. 12/6 Utah Grizzlies @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35
Sun. 12/7 WHEELING NAILERS @ Brampton Beast, 2:00
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play three games against two teams whom they have yet to face in their 23-year history in the ECHL. On Friday and Saturday, the Utah Grizzlies will crawl into WesBanco Arena, completing a stretch of four games in six nights. Utah will be Wheeling's first Western Conference opponent since January 25th, 2012, when it defeated the Bakersfield Condors, 3-2 on home ice. The Grizzlies have started the season with a 6-7-4 mark, which is good for 16 points and a fifth place tie in the Pacific Division. Former Cincinnati Cyclone Michael Pelech has 13 points to lead Utah in scoring, while former Nailers Myles Harvey and Gentry Zollars help to make up the blueline. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers will play their first ever game outside of the country, when they visit the Brampton Beast at Powerade Centre. Wheeling's lone prior tilt against a Canadian team took place on November 6th, 2005, when it defeated the Victoria Salmon Kings, 7-3 at WesBanco Arena. Chad Painchaud has 13 points to lead the Beast in scoring, while former Nailer Elgin Reid's six points are tied for the most among Brampton defensemen. The Beast hurdled the Rapid City Rush into sixth place in the Central Division, thanks to a three-game winning streak. The Nailers will ultimately play six games against the Western Conference in 2014-15, with three more visits to Brampton scheduled for January.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
Fri. 12/5 vs. Utah- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Riley Brace Poster Giveaway (2,000)
Sat. 12/6 vs. Utah- Patrick McGrath Bobblefist Giveaway (2,500), Teddy Bear Toss, Sing for Santa, McDonald's Friends & Family Tickets
Wed. 12/10 vs. Toledo- WesBanco Winning Wednesday, $5 Kids Tickets
Sun. 12/14 vs. Reading- Sunday Family Funday, Oglebay Zoo Day, Post Game Skate With the Team, $5 Kids Tickets
Fri. 12/19 vs. Greenville- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 8, Riley Brace
Assists: 13, Riley Brace
Points: 21, Riley Brace
Penalty Minutes: 51, Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +4, David Makowski
Wins: 6, Franky Palazzese
Goals Against Average: 2.37, Eric Hartzell
Save Percentage: .925, Eric Hartzell
Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell
North Division Standings
1. Fort Wayne Komets 28
2. Toledo Walleye 25
3. WHEELING NAILERS 18
4. Evansville IceMen 18
5. Cincinnati Cyclones 16
6. Kalamazoo Wings 14
7. Indy Fuel 12
The December 5th game will feature a Frosty & Flat Screen Friday, courtesy of the Highlands and the Law Firm of Bordas & Bordas. Fans will also receive a free Riley Brace Poster, while supplies last, courtesy of Rich and Shirley's Quick Print of Wheeling . The start time is 7:35 for the first ever game between the Nailers and Grizzlies.
The December 6th battle will be the third game in the "Big Six" Promotional Giveaway Series, as Patrick McGrath Bobblefists will be distributed to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. The annual Teddy Bear Toss will also take place, as fans are asked to bring a new or gently used teddy bear, to throw onto the ice after the Nailers score their first goal. McDonald's Friends & Family tickets will also be available for $39.99, consisting of four tickets, four hats, and four McDonald's Value Meal coupons. Face-off between Wheeling and Utah is scheduled for 7:35.
Holiday packs are also available. For $49, fans can purchase the Elf Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a t-shirt, and an autographed puck. For $99, fans can purchase the Reindeer Package, receiving ten ticket vouchers. For $129, fans can purchase the Santa Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a replica jersey, and a Reebok hat.
Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.
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