ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on December 22, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Fri. 12/19 Greenville Road Warriors 1 @ WHEELING NAILERS 0

Palazzese- 35/36

Sat. 12/20 Greenville Road Warriors 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3

Army (Gilbert, Torquato)

Gilbert (Torquato)

Murovich (unassisted)

Palazzese- 19/24

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers were forced to play with a short lineup for the fourth and fifth times this season, as they went to battle in a pair of games against the Greenville Road Warriors. On Friday night, goaltenders Franky Palazzese and Jason Missiaen put on a show, as the two combined to stop 56 of the 57 pucks sent their way. Unfortunately for the home team, the lone goal went to Greenville, as Vinny Saponari scored at 4:10 of the first period for the 1-0 decision. On Saturday night, the offenses stepped up, beginning with Wheeling's Derek Army, whose team-leading tenth goal of the season halted Missiaen's personal shutout streak at 147:16. The Road Warriors connected for the game's next two goals, including Andrew Himelson, who lit the lamp just 15 seconds into the middle frame. The Nailers battled back from a pair of one-goal deficits to draw the game even at three, on goals by David Gilbert and Tyler Murovich, but the visitors ended up with the final say. Trevor Parkes netted the game winning goal as part of a four-point night, and Josh Nicholls added an insurance marker for the 5-3 final score.

The two-game skid is Wheeling's first at home this season, where it is 9-5-0 through 14 contests. Derek Army's goal on Saturday ended Riley Brace's reign of 63 straight days with at least a share of the team lead in goals. Brace still leads the squad with 19 assists and 28 points. Friday night's 1-0 setback was the first defeat of that score for the Nailers since 2011, and the first in regulation since 2004. Tyler Murovich has been involved in the scoring of four of the team's seven shorthanded goals, collecting two himself, while assisting on two others. Wheeling has gone six straight games without picking up a fighting major, while the team's penalty minute average has dipped below 20 per game (19.46). David Gilbert played in his 200th professional game on Saturday, while Paul Cianfrini and Shane Bakker both made their AHL debuts last week - ironically both wearing jersey number 38.

This Week

Sat. 12/27 WHEELING NAILERS @ South Carolina Stingrays, 7:05

Sun. 12/28 WHEELING NAILERS @ South Carolina Stingrays, 3:05

Mon. 12/29 WHEELING NAILERS @ Gwinnett Gladiators, 7:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will make their second and final trip to the former South Division, while playing their 18th, 19th, and 20th games against the newly formed East Division. On Saturday and Sunday, Wheeling will visit the South Carolina Stingrays, marking the first time since 2009-10 that it has played multiple games in a single regular season at North Charleston Coliseum. The Nailers earned their first road win of 2014-15 on October 25th at South Carolina, spanking the Stingrays, 5-1, with Zach Yuen lighting the lamp twice. On Monday night, Wheeling will travel to The Arena at Gwinnett Center, where it will look to avenge a 5-0 shutout loss to the Gladiators on October 24th. South Carolina is currently tied for fifth place in the East Divsion, having won nine of its last 11 games to get back into the hunt for the playoffs. Gwinnett's fortune has been the opposite, as it enters the week in the East Division cellar, trailing the Stingrays and Orlando Solar Bears by 14 points for fifth/sixth. The Gladiators are 2-5-0 since Andy Brandt took over as head coach.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Fri. 1/9 vs. Reading- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)

Sat. 1/10 vs. Elmira- Princess Night, Princess Party, Youth Backpack Giveaway (1,000), Girl Scout Night

Sun. 1/11 vs. Indy- Family Funday, Post Game Skate With the Team, Oglebay Good Zoo Day, $5 Kids Tickets

Fri. 1/23 vs. Fort Wayne- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)

Sat. 1/24 vs. Fort Wayne- Star Wars Night, Dinner with the Dark Side, Youth Bomber Hat Giveaway (1,000), Boy Scout Night

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 10, Derek Army

Assists: 19, Riley Brace

Points: 28, Riley Brace

Penalty Minutes: 69, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +4, Riley Brace

Wins: 7, Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 2.54, Eric Hartzell

Save Percentage: .915, Eric Hartzell

Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell

North Division Standings

1. Fort Wayne Komets 43

2. Toledo Walleye 41

3. WHEELING NAILERS 24

4. Cincinnati Cyclones 24

5. Kalamazoo Wings 20

6. Evansville IceMen 20

7. Indy Fuel 15

The Nailers will have a three-game homestand from January 9th-11th.

Reading comes to town on the 9th for Faith & Family Night, which will also be a Flat Screen Friday, courtesy of The Highlands, as well as the Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas. In addition, a player poster will be given to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, thanks to RSQP Print & Design.

Elmira is the opposition on the 10th, as the Nailers will be holding a Princess Party from 6-7. Only 100 tickets are available for the party. That game will also be the annual Girl Scout Night.

Finally, Indy pays a visit on the 11th for a Family Funday with $5 kids tickets, a post game skate with the team, and another Oglebay Good Zoo Day.

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.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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