ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

December 31, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Sat. 12/27 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ South Carolina Stingrays 3

Ellis (Kuqali, Fernandez)

Palazzese- 24/26

Sun. 12/28 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ South Carolina Stingrays 5

Makowski (Army, Gilbert)

Palazzese- 12/16 (L), Wyer- 21/22

Mon. 12/29 WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Gwinnett Gladiators 1

Johnson (Kuqali)

Skelly (Shea, Kuqali)

Johnson (Army)

Hartzell- 38/39

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers made their final visit to the former South Division, as they played three games in three days against the South Carolina Stingrays and Gwinnett Gladiators. Due to injuries and call-ups, Wheeling played shorthanded during all three contests, but still managed to snare a victory out of the trip. On Saturday night, Andrew Cherniwchan broke a 1-1 deadlock with a power play goal late in the second period, then added an insurance tally in the final minute, lifting the Stingrays to a 3-1 win. Morgan Ellis had the lone marker for Wheeling. On Sunday afternoon, success continued for South Carolina, as the home team rolled out to a 4-0 advantage during the opening 20 minutes of action. David Makowski got a goal back for the Nailers in the middle frame, but that was all they could muster in a 5-1 setback at North Charleston Coliseum. Jeff Wyer stopped 21 of 22 shots in relief that day. On Monday, things turned around for Wheeling, as the visitors jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Gladiators. Chaz Johnson netted a pair of goals, while Shawn Skelly chipped in with his first goal in black and gold. Although Gwinnett lit the lamp late, Eric Hartzell was a major factor in the 3-1 triumph, denying 38 of the 39 shots he faced.

Five different players made their season debuts for the Nailers last week, as Francis Drolet, Max Gavin, Matt Harrington, Nicholas Kuqali, and Shawn Skelly helped the team run its season total to 35 players. 17 of those have spent time in the American Hockey League, including 12 who are currently playing at that level. Kuqali picked up two assists on Monday and three over the course of the weekend, matching his totals from his first 13 ECHL games. The team scoring the first goal has won 20 of the 27 games that Wheeling has been involved with, which includes a 10-4-0 mark for the Nailers. Wheeling has also played 20 of its first 27 games against the East Division, compiling a 9-11-0 record.

This Week

Fri. 1/2 WHEELING NAILERS @ Fort Wayne Komets, 8:00

Sat. 1/3 WHEELING NAILERS @ Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:35

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will begin a stretch that will see them play 23 of their next 41 games against the North Division. On Friday night, Wheeling makes its lone trip of the season to Allen County War Memorial Coliseum to face the division leading Fort Wayne Komets. The Nailers have won four of six games against the Komets all-time, after the two sides split four contests a year ago. Fort Wayne's 22-6-1 start has been keyed by 113 goals - the third highest total in the ECHL. Former Nailer Paul Crowder is a member of the Komets, but has been on injured reserve since November 29th. On Saturday night, the Nailers will make their second and final visit to US Bank Arena, where they will meet up with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Wheeling defeated Cincinnati 4-3 on November 8th, utilizing goals from four different players. The Nailers and Cyclones are separated by only two points in the standings, with Cincinnati currently holding a 28-26 advantage. Former Nailer Christiaan Minella has five goals and nine points in 21 games as a Cyclone, since debuting on November 9th. These will be the fourth and fifth of six consecutive games on enemy ice for Wheeling.

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: 2.39, Eric Hartzell

Save Percentage: .923, Eric Hartzell

Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell

North Division Standings

1. Fort Wayne Komets 45

2. Toledo Walleye 43

3. Cincinnati Cyclones 28

4. WHEELING NAILERS 26

5. Kalamazoo Wings 22

6. Evansville IceMen 22

7. Indy Fuel 18

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



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2014


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