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Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

January 5, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Fri. 1/2 WHEELING NAILERS 5 @ Fort Wayne Komets 4 (shootout)

Ellis (Ratchuk, Army)

Johnson (Drolet, Murovich)

Fernandez (Gilbert)

Burton (Army, Skelly)

Hartzell- 31/35

SO: Gilbert N, Army N, Ratchuk N, Shea N, Skelly Y, Hartzell- 5/5

Sat. 1/3 WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Cincinnati Cyclones 3

Gilbert (Skelly, Fernandez)

Johnson (Shea)

Hartzell- 13/16 (L), Palazzese- 12/12

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers had a couple of rough starts, but a pair of dramatic finishes, as they continued their season long six-game road trip with two tilts against the North Division. On Friday night, Wheeling fell behind 3-0 and 4-1, but a late second period surge brought the visitors within one goal of the Fort Wayne Komets. Morgan Ellis, Chaz Johnson, and Tyler Fernandez had the markers in the middle frame. In the third period, a power play goal by Jarrett Burton evened the score, forcing overtime, and eventually a shootout. After a 31-save effort during the game, Eric Hartzell was perfect on all five shootout attempts, setting the stage for Shawn Skelly, whose goal in round five propelled the Nailers into the win column. On Saturday night, Wheeling fell behind the Cincinnati Cyclones 3-0, before coming to life again in the second period. David Gilbert and Chaz Johnson were responsible for the tallies, which gave the visitors a chance at a second straight comeback win. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to crack Rob Madore again, as his 29 saves preserved the 3-2 victory for Cincinnati.

Chaz Johnson's goal on Friday night in Fort Wayne was the 150th of his professional career, as well as his 300th career point as a pro. The tenth year veteran has accumulated four goals in his last three games. Friday night also marked the second straight year in which Wheeling has erased a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Komets at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, after doing so on November 23, 2013. The Nailers have played past regulation twice in 29 games this year, winning both contests in shootouts. Eric Hartzell has denied all nine shooters he has faced in that scenario. Wheeling's two power play goals in Fort Wayne matched a road season high, which was also achieved on October 25th in South Carolina. Shawn Skelly's shootout winner came one day after his 28th birthday. The Nailers will not return to Fort Wayne or Cincinnati in 2014-15, unless it is for a playoff series.

This Week

Wed. 1/7 WHEELING NAILERS @ Reading Royals, 7:30

Fri. 1/9 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sat. 1/10 Elmira Jackals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sun. 1/11 Indy Fuel @ WHEELING NAILERS, 4:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play their second four-game week of the campaign, completing their six-game road trip, before returning to WesBanco Arena for three consecutive contests. On Wednesday and Friday, the Nailers will play a home-and-home series against the Reading Royals, whom they have split their first six games against, with both teams having gone 3-0 on home ice. The Royals have gone 10-2-0 in their last 12 games, leaping into third place in the ECHL's East Division. Pat Mullane has led the way with 15 points during that span, while Martin Ouellette has posted a 6-1 record between the pipes. On Saturday, the Elmira Jackals will make their first visit to the Ohio Valley since November 19th. Wheeling has defeated Elmira in two of three tilts this season, after taking 12 of the 15 clashes a year ago. The Jackals currently occupy fourth place in the East Division, and are in the midst of a run that sees them play 19 of 23 games away from First Arena. On Sunday, the Indy Fuel make their second and final trip to Wheeling during their inaugural season. Wheeling and Indy have split their first two games, with both teams winning at home. On the ice, the first season of Fuel Hockey hasn't exactly gone to plan, as the team has won just six of its first 31 games, including an 0-10-3 mark in unfriendly territory. Aside from the shortened months of October and April, the five home games in January are the fewest in a single month this season.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Fri. 1/9 vs. Reading- Faith & Family Night, Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Eric Hartzell Poster Giveaway (2,000), Chrisagis Brothers Post Game Concert

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), Wheeling Island Nailer Night

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, Eric Hartzell & Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 2.67, Eric Hartzell

Save Percentage: .914, Eric Hartzell

Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell

North Division Standings

1. Fort Wayne Komets 50

2. Toledo Walleye 48

3. Cincinnati Cyclones 32

4. WHEELING NAILERS 28

5. Kalamazoo Wings 26

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, an Eric Hartzell poster will be given to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, thanks to RSQP Print & Design. As part of Faith & Family Night, the Chrisagis Brothers will perform in a post game concert.

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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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.

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