ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on January 19, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Fri. 1/16 WHEELING NAILERS 5 @ Brampton Beast 2

Torquato (Ratchuk, Brace)

Fernandez (Ratchuk)

Gilbert (unassisted)

Army (Brace, Ellis)

Army (Gilbert)

Hartzell- 32/34

Sat. 1/17 WHEELING NAILERS 7 @ Brampton Beast 2

Army (Gilbert)

McGrath (Bakker, Seymour)

Ellis (Torquato, Fernandez)

Skelly (Murovich, Bakker)

Gilbert (Army)

Makowski (unassisted)

Skelly (Makowski, Brace)

Hartzell- 22/24

Sun. 1/18 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ Brampton Beast 2

Brace (Army, Ratchuk)

Palazzese- 27/29

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers made their first ever venture out of the United States, as they played three games in three days against the Brampton Beast. For the third week in a row, the Nailers came away with two victories, winning the first two tilts, before falling in the finale. On Friday night, Zack Torquato scored the second (tied) fastest goal of the season just 36 seconds into the contest, putting Wheeling on the board first for the first time in seven games. The visitors seriously added to their lead in the second period, as Tyler Fernandez, David Gilbert, and Derek Army upped the advantage to 4-0. Although the Beast scored twice in the third, Army capped off the 5-2 triumph with his second tally of the evening. On Saturday night, Army and the Nailers picked up right where they left off, as he and Patrick McGrath helped build a 2-0 lead in the opening stanza. David Ling cut the lead to one for Brampton, moments before Morgan Ellis put Wheeling back on top by two with a goal at 19:55. The late marker gave the Nailers some big momentum going into the third, as Shawn Skelly (2), Gilbert, and David Makowski all turned on the red light in a 7-2 Wheeling win. On Sunday, Beast goaltender Grant Rollheiser put a stop to the powerful offense from the Ohio Valley, as he turned away 42 of the 43 shots he faced. After two scoreless periods, the two teams exchanged tallies during the final frame, in what appeared to be a clash headed to overtime. However, with less than two seconds remaining, Tyler Donati's breakaway goal gave Brampton the stunning 2-1 victory.

The Nailers end the first half of the season with an even record at 18-18-0, and are currently in fourth place in the ECHL's North Division. Brampton became the first visiting building in which Wheeling earned multiple victories in during the 2014-15 campaign. Tyler Murovich appeared in his 300th professional game on Friday, while Zack Torquato tallied his 200th professional point on Saturday. Eric Hartzell has started eight of the last ten games, going 6-2-0 during that time. Derek Army scored three goals during the three games over the weekend, and currently leads the team with 15. David Gilbert had a four-game goal streak end on Sunday, which was the longest such streak for a Wheeling player this season.

This Week

Wed. 1/21 ECHL All-Star Game, 7:00

Fri. 1/23 Fort Wayne Komets @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sat. 1/24 Fort Wayne Komets @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sun. 1/25 WHEELING NAILERS @ Toledo Walleye, 5:15

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will have a few days off to enjoy the All-Star Break, before returning to action for three games in three days over the weekend. Riley Brace will be in the starting lineup for the ECHL All-Star Team, while DJ Abisalih will broadcast the game on radio, as well as ECHL.TV. The game will take place at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. After the break, Wheeling will play a pair of home games against the North Division leading Fort Wayne Komets. The Nailers defeated the Komets 5-4 in a shootout on January 2nd, rallying from 3-0 and 4-1 deficits for the thrilling comeback win. Although it defeated Evansville on Friday, Fort Wayne suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in 2014-15 last weekend, losing both ends of a home-and-home series against Kalamazoo. On Sunday afternoon, Wheeling will make its first visit of the season to Huntington Center for an afternoon showdown with the Toledo Walleye. Toledo earned five of six possible points against South Carolina and Greenville last weekend, pulling to within two points of the Komets in the North Division. The Nailers and Walleye have only met once thus far this season, with Toledo coming out on top 4-2 on December 10th.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Fri. 1/23 vs. Fort Wayne- New Jumbotron Debut, Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Mike Ratchuk Poster Giveaway (2,000), Wheeling Island Nailer Night, School Supply Drive

Sat. 1/24 vs. Fort Wayne- Star Wars Night, Youth Ski Cap Giveaway (1,000), Boy Scout Night, McDonald's Friends & Family Tickets

Fri. 2/6 vs. Toledo- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)

Sat. 2/7 vs. Cincinnati- Duck Dynasty Night, Appearance by Jep Robertson

Sun. 2/8 vs. Elmira- Family Funday, $5 Kids Tickets, Oglebay Good Zoo Day, Post Game Skate With the Team

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 15, Derek Army

Assists: 22, Riley Brace

Points: 32, Riley Brace

Penalty Minutes: 81, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +6, Riley Brace & Shawn Skelly

Wins: 10, Eric Hartzell

Goals Against Average: 2.65, Eric Hartzell

Save Percentage: .914, Eric Hartzell

Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell

North Division Standings

1. Fort Wayne Komets 57

2. Toledo Walleye 55

3. Cincinnati Cyclones 40

4. WHEELING NAILERS 36

5. Kalamazoo Wings 34

6. Evansville IceMen 27

7. Indy Fuel 27

January 23rd & 24th will be a two-game series at home against Fort Wayne, as the new jumbotron will make its debut.

Friday's promotions include: Flat Screen Friday, courtesy of The Highlands and The Law Firm of Bordas and Bordas... Player Poster Giveaway (2,000), presented by RSQP Print & Design... Wheeling Island Nailer Night... Frosty Friday.

Saturday's game will be Star Wars Night, as well as a ski cap giveaway to the first 1,000 kids (14 & under) in attendance. That night will also feature the annual Boy Scout Sleepover.

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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ECHL Stories from January 19, 2015


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