Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
January 26, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last Week
Fri. 1/23 Fort Wayne Komets 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 5
Ellis (Brace, Fernandez)
Torquato (Brace, Fernandez)
Skelly (Gilbert)
Army (Torquato, Brace)
Ellis (Cianfrini, Brace)
Palazzese- 34/38
Sat. 1/24 Fort Wayne Komets 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 1
Army (Brace, Torquato)
Palazzese- 26/29
Sun. 1/25 WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Toledo Walleye 5
Skelly (Army, Gilbert)
Fernandez (Torquato)
Palazzese- 28/33
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers faced the tall task of taking the ice for three games in three days against the top two teams in the North Division. After a thrilling triumph in the opening contest, Wheeling was unable to secure its fourth straight two-win week, dropping the final two. On Friday night, the Nailers never trailed against the first place Fort Wayne Komets, jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first period on goals by Morgan Ellis, Zack Torquato, and Shawn Skelly. Fort Wayne rallied to tie the score in the third period, before Derek Army's 5-on-3 tally put Wheeling back on top. A few minutes later, Mike Embach netted his second goal of the evening, bringing the Komets even once again. However, the Nailers had the final say, as Morgan Ellis pumped in his second marker of the night and tenth of the season for a 5-4 Wheeling victory. On Saturday night, Fort Wayne exacted its revenge, starting with two goals in the first period. A key moment in that contest was Brett Perlini's shorthanded goal in the middle frame, lifting the Komets to a 3-0 advantage. Shawn Szydlowski added one more insurance goal, before Army's team-leading 17th tally of the campaign gave nearly 4,000 fans at WesBanco Arena their lone goal celebration of the tilt. On Sunday afternoon, another slow start plagued the Nailers, as the Toledo Walleye found themselves with a 4-0 lead before the game was 23 minutes old. Wheeling attempted a comeback with second period lamp lighters by Skelly and Tyler Fernandez, but Michael Leone's goal with 3:51 left sealed the 5-2 final for Toledo.
Derek Army collected at least one point in all three games over the weekend, extending his point streak to six games, while giving him at least one point in 19 of his last 23 contests, dating back to the start of December. Riley Brace saw his five-game point streak end on Sunday, but his four-assist performance on Friday night set a new season high, while matching the 2014-15 team's best mark for most points in a single game. Morgan Ellis has pulled into third place among defensemen in goals, having dented the twine ten times in 31 games. Friday night's victory was the 800th in team history, as Wheeling became the second ECHL club to reach that mark, following the South Carolina Stingrays.
This Week
Fri. 1/30 WHEELING NAILERS @ Kalamazoo Wings, 7:30
Sat. 1/31 WHEELING NAILERS @ Kalamazoo Wings, 7:30
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play what may turn out to be two of the largest games of the regular season, when they visit Wings Stadium for their first two meetings with the Kalamazoo Wings. Kalamazoo has been one of the hottest teams in the ECHL as of late, going 8-0-1 in its last nine games, while swiping fourth place in the North Division away from the Nailers by one point. After facing each other in back-to-back postseasons (2011 & 2012), clashes between Wheeling and Kalamazoo have been few and far between, as the two sides have met just six times in two seasons. Four of those tilts have required shootouts, with three ending in the Nailers' favor. The Wings are led in scoring by ECHL All-Star Rookie Curtis Valk, who has 30 points in 31 games, while veteran Joel Martin has been a rock in goal, earning 13 of the team's 18 wins. Four of the five contests in the season series will take place at Wings Stadium, with Kalamazoo's lone trip to Wheeling taking place on March 13th.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
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, Beard Contest, Duck Call Contest (8:05 face-off)
Sun. 2/8 vs. Elmira- Family Funday, $5 Kids Tickets, Oglebay Good Zoo Day, Post Game Skate With the Team
Fri. 2/13 vs. Reading- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000), Swipe Right Night
Mon. 2/16 vs. Elmira- President's Day Afternoon Game (1:05 face-off)
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 17, Derek Army
Assists: 27, Riley Brace
Points: 37, Riley Brace
Penalty Minutes: 97, Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +5, 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. Toledo Walleye 59
2. Fort Wayne Komets 59
3. Cincinnati Cyclones 42
4. Kalamazoo Wings 39
5. WHEELING NAILERS 38
6. Indy Fuel 33
7. Evansville IceMen 28
The Nailers will play a three-game homestand on February 6th, 7th, and 8th.
Friday the 6th is a 7:35 game against Toledo, featuring Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and a player poster giveaway.
Saturday the 7th is Duck Dynasty Night at 8:05 against Cincinnati, with an appearance by Jep Robertson from A&E's highest rated television show.
Sunday the 8th is a 4:05 face-off against Elmira, and after the game, fans can join the Nailers for a post game skate. Kids tickets for that contest will be $5, and the Oglebay Good Zoo will have an exhibit in the concourse.
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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