Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
February 2, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last Week
Fri. 1/30 WHEELING NAILERS 4 @ Kalamazoo Wings 1
Ellis (Torquato)
Gilbert (Torquato)
Brace (Gilbert)
Ellis (Murovich)
Palazzese- 32/33
Sat. 1/31 WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Kalamazoo Wings 4
Murovich (unassisted)
Army (Brace, Burton)
Johnson (Army)
Palazzese- 22/26
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers played a crucial two-game series on the road against the Kalamazoo Wings, and were able to earn a split, winning the opener, before falling in the finale. On Friday night, Morgan Ellis was the only player who found the back of the net during the first forty minutes, as Wheeling had a 1-0 lead at the second intermission. Kalamazoo's Dane Fox tied the score at the 14-second mark of the third period, but the Nailers responded on David Gilbert's go-ahead goal. Riley Brace and Ellis added empty netters in the final minute, while Franky Palazzese denied 32 attempts for his tenth win of the season in a 4-1 final score. On Saturday night, Wheeling again scored first, as Tyler Murovich capitalized on a turnover for his fourth of the campaign. A few minutes later, a hometown bounce allowed the Wings to pull even, in what turned out to be a back-and-forth contest. After Kalamazoo took its first lead of the weekend with a shorthanded goal, Derek Army and Chaz Johnson steered the Nailers back in front, 3-2. Unfortunately, Wheeling was unable to take a point out of that tilt, as the Wings evened the score in the middle frame, before Justin Taylor's third period power play goal turned out to be the game winner in a 4-3 decision for the home team. Palazzese and Joel Martin were the goaltenders of record both nights.
Morgan Ellis's two-goal game on Friday was his third of the month, leading him to nine goals, four assists, and 13 points in 14 January contests. His 12 tallies place him second among defensemen in the ECHL, trailing only Colorado's Collin Bowman (14). With a goal, an assist, and a fight on Saturday, Derek Army became the first Nailer to record a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in 2014-15. Wheeling has now faced off against all 15 of its scheduled opponents this season, having acquired victories against 12 of them. The Nailers never won nor lost more than two straight games in the month of January, compiling a 7-7-0 record.
This Week
Wed. 2/4 WHEELING NAILERS @ Reading Royals, 7:30
Fri. 2/6 Toledo Walleye @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35
Sat. 2/7 Cincinnati Cyclones @ WHEELING NAILERS, 8:05
Sun. 2/8 Elmira Jackals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 4:05
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play four games in five days for the second time during the 2015 calendar year, after going 2-2-0 during the middle of January. The lone road contest of the week will take place on Wednesday, when the Nailers visit the Reading Royals, who have roared into second place in the East Division, thanks to a seven-game winning streak. Wheeling and Reading have already played eight of their 12 head-to-head meetings, with both teams having gone 4-0-0 on home ice. On Friday night, a four-game homestand begins, when the division leading Toledo Walleye swim into WesBanco Arena. Toledo has won both meetings against the Nailers thus far, with three contests scheduled for February. On Saturday night, Wheeling will finally get its first look at home against the Cincinnati Cyclones, whom they split a pair of games with at US Bank Arena. Cincinnati has suffered four straight defeats, but currently holds a two-point lead over the Nailers, with games scheduled against Kalamazoo and Elmira before the Saturday Showdown. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, Wheeling will welcome the Elmira Jackals to town, who currently occupy the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. The Nailers have taken three of four clashes from Elmira, including both games at WesBanco Arena.
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: 18, Derek Army
Assists: 28, Riley Brace
Points: 39, Riley Brace
Penalty Minutes: 104, Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +7, Riley Brace
Wins: 10, Eric Hartzell & Franky Palazzese
Goals Against Average: 2.65, Eric Hartzell
Save Percentage: .914, Eric Hartzell
Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell
North Division Standings
1. Toledo Walleye 61
2. Fort Wayne Komets 61
3. Cincinnati Cyclones 42
4. Kalamazoo Wings 41
5. WHEELING NAILERS 40
6. Indy Fuel 37
7. Evansville IceMen 30
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. That evening will feature a beard contest and a duck call contest, as well as Nailers camouflage t-shirts available for purchase at the team store.
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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