ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on March 4, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Fri. 2/27 Elmira Jackals 2 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3 (Shootout)

Brace (Army, Cianfrini)

Makowski (J. Burton, Fournier)

Palazzese- 45/47

SO: Gilbert N, Army N, Dea Y, Brace Y, Torquato Y, Fernandez N, J. Burton N, Makowski Y, Cianfrini Y, Johnson Y, Palazzese 5/10

Sat. 2/28 Greenville Road Warriors 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3 (Overtime)

Dea (Torquato, J. Burton)

Army (Dea, Gilbert)

J. Burton (Brace, Army)

Hartzell- 23/27

Mon. 3/2 Greenville Road Warriors 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2

Makowski (Torquato, Brace)

Dea (Cianfrini)

Palazzese- 38/41

Tue. 3/3 Elmira Jackals 0 @ WHEELING NAILERS 5

J. Burton (Brace, Skelly)

Brace (Seymour)

Torquato (Army, Seymour)

Fernandez (J. Burton, McGrath)

Johnson (Bakker, Skelly)

Palazzese- 26/26

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers experienced their most intense five-day period of the season, taking the ice for four games, while posting a 2-1-1 record, good for five points. On Friday night, the Nailers and Elmira Jackals battled to a 2-2 tie in regulation and overtime, as Franky Palazzese held the fort in the Wheeling goal with a 45-save performance. The fans then got treated to a shootout for the ages, as the Nailers overcame five different deficits, before Chaz Johnson finally lifted them to the triumph in the tenth round. On Saturday night, Wheeling saw its third consecutive home game require bonus hockey, as the Nailers and Greenville Road Warriors were deadlocked 3-3. Unfortunately, that game didn't go the way of the host squad, as Mike Banwell's goal gave Greenville the win at 2:31 of overtime. After an ice problem postponed a Sunday afternoon affair, Wheeling and Greenville locked horns again on Monday night. The Nailers jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by David Makowski and Jean-Sebastien Dea, only to see the Road Warriors rally for four goals on their final 34 shots for the comeback victory. Wheeling rebounded from that disappointment on Tuesday night, as they delivered a spanking to the Elmira Jackals. Franky Palazzese stopped all 26 shots he faced, while five different players dented the twine in a 5-0 whitewash at WesBanco Arena.

Friday night's ten-round shootout was Wheeling's longest since at least 2006-07, when ECHL.com adopted Leaguestat for its statistics. Last year, the Nailers defeated Elmira in an eight-round shootout. Saturday night's overtime loss was Wheeling's first setback in overtime or a shootout during the regular season since January 4th, 2014, ending a streak of 93 consecutive games. Prior to Saturday, the team's last overtime loss in a regular season home game was November 7th, 2012. Tuesday night's 26-save shutout by Franky Palazzese was the first of his professional career, as he ran his record to 3-1-0 in his last four starts. Both of the Nailers' shutouts this season have come against the Jackals, as Eric Hartzell achieved the feat on November 23rd at First Arena. Wheeling has won all five of its home games against Elmira this season, improving its head-to-head record to 18-3-1 since the final game of the 2012-13 campaign. Last week's two victories gave Clark Donatelli 122 for his career behind the Wheeling bench, putting him two behind Doug Sauter, who currently holds the team record with 124.

This Week

Sat. 3/7 WHEELING NAILERS @ Indy Fuel, 7:35

Sun. 3/8 WHEELING NAILERS @ Evansville IceMen, 6:00

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play two pivitol road games against North Division teams, as they invade Indiana for the first time since early January. On Saturday night, the Nailers will clash with the Indy Fuel in a battle between two clubs separated by just one point. Indy has been one of the hottest teams in the ECHL during the second half, having gone 17-2-2 in its last 21 games. That run started at WesBanco Arena on January 11th, when Shane Owen and the Fuel blanked the Nailers, 3-0. Indy has won two of three games against Wheeling in the season series, with the Nailers' lone triumph coming on November 9th. On Sunday evening, Wheeling will make its way further west, where they will find themselves at Ford Center for the first of back-to-back contests against the Evansville IceMen. Contrary to the Fuel, Evansville has had a rough go as of late, suffering through a 2-17-2 slump in its last 21 games. The Nailers and IceMen have met once so far this season, with Evansville coming out on top 6-3 on November 7th. Wheeling is in search of its first all-time victory in both buildings.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Fri. 3/13 vs. Kalamazoo- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)

Sat. 3/14 vs. Elmira- Memorabilia Night with the Stanley Cup, Pirate Parrot Appearance, Trading Card Giveaway, Post Game Autograph Session

Tue. 3/17 vs. Toledo- St. Patrick's Day, $5 Kids Tickets

Wed. 3/25 vs. Toledo- WesBanco Winning Wednesday, $5 Kids Tickets

Fri. 3/27 vs. Fort Wayne- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 20, Derek Army

Assists: 35, Riley Brace

Points: 51, Riley Brace

Penalty Minutes: 142, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +12, Riley Brace

Wins: 14, Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 2.74, Eric Hartzell

Save Percentage: .909, Eric Hartzell

Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell & Franky Palazzese

North Division Standings

1. Fort Wayne Komets 78 (vs. KAL, at KAL)

2. Toledo Walleye 73 (at ELM, at REA, at REA)

3. Cincinnati Cyclones 57 (at FLA, at ORL)

4. Kalamazoo Wings 55 (at EVN, at FW, vs. FW, vs. IND)

5. Indy Fuel 54 (at EVN, vs. WHL, at KAL)

6. WHEELING NAILERS 53 (at IND, at EVN)

7. Evansville IceMen 32 (vs. KAL, vs. IND, vs. WHL)

The Nailers next homestand will take place from March 13th-17th .

Friday the 13th will be a 7:35 face-off in a key North Divsion tilt against the Kalamazoo Wings. One lucky fan will leave with a new TV on Flat Screen Friday, while 2,000 fans will get a free player poster. That night will also be a Frosty Friday .

On Saturday the 14th, the Stanley Cup comes to WesBanco Arena, as Wheeling faces Elmira at 7:35 . Three other NHL trophies will be on display on Memorabilia Night, which will also feature a trading card set giveaway and post game autograph session. The Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot will be at the game as well.

Tuesday the 17th is a 7:05 clash with the Toledo Walleye on St. Patrick's Day. Kids tickets will be $5.

Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets, as well as flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets for 2014-15 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 4, 2015


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.

OurSports Central