ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on March 23, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Tue. 3/17 Toledo Walleye 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 4 (Shootout)

Torquato (Army, Brace)

Army (Fournier)

Makowski (Torquato, Army)

Brace (Bakker, Boak)

Palazzese- 35/39

SO: Gilbert N, Army N, Torquato Y. Palazzese: 0/4.

Fri. 3/20 WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Elmira Jackals 1 (Shootout)

Johnson (Army, Torquato)

Palazzese- 36/37

SO: Johnson N, Gilbert Y, Ratchuk Y, Torquato N. Palazzese: 4/4.

Sat. 3/21 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ Elmira Jackals 2

Johnson (Torquato, Ratchuk)

Palazzese- 28/30

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers climbed into fourth place in the ECHL's North Division, after ending up with three different results in their three games. On Tuesday night, the Nailers hosted the offensively talented Toledo Walleye, whom they were able to outscore 4-2 during the first forty minutes of action. Zack Torquato, Derek Army, David Makowski, and Riley Brace had the tallies, as the home team looked to be in control. However, the Walleye showed incredible resistence, battling back to tie the score, before going 4-for-4 in the shootout for the 5-4 comeback win. Wheeling didn't have to wait long for a better shootout result, as Friday night's tilt against the Elmira Jackals was also unable to be decided in regulation. Chaz Johnson and Zach Tolkinen exchanged third period markers for the only two goals of the evening, as Franky Palazzese and Travis Fullerton matched each other save for save. Palazzese continued to shine in the shootout, stopping all four shots he faced, while Fullerton was solved by David Gilbert and Mike Ratchuk. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to sweep their weekend series in New York, as the Jackals rebounded for a 2-1 win in regulation on Saturday. Johnson's power play marker in the third period brought Wheeling within one, but the visitors were unable to come up with an equalizer.

Wheeling currently holds a one-point lead over Cincinnati and Indy for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division, in addition to having a game in hand on the Cyclones and two on the Fuel. Zack Torquato found the scoresheet in all three games last week, and now possesses the longest active point streak in the ECHL at 11 consecutive contests. Friday's shootout win was the Nailers' first in 41 games at First Arena. David Gilbert scored his second shootout winning goal of the season, with both occurrring against Elmira, whom Wheeling has defeated for three of its four shootout triumphs. The Nailers have scored two goals with an extra attacker in 2014-15, but have yet to tie a game in that situation. Wheeling has scored at least one goal in all five of its shootouts this season, converting on 12 of 26 attempts (46.2%).

This Week

Wed. 3/25 Toledo Walleye @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:05

Fri. 3/27 Fort Wayne Komets @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sat. 3/28 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sun. 3/29 Cincinnati Cyclones @ WHEELING NAILERS, 4:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will get to enjoy the comforts of home, while taking on some stiff competition with four games in five days. On Wednesday night, Wheeling will look for revenge against the Toledo Walleye, following last Tuesday's shootout defeat. The Walleye lead the North Division with 90 points, and are five wins away from the largest single season turnaround in ECHL history. The Nailers have beaten Toledo once in six head-to-head meetings thus far. On Friday night, the second place team in the North Division pays a visit, as Wheeling battles the Fort Wayne Komets for the first time since late January. The Nailers are in search of their second season series win against Fort Wayne in three tries, having won two of the first three contests. On Saturday night, the Reading Royals will travel to the Ohio Valley for the first time in over a month, since their 12-game winning streak was ended by Wheeling on February 13th. The Royals are currently in second place in the East Division, surrounded by Florida and South Carolina, who both have double digit unbeaten streaks. On Sunday afternoon, a key game in the playoff race will take place, as the Nailers will host the Cincinnati Cyclones for the final time in 2014-15. Cincinnati stole a 4-3 win from Wheeling on February 6th to take a 2-1 lead in the season series. Both teams will take the ice three times in four days, prior to Sunday's showdown.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

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

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

Sat. 3/28 vs. Reading- CORE Weekend, NASCAR Night, Travis Braden Appearance, Special Jerseys, McDonald's Friends & Family Tickets

Sun. 3/29 vs. Cincinnati- Pucks & Paws, Family Funday, Post Game Skate With the Team, Oglebay Good Zoo Day, $5 Kids Tickets

Fri. 4/3 vs. Evansville- Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, Player Poster Giveaway (2,000)

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 25, Derek Army

Assists: 40, Riley Brace

Points: 58, Riley Brace

Penalty Minutes: 191, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +17, Riley Brace

Wins: 17, Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 2.72, Eric Hartzell

Save Percentage: .912, Eric Hartzell

Shutouts: 1, Eric Hartzell & Franky Palazzese

North Division Standings

1. Toledo Walleye 92 (at WHL, vs. SC, vs. EVN)

2. Fort Wayne Komets 90 (at ELM, at WHL, at CIN)

3. Kalamazoo Wings 67 (at COL, at COL, at COL)

4. WHEELING NAILERS 62 (vs. TOL, vs. FW, vs. REA, vs. CIN)

5. Cincinnati Cyclones 61 (vs. SC, vs. EVN, vs. FW, at WHL)

6. Indy Fuel 61 (vs. REA, vs. SC)

7. Evansville IceMen 36 (at CIN, at TOL, vs. SC)

The next homestand will take place with four games in five days from March 25th-29th . NASCAR Night on March 28th will be the highlight game of the week, as the Nailers will wear special jerseys as part of CORE Weekend, while a NASCAR race car will be at the game. March 29th will be the final Family Funday and Post Game Skate, while March 27th is a Flat Screen Friday, Frosty Friday, and Player Poster Giveaway.

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

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