ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on November 2, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last Week

Fri. 10/30 Adirondack Thunder 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 1

McGrath (Ruopp, Stern)

Palazzese- 21/25

Sat. 10/31 Quad City Mallards 1 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2

Gill (Seymour, McCarron)

Brace (J. Burton, Army)

Foster- 23/24

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers concluded the month of October, compiling a winning record in the opening month of a season for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign, when that club started out 5-0-0. On Friday night, the Nailers fell victim to the Adirondack Thunder, who are currently the only unbeaten team in the ECHL. Wheeling matched Adirondack one goal each, while the teams were playing at even strength, however three power play goals in six attempts created the difference for the Thunder in a 4-1 final score. The Nailers received their lone goal from Patrick McGrath, while Franky Palazzese was on the losing side of the equation for the first time in 2015-16. The following night, Wheeling took the ice against the Quad City Mallards, who were coming off of a 3-2 shootout loss in Norfolk one night earlier. The Nailers turned on the red light twice in the first period, as Sahir Gill netted a power play goal, and Riley Brace scored an even strength marker with 6.5 seconds left in the stanza. Brian Foster preserved his first home win with Wheeling and 70th of his ECHL career with 23 saves.

The Nailers ran their record to 2-1-0, when facing an opponent for the first time ever in 2015-16, which was the case against both Adirondack and Quad City. Manchester is the only team remaining in that category, and Wheeling will not see that match-up until February. Despite the 4-2-0 mark this season, October is the lone month that the Nailers don't have a winning all-time record in regular season play, as they have posted a 68-74-8 mark in their 24 years. On Saturday night, Dallas Ehrhardt became the 22nd player to appear in a game with Wheeling this season, as well as the 700th in team history. The Nailers have held the opposition to 25 or fewer shots in five of six games this season, while scoring at least once on the power play in four of their six games thus far. Goaltenders Franky Palazzese and Brian Foster share identical 2-1-0 records.

This Week

Fri. 11/6 Kalamazoo Wings @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sat. 11/7 WHEELING NAILERS @ Norfolk Admirals, 7:15

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will renew a pair of rivalries, each bringing a different twist to the table. On Friday night, the Nailers will play their first game of the season against the Kalamazoo Wings, who are divisional rivals with Wheeling for the second straight season. Kalamazoo started the year with four straight losses, but has since rebounded, winning back-to-back tilts against Western Conference foes Indy and Cincinnati. This season, the Nailers and Wings will collide eight times, with the first five meetings taking place at WesBanco Arena, and the final three at Wings Event Center. Kalamazoo possesses some familiar names from previous seasons in the likes of Joel Martin and Justin Taylor, in addition to 2014-15 Nailer David Gilbert. On Saturday night, Wheeling will make its final visit of the regular season to Norfolk, where it will do battle with the Admirals for the third time. The two sides split a pair of games on opening weekend, with the Nailers winning the opener 3-0, and the Admirals responding with a 4-2 result the following night. Norfolk enters the week with a 2-4-0 record overall. Both teams will drop the puck before their games with Wheeling, as the Wings have a morning game against Adirondack on Tuesday, while the Admirals host Greenville on Friday.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Fri. 11/6 vs. Kalamazoo- Flat Screen Friday Presented by the Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday, Food Drive to Benefit the United Way with Wheeling Casino

Tue. 11/10 vs. Cincinnati- Education Day Field Trip Game, 10:35 Start Time, All Fans Receive Thundersticks, Presented by the Highlands

Fri. 11/13 vs. Reading- Flat Screen Friday Presented by the Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday, Wheeling Island Nailer Night

Sat. 11/14 vs. Evansville- WVU College Football Night, Starring Pat White & Steve Slaton

Sun. 11/15 vs. Evansville- Family Fun Day With McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Even Numbered Players)

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 4, Jarrett Burton

Assists: 6, Derek Army

Points: 8, Derek Army

Penalty Minutes: 22, Shane Bakker

Plus/Minus: +5, Mike Gunn

Wins: 2, Brian Foster & Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 1.67, Franky Palazzese

Save Percentage: .930, Franky Palazzese

Shutouts: 1, Franky Palazzese

North Division Standings

1. WHEELING NAILERS 8

2. Toledo Walleye 7

3. Kalamazoo Wings 4

4. Brampton Beast 3

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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