Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
November 16, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers played one of their busiest weeks in team history, as they took the ice for five games over the course of a six-day span. When all was said and done, the Nailers won three of the five tilts, while accumulating seven out of ten possible points, claiming sole possession of first place in the North Division with a 7-5-1 record and 15 points. The week began in remarkable fashion on Tuesday morning, as a loud crowd of 5,511 packed their way into WesBanco Arena. The Nailers trailed the previously 5-1-1 Cincinnati Cyclones 5-2 with less than five minutes remaining. Clark Seymour scored twice in 72 seconds to make the score 5-4, before Zack Torquato tied the game with 1:07 left. Then, with 33 seconds to go, Brett Stern netted his second goal of the day and second of his pro career, giving Wheeling its first lead at 6-5. Jarrett Burton added an empty net goal for a 7-5 final. The following night's game in Reading followed a different script, as the Nailers and Royals combined for just 45 shots. Reading's Robbie Czarnik snapped a 1-1 tie with 1:33 remaining in the middle frame, giving the home team a 2-1 win. Two nights after that, Wheeling got its revenge on the Royals. Mike Gunn opened the scoring with his first career goal 90 seconds in, before Reading pulled even. The Nailers went on to score the final five goals of the evening, including two each from Burton and Patrick McGrath in a 6-1 stomping of the Royals. On Saturday and Sunday, Wheeling played a two-game set at home against the Evansville IceMen. Evansville won the first game 2-1 on a shorthanded goal in overtime by former Nailer Daultan Leveille. The Nailers rebounded the next day, as Riley Brace broke a 2-2 deadlock, scoring twice for a 4-2 Wheeling win. Franky Palazzese was the goaltender of record in all three Wheeling triumphs.
The Nailers have given their fans lots to cheer about at home this year, posting a 5-2-1 record, while racking up 24 goals in the five victories. Tuesday's game featured the second sellout of the season. Wheeling has outshot the opposition in 11 of 13 games thus far, recording 40 on three occasions, while holding its opponents under 30 in 11 of 13 tilts. The Nailers have won each of their last five morning games played at WesBanco Arena. Brett Stern recorded at least one point in four straight games from Tuesday-Saturday, matching the team's season-high, set by Jarrett Burton and Sahir Gill. Danny Fick's assist (his first as a professional) on Adam Krause's goal Saturday gave all 19 skaters on the active roster at least one point in 2015-16. Riley Brace snagged his second career four-point game on Friday (both against Reading), as he surpassed 100 career points as a pro.
This Week
Wed. 11/18 WHEELING NAILERS @ Florida Everblades, 7:30
Fri. 11/20 WHEELING NAILERS @ Florida Everblades, 7:30
Sat. 11/21 WHEELING NAILERS @ Florida Everblades, 7:00
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will make their first visit to Germain Arena since November of 2011, where they will meet up with the Florida Everblades for a three-game series. The Nailers have played in nine road games against the Everblades all-time, going 4-4-1, including a 1-2-0 mark during the 2011-12 season. Since then, Florida has traveled to Wheeling and Johnstown for eight contests - four of which were decided in shootouts. The Everblades currently occupy the top spot in the ECHL, having gone 11-4-0 in their first 15 games. Florida enters the week on a five-game winning streak, after defeating Orlando and Idaho twice each, as well as Atlanta once. Home ice has produced a large amount of success for the Everblades, who are 6-1-0 in Estero. Mike Aviani, Matt Marquardt, and Matt Willows each have 15 points to lead the squad, while Daniel Altshuller has gone 7-1-0 between the pipes. Florida is one of two South Division teams who will not visit WesBanco Arena in 2015-16.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
Wed. 11/25 vs. Reading- Thanksgiving Eve, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Turkey Bowling, WesBanco Winning Wednesday, Thundersticks Giveaway (First 2,500 Fans), XTO Energy Blades for Grades
Sat. 11/28 vs. Brampton- Military Appreciation Night, Camouflage Hat Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans) Presented by Main Street Bank
Fri. 12/4 vs. South Carolina- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday
Sat. 12/5 vs. South Carolina- Star Wars Night, Appearances by the Characters, T-Shirt Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans), Team Wears Star Wars Jerseys, Presented by OVMC & EORH, Teddy Bear Toss Night
Sun. 12/6 vs. Elmira- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Odd Numbered Players)
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 8, Jarrett Burton
Assists: 8, Derek Army
Points: 13, Riley Brace & Jarrett Burton
Penalty Minutes: 29, Shane Bakker & Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +8, Mike Gunn & Clark Seymour
Wins: 5, Franky Palazzese
Goals Against Average: 2.44, Franky Palazzese
Save Percentage: .903, Franky Palazzese
Shutouts: 1, Franky Palazzese
North Division Standings
1. WHEELING NAILERS 15
2. Kalamazoo Wings 13
3. Toledo Walleye 12
4. Brampton Beast 11
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Last Week
Tue. 11/10 Cincinnati Cyclones 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 7
Stern (Gill, McCarron)
Army (Torquato, J. Burton)
Seymour (Army)
Seymour (Bakker)
Torquato (Zlobin, Gill)
Stern (Seymour, Gill)
J. Burton (Krause)
Palazzese- 21/26
Wed. 11/11 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ Reading Royals 2
Brace (Army, Stern)
Foster- 22/24
Fri. 11/13 Reading Royals 1 @ WHEELING NAILERS 6
Gunn (Krause, Brace)
J. Burton (Brace, Stern)
McGrath (Krause, McCarron)
J. Burton (Brace, Zlobin)
McGrath (Stern, Zlobin)
Brace (unassisted)
Palazzese- 27/28
Sat. 11/14 Evansville IceMen 2 @ WHEELING NAILERS 1 (OT)
Krause (Fick, Stern)
Foster- 24/26
Sun. 11/15 Evansville IceMen 2 @ WHEELING NAILERS 4
Torquato (Loney, Seymour)
Krause (Gill, Torquato)
Brace (J. Burton, Loney)
Brace (J. Burton, Loney)
Palazzese- 21/23
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