ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on December 21, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last week, the Wheeling Nailers made their first ever trip to Moline, Illinois, where they played a pair of games against the Midwest Division leading Quad City Mallards. Both teams entered the weekend with streaks, as Wheeling had earned points in four straight tilts, while Quad City was 10-0-1 in its last 11 home contests. The Nailers got the upper hand on Friday night, becoming just the third team to earn a victory at iWireless Center in 2015-16. Mathew Maione and Derek Army scored for the visitors in the second period, before Zack Torquato extended the lead to three in the third. Guillaume Gelinas foiled Franky Palazzese's bid for a shutout with less than 50 seconds to go, but John McCarron's empty netter moments later put the final touches on a 4-1 Wheeling triumph. Palazzese made 39 saves. On Saturday night, the Nailers fell behind early, giving up two goals in a span of 38 seconds. The Mallards' lead wasn't completely safe, as Wheeling tallied three of the next four goals, tying the game at three, thanks to Jarrett Burton, Riley Brace, and McCarron. Unfortunately for the Nailers, Quad City pulled back ahead with less than two minutes left, as Olivier Archambault snapped the deadlock, lifting the home team to what turned out to be a 5-3 win.

Friday night's win marked the second time in as many seasons that the Nailers ended a positive streak of at least ten games for an opposing team, after snapping Reading's 12-game winning streak in 2014-15. Wheeling is now 6-6-1 in 13 games away from WesBanco Arena. John McCarron posted 1-1-2 totals in both games at Quad City, giving him four goals and six points in his last three games. Riley Brace was involved in the scoring of all three goals on Saturday, bringing his team-leading point total to 27. Matt Papineau made his professional debut on Friday, while Tanner Burton appeared in his first game of the campaign, as the Nailers have now utilized 30 different players this season. Saturday's game was the 100th of Derek Army's professional career, and it also featured Patrick McGrath's 500th penalty minute as a pro. Wheeling has completed four of its 17 season series, winning two (FLA, QC) and splitting two (EVN, SC).

This Week

Sat. 12/26 WHEELING NAILERS @ Toledo Walleye, 7:15

Sun. 12/27 Kalamazoo Wings @ WHEELING NAILERS, 4:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will return from the holiday break with a pair of divisional contests, including what will be the first of seven straight games at WesBanco Arena. On Saturday night, the Nailers will make their second trip of the season to Huntington Center, where they will play the third of seven matches against the Toledo Walleye. Earlier this month, the two sides split a home-and-home series, with Toledo winning 2-1 in a shootout, and Wheeling responding with a 6-2 thumping the following night. The Walleye currently own a five-point lead over the Nailers for the top spot in the North Division. On Sunday afternoon, Wheeling returns home to do battle with the Kalamazoo Wings. That will be the second of eight clashes between those two clubs, following a 4-3 comeback win by the Wings back on November 6th. Kalamazoo has struggled in the offensive end this season, as its 67 goals scored are tied for the fourth fewest in the ECHL. The Wings enter the week eight points behind the Nailers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will make their first ever visit to Moline, Illinois, where they will close out their season series against the Quad City Mallards, with a couple of clashes at iWireless Center. The Mallards came to Wheeling on Halloween, when the Nailers snapped in a pair of first period goals in a 2-1 home triumph. Since the last meeting, Quad City has been one of the top teams in the Western Conference, ranking second behind the Missouri Mavericks with a 14-7-3 record, good for 31 points. The majority of the Mallards' success has come in Northwest Illinois, where they have posted a phenomenal 10-1-1 record in front of their hometown fans. The lone regulation loss came in Quad City's home opener - a 1-0 setback to Tulsa on October 23rd. The Mallards are coming off of a two-game weekend split at Rapid City, including a Friday loss, which snapped their five-game winning streak overall. Matt Neal and Olivier Archambault are tied for the team lead with 20 points, while Mike Monfredo has chipped in with 16 assists and 19 points from the blueline. Steve Michalek (8-3-3) and Brody Hoffman (6-5-0) both have winning records between the pipes.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

Sun. 12/27 vs. Kalamazoo- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Even Numbered Players), Regifting Night (Donate a New Toy and Receive a "Buy One Get One Free" Ticket Offer to the Game)

Thu. 12/31 vs. Brampton- New Year's Eve, Cowbell Giveaway (First 2,500 Fans) Courtesy of OVMC/EORH, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets

Sat. 1/2 vs. Brampton- Throwback Night, All Tickets $7, Team Wears Special Jerseys

Sun. 1/3 vs. Norfolk- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Odd Numbered Players)

Fri. 1/8 vs. Orlando- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 12, Zack Torquato

Assists: 16, Riley Brace

Points: 27, Riley Brace

Penalty Minutes: 68, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +10, Mike Gunn & John McCarron

Wins: 8, Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 2.64, Franky Palazzese

Save Percentage: .912, Franky Palazzese

Shutouts: 2, Franky Palazzese

North Division Standings

1. Toledo Walleye 36

2. WHEELING NAILERS 31

3. Kalamazoo Wings 23

4. Brampton Beast 19

Last Week

Fri. 12/18 WHEELING NAILERS 4 @ Quad City Mallards 1

Maione (unassisted)

Army (McCarron, Maione)

Torquato (Zlobin, Army)

McCarron (unassisted)

Palazzese- 39/40

Sat. 12/19 WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Quad City Mallards 5

J. Burton (Brace)

Brace (McCarron)

McCarron (Torquato, Brace)

Palazzese- 26/30 (1 en)

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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