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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

January 4, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last week, the Wheeling Nailers continued their season-long seven-game homestand, as they took the ice three times at WesBanco Arena, facing the Brampton Beast and Norfolk Admirals. On Thursday night, Wheeling played its 22nd New Year's Eve home game in 24 seasons, and despite rallying from a 3-1 deficit to tie the score in the third, was unable to secure the win, as Brandon Marino lifted Brampton to victory at 1:01 of overtime. Matia Marcantuoni opened the scoring in the first period for the Nailers, while Anton Zlobin and Andrew Cerretani keyed the comeback in the third, with two primary helpers from Mathew Maione. On Saturday night, Wheeling and the Beast battled again, and this time, the home squad was in control from start to finish, donning vintage Thunderbird uniforms. Jarrett Burton scored from his brother Tanner in the first period, then added another marker in the middle frame. Tim Hall pushed the advantage to three, before power play goals by Zlobin and Connor Leen put the contest out of reach. Jeff Brown spoiled Franky Palazzese's shutout bid, but the second year goalie still made 26 saves for his ninth win of the year. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to duplicate that performance on Sunday, as they ran out of gas against the Admirals. Norfolk turned on the red light in the opening minute of both the first and second periods, which ultimately led to four goals in the middle stanza. Zlobin notched two goals and three points, while Marcantuoni added the third tally.

David Gove earned his first win as head coach of the Nailers in his fourth game in that capacity on Saturday night. Coincidentally, Clark Donatelli collected his first win with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that same night in his fourth game with the club. Thursday night was the fourth time that Wheeling has gone to overtime this season. The Nailers have scored the tying goal in all four, but they and the Alaska Aces have yet to win a game that goes past sixty minutes. Franky Palazzese has started each of the last seven games between the pipes. Anton Zlobin's goal on Thursday was his first since the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs, and he now has four goals and six points in his last three tilts. Andrew Cerretani became the second Wheeling player to score in his professional debut, doing so on Thursday. He has three points in three games. Jarrett Burton's goal assisted by his brother Tanner marked the first time that one Burton brother scored from the other. Tim and Paul Crowder were the last Nailers to achieve that feat during the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Zack Torquato and Riley Brace became the tenth and 11th players on the 2015-16 roster to earn callups to the AHL.

This Week

Fri. 1/8 Orlando Solar Bears @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sat. 1/9 Orlando Solar Bears @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sun. 1/10 Indy Fuel @ WHEELING NAILERS, 4:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will conclude their seven-game homestand by welcoming in a pair of teams for their lone visits to WesBanco Arena. On Friday and Saturday, the Orlando Solar Bears make their way to Wheeling for the first time since November of 2014, when they netted five unanswered goals in a 6-3 win. The Nailers have yet to defeat Orlando in their history, going 0-3-2 in four seasons. The Solar Bears are currently five points back of Wheeling in the Eastern Conference Standings, having gone 12-14-5 in their first 31 games, good for 29 points. Former Nailer Denver Manderson recently rejoined Orlando's roster, and has accumulated four points in eight games. Fellow ex-Nailer Myles Harvey has appeared in four games on the blueline. On Sunday, the Indy Fuel come to town, after dropping a 2-1 decision to Wheeling at Indiana Farmers Coliseum exactly one month earlier. That win gave the Nailers a 3-2 lead in the all-time series, with two contests left to play in 2015-16. After a strong start, Indy has stumbled to 11th place in the Western Conference, entering the week with a 14-18-2 mark, good for 30 points. Alex Lavoie leads the Fuel with 25 points.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

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

Sat. 1/9 vs. Orlando- Princesses & Pirates Night, Pregame Princesses & Pirates Dinner, Winter Cheer Scarf Giveaway (First 2,500 Fans) Courtesy of WesBanco Bank, Girl Scout Night

Sun. 1/10 vs. Indy- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate with the Team (Even Numbered Players)

Fri. 1/22 vs. Kalamazoo- Opening Night #2, Trucker Hat Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans) Courtesy of Main Street Bank, Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday

Sat. 1/23 vs. Kalamazoo- Pittsburgh Pirates Night

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 13, Riley Brace & Jarrett Burton

Assists: 17, Riley Brace

Points: 30, Riley Brace

Penalty Minutes: 73, Patrick McGrath

Plus/Minus: +10, Mike Gunn

Wins: 9, Franky Palazzese

Goals Against Average: 2.84, Brian Foster

Save Percentage: .911, Brian Foster

Shutouts: 2, Franky Palazzese

North Division Standings

1. Toledo Walleye 40

2. WHEELING NAILERS 34

3. Kalamazoo Wings 27

4. Brampton Beast 26

Last Week

Thu. 12/31 Brampton Beast 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3 (overtime)

Marcantuoni (Zlobin)

Zlobin (Maione, J. Burton)

Cerretani (Maione)

Palazzese- 22/26

Sat. 1/2 Brampton Beast 1 @ WHEELING NAILERS 5

J. Burton (T. Burton)

J. Burton (Wydo, Leen)

Hall (Cerretani, Beauregard)

Zlobin (Wydo, Maione)

Leen (T. Burton, Cerretani)

Palazzese- 26/27

Sun. 1/3 Norfolk Admirals 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3

Zlobin (Lamacchia, Leen)

Zlobin (Fick)

Marcantuoni (Leen, Zlobin)

Palazzese- 33/38

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