Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
January 11, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers concluded their seven-game homestand at WesBanco Arena, but unfortunately, the results didn't go the way they had hoped. On Friday night, Wheeling played an almost perfect first period, outshooting Orlando 13-5, while taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Anton Zlobin and Cody Wydo. However, the rest of the evening went in the opposite direction, as the Solar Bears netted five unanswered tallies, while killing off a five-minute power play.in a 5-2 win. On Saturday night, the Nailers struck first again against their Floridian opposition, as Danny Fick lit the lamp for the first time in his pro career. Orlando rallied to take 2-1 and 3-2 leads, before Wheeling answered with goals by Andrew Cerretani and Matia Marcantuoni. With 6:51 left in regulation, the Solar Bears took their final lead of the night, then added two empty netters for a 6-3 final score. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers found themselves in a tight battle with the Indy Fuel. Both teams scored in the first and second periods, leading to a 2-2 tie in the third. Zlobin and Jarrett Burton were the Wheeling goal scorers. At the 17:37 mark of the final stanza, Indy snapped the deadlock, and ultimately hung on for the 3-2 victory, despite a 41-shot attack for the home team. Franky Palazzese started on Friday and Sunday, while Brian Foster played the middle game on Saturday.
During the seven-game homestand, the Nailers posted a painful record of 1-5-1, earning only three of 14 possible points. Wheeling's home record now stands at 9-9-3 - the first time it has been at the .500 mark since the first weekend of November. The Nailers have also fallen below .500 overall for the first time in 2015-16, as they are 15-16-4 with one game remaining until the midway mark of the campaign. Wheeling and its opposition was tied after the second period in all three contests over the weekend. Anton Zlobin recorded at least one point in all three games, and is currently on a six-game point streak - the longest by a Nailer this season. During that span, he has six goals and ten points. Danny Fick became the eighth member of the team to score his first pro goal, when he did so on Saturday night.
This Week
Sat. 1/16 WHEELING NAILERS @ Toledo Walleye, 7:15
Sun. 1/17 WHEELING NAILERS @ Indy Fuel, 3:05
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will head out on the road for the first time since December 26th. Oddly enough, they will find themselves in the exact same building they were in on that date, as they visit Huntington Center on Saturday night, home of the Toledo Walleye. The home team has won all three games between Wheeling and Toledo this season, with the Walleye taking 2-1 and 4-1 decisions in Northwest Ohio, and the Nailers winning 6-2 at WesBanco Arena. Toledo has won each of its last three games, opening up a 10-point lead over Wheeling for the top spot in the North Division. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers will conclude their three-game season series against the Indy Fuel at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Wheeling and Indy have played twice thus far, with the road team winning by one goal on both occasions. A recent three-game winning streak has lifted the Fuel into a tie for seventh place in the Western Conference, despite being one game under .500.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
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, Starring Catcher Francisco Cervelli
Sun. 1/24 vs. Brampton- Family Funday, $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Odd Numbered Players)
Fri. 2/5 vs. Reading- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday
Sat. 2/6 vs. Reading- Pittsburgh Steelers Night, Starring Brett Keisel, Boy Scout Night
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 14, Jarrett Burton
Assists: 18, Mathew Maione
Points: 30, Riley Brace & Jarrett Burton
Penalty Minutes: 75, Patrick McGrath
Plus/Minus: +10, Mike Gunn
Wins: 9, Franky Palazzese
Goals Against Average: 2.93, Brian Foster
Save Percentage: .905, Brian Foster
Shutouts: 2, Franky Palazzese
North Division Standings
1. Toledo Walleye 44
2. WHEELING NAILERS 34
3. Kalamazoo Wings 31
4. Brampton Beast 30
Last Week
Fri. 1/8 Orlando Solar Bears 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2
Zlobin (Leen)
Wydo (Leen)
Palazzese- 19/24
Sat. 1/9 Orlando Solar Bears 6 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3
Fick (Zlobin, Marcantuoni)
Cerretani (Stern, Bakker)
Marcantuoni (Wydo, J. Burton)
Foster- 14/18 (2 en)
Sun. 1/10 Indy Fuel 3 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2
Zlobin (Maione, Wydo)
J. Burton (Zlobin, Maione)
Palazzese- 24/27
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