ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

Published on January 18, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last week, the Wheeling Nailers hit the road for the first time since late December, in hopes that a couple of different facilities would lead to a change in results. While Wheeling was involved in two games decided by a goal, the end results were unfortunately similar, as the local club lost its fifth and sixth games in a row, falling three games under .500 for the first time since December of 2012. On Saturday night, the Nailers surrendered an early goal to the Toledo Walleye, but battled back to tie the game on John McCarron's goal 1:18 later. Toledo responded with three straight tallies to build a 4-1 lead, before Wheeling rallied to within one on markers by Anton Zlobin and Connor Leen. One was as close as the visitors got, as the Walleye prevailed, 4-3. On Sunday, the power play was a strong point for the Nailers, who scored on two of five attempts, getting both goals from Cody Wydo. However, the Indy Fuel also scored twice on the power play, converting on both halves of a double-minor called in the late stages of the second period. Indy also tallied at even strength for a 3-2 win.

One of the brightest areas of late for the Nailers has been the performance of their power play, which went 3-for-7 over the weekend and is now 5-for-9, dating back to the final man advantage of the January 9th tilt against the Orlando Solar Bears. Sunday's game was the sixth this season in which the team scored multiple times on the power play. Anton Zlobin leads the way with four power play goals, all of which have come in the last eight games, which is the length of his active point streak. Cody Wydo's two-goal game on Sunday was his second of the season, with the other one taking place three weeks earlier on December 27th. Falling behind has been an unfortunate trend for Wheeling during its recent struggles, as the team has scored the first goal just five times in the last 18 games, dating back to the start of December (5-10-3). Equipment Manager Billy Higgins worked his 900th regular season game with the Nailers on Saturday.

This Week

Fri. 1/22 Kalamazoo Wings @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sat. 1/23 Kalamazoo Wings @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35

Sun. 1/24 Brampton Beast @ WHEELING NAILERS, 4:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will return to WesBanco Arena for three games in three days, all against North Division opponents. On Friday night, the Nailers will look to turn the tides against the Kalamazoo Wings, who have already won twice in West Virginia this season. Kalamazoo edged Wheeling 4-3 on November 6th, then exploded for a 7-4 triumph on December 27th. The Nailers and Wings are currently tied for second place in the North Division with 34 points, as both clubs look up toward the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which is currently held by the Elmira Jackals with 42 points. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers will play their final home tilt of the year against the Brampton Beast, whom they will face three more times at Powerade Centre. Wheeling and Brampton split a pair of games around the new year, with the Beast winning 4-3 in overtime on December 31st, and the Nailers responding with a 5-1 win as the Thunderbirds on January 2nd to take a 3-2 lead in the nine-game season series. Wheeling currently leads Brampton by two points in the standings.

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, Recognition of National Champion Wheeling Jesuit University Volleyball

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: 21, Mathew Maione

Points: 32, Jarrett Burton

Penalty Minutes: 93, 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 48

2. WHEELING NAILERS 34

3. Kalamazoo Wings 34

4. Brampton Beast 32

Last Week

Sat. 1/16 WHEELING NAILERS 3 @ Toledo Walleye 4

McCarron (Maione, Zlobin)

Zlobin (J. Burton, Maione)

Leen (Hall, McGrath)

DeSmith- 30/34

Sun. 1/17 WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Indy Fuel 3

Wydo (J. Burton, Maione)

Wydo (McCarron, Zlobin)

Palazzese- 33/36

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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