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ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report

January 25, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Last week, the Wheeling Nailers were originally scheduled to play three games in three days at home, but Mother Nature made a slight modification, as Winter Storm Jonas prevented the Brampton Beast from arriving on Sunday. So, the Nailers ended up playing their two-game series against the Kalamazoo Wings, with both clubs earning one victory. On Friday night, the teams battled to a scoreless first period, before the Wings opened the scoring with four minutes left in the middle frame. Connor Leen tied the tilt in the third for Wheeling, ultimately forcing overtime in the defensive tussle. At the 2:17 mark of the extra session, Andrew Cerretani gave the home team the 2-1 win, as he backhanded home the rebound of Cody Wydo's initial shot. Unfortunately, the Nailers were unable to carry that momentum into a second straight triumph on Saturday. Once again, Kalamazoo scored first, but Wheeling had an answer, thanks to a partial breakaway by Wydo in the second period. The third period was all Wings, as they lit the lamp three times in 4:12 for a 4-1 decision. Casey DeSmith and Joel Martin were the goaltenders of record in both games. DeSmith made 54 saves on 59 shots during the weekend set for the Nailers.

Friday night marked the fifth time in 2015-16 that the Nailers played in a game that went past regulation. Wheeling netted the tying goal in all five of those contests, doing so in the third period on four occasions, including Friday. The one difference in this scenario was that the Nailers ended up victorious, thanks to Andrew Cerretani, who has three goals and seven points in nine games with the squad. The overtime win was Wheeling's first since February 13, 2015, when Riley Brace scored to defeat the Reading Royals. Friday's result also made a winner out of Casey DeSmith for the first time in his ECHL career, 19 days after he backstopped his first AHL win with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In addition, the victory was Wheeling's second when trailing after two periods. Despite the triumph, Anton Zlobin's season-high eight-game point streak came to an end. The Nailers are 10-10-3 at home this season.

This Week

Fri. 1/29 WHEELING NAILERS @ Elmira Jackals, 7:05

Sat. 1/30 WHEELING NAILERS @ Elmira Jackals, 7:05

Sun. 1/31 WHEELING NAILERS @ Brampton Beast, 2:00

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will conclude the month of January with three road games, in hopes of building some positive vibes on enemy ice, as ten of the next 12 games will take place away from WesBanco Arena. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Nailers will make their first trip to Elmira, where they will face the Jackals for the second and third tilts in a six-game season series. Elmira got the upper hand in the opening match, coming away with a 3-2 shootout win on December 6th. Similar to Wheeling, the Jackals have fallen on hard times as of late, having gone 4-9-1 in their last 14 games. However, Elmira may be in the process of turning its fortunes around, after accumulating five of six possible points last week to reclaim eighth place in the Eastern Conference. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers will make their first visit to Brampton since October 25th, where they will battle the Beast. Wheeling has won three of five head-to-head meetings thus far, including a 4-3 score in the previous Powerade Centre clash. The Nailers currently lead Brampton by two points, although the Beast will be in action on Monday night at Reading. Two weeks ago, Brampton was swept in three games by the Florida Everblades, but has gone 1-0-1 since returning to the colder climate.

Upcoming Home Games/Promotions

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

Fri. 2/26 vs. Greenville- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday

Sat. 2/27 vs. Elmira- Disney Night Featuring Corey Fogelmanis (Farkle from Girl Meets World), Pink in the Rink

Sun. 2/28 vs. Elmira- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate with the Team (Odd Numbered Players)

Nailers Leaders

Goals: 14, Jarrett Burton

Assists: 22, Mathew Maione

Points: 33, Jarrett Burton

Penalty Minutes: 105, 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 52

2. Kalamazoo Wings 37

3. WHEELING NAILERS 36

4. Brampton Beast 34

Last Week

Fri. 1/22 Kalamazoo Wings 1 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2 (overtime)

Leen (Cerretani)

Cerretani (Wydo, Maione)

DeSmith- 27/28

Sat. 1/23 Kalamazoo Wings 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 1

Wydo (Cerretani, Leen)

Sun. 1/24 Brampton Beast @ WHEELING NAILERS

Postponed to March 8th

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 25, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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