Nailers at Wings Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(0-2-1-0, 1 PT, 6th North, T-12th East)6 GF, 9 GAPP: 18.2% (2-for-11), T-9thPK: 80.0% (8-for-10), 22nd

17-F-Jordan Kwas (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 3 games)25-F-Josh Shalla (2 goals, 2 points in 3 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (2 goals, 2 points in 3 games)72-F-Darryl Lloyd (1 goal, 1 point in 1 game)8 players tied (1 assist, 1 point in 3 games)31-G-Doug Carr (0-2-1 record, 2.96 GAA, .901 Sv% in 3 games)

KALAMAZOO WINGS(3-1-0-0, 6 PTS, T-3rd Central, T-4th West)11 GF, 4 GAPP: 0.0% (0-for-22), T-23rdPK: 91.7% (11-for-12), T-6th

93-F-Justin Taylor (1 goal, 5 assists, 6 points in 4 games)11-D-Charlie Vasaturo (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 4 games)44-D-Michael Trebish (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 4 games)23-F-Austin Wuthrich (3 assists, 3 points in 3 games)17-F-Scott Henegar (2 goals, 2 points in 4 games)26-F-Tyler Biggs (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points in 2 games)49-G-Joel Martin (1-1-0 record, 1.52 GAA, .951 Sv% in 2 games)

Head to Head2015-16 Season Series: Wings 5, Nailers 32015-16 Season Series at Wings Event Center: Wings 2, Nailers 1All-Time Series: Wings 21, Nailers 19All-Time Series at Wings Event Center: Wings 10, Nailers 9

Houser Held the FortThe Wheeling Nailers turned up the pressure on Saturday night, when they played their first road game of the 2016-17 season at US Bank Arena against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Wheeling produced 40 shots on goal, but faced the tall task of being opposed by Michael Houser, who was making his season debut with the Cyclones. It took until the two-minute mark of the third period for the Nailers to find the back of the net, when Garrett Meurs roofed the rebound of Sam Windle's initial opportunity. The tally was Meurs' second in as many contests. That tied the score 1-1, after Cincinnati had scored during the final minute of the opening stanza. Unfortunately, the story didn't have a happy ending for Wheeling, as Dominic Zombo put the Cyclones ahead with 2:09 remaining in regulation, finishing off a rush with Andrew Yogan and Kenny Ryan. Houser completed his night with 39 saves, edging out Doug Carr, who turned in a solid 27-stop effort for the Nailers.

Life in the West Starts With a SplitThe Kalamazoo Wings are one of the newest teams in the Western Conference in 2016-17, following a realignment by the ECHL over the summer. Kalamazoo opened the regular season with a sweep on the road in Norfolk, before returning to this part of the country for a home-and-home series with its division rival, the Fort Wayne Komets. The road team got the upper hand in both clashes, starting with the Komets at Wings Event Center on Friday night. Fort Wayne built a 2-0 lead, before Charlie Vasaturo cut the margin in half for Kalamazoo. However, the Wings were unable to solve Pat Nagle again, as they were saddled with the 2-1 setback. The next day was a different story, as Kalamazoo capitalized on former Nailer Eric Hartzell, who made his Komets debut. Justin Taylor, Tyler Biggs, and Scott Henegar found the back of the net in the middle frame, and Nick Riopel made a 4-1 final score stand up, as he thwarted 41 of the 42 shots sent his way.

Welcome to the Lineup, WebbyDefenseman Michael Webster is expected to make his professional debut on Friday night in a Nailers uniform, after missing the first three games of the campaign. Webster was faced with a unique scenario, as he was dealt a ten-game suspension during his final playoff series with the OHL's Barrie Colts last spring. He was able to serve one of the ten games there, but the final nine got carried over to the pro game, then reduced to three. Michael signed an American Hockey League contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and attended training camp with the AHL Penguins. The Toronto, Ontario native saw his production rise in each of his four seasons with the Colts, as he went from an 11-point year as a rookie to a 44-point slate as a 20-year old. Webster would be the second Wheeling blueliner to make his debut in as many games, joining Ross McMullan, who suited up in Cincinnati on Saturday.

Not Much Getting ThroughIn their first four games of the campaign, the Wings have been one of the tightest defensive teams in the ECHL, as they have limited the opposition to just four goals, while posting a 3-1-0 record. As is the case with many teams in the league, Kalamazoo has a dynamic one-two punch in net, with 34-year old Joel Martin and former Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Nick Riopel each seeing two games worth of action. Three of the four goals surrendered have occurred at even strength, as only one power play goal has been scored in a game involving the Wings this season. Captain Ben Wilson resides on the blueline for Kalamazoo, and he has picked up one goal, while leading the squad with seven penalty minutes. Former Nailer Kyle Bushee is also a member of the club, as he appeared in the first two games, before being placed on 21-day injured reserve. The earliest Bushee can return is November 7th, meaning he will miss each of the first three games against Wheeling. Charlie Vasaturo and Michael Trebish have both contributed three points from the back end, trailing only Justin Taylor (six points) on the team leaderboard.

See You at Our Place TomorrowFriday night marks the first of ten head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Wings this season, as well as the first of five battles at Wings Event Center. When Wheeling and Kalamazoo drop the puck this weekend, there will very frequently be another game to follow, as six of the ten contests are part of three home-and-home series, including this one to open up the season series. Last year, the two sides took the ice eight times, with the first five taking place at WesBanco Arena, before the scene shifted to Southwest Michigan for the final three. The Wings got the upper hand in both parts of the set, taking three of five games on the road, then going 2-1 on home ice, with victories in each of the last two matches, to clinch the winning decision for the year. As is evident by the 21-19 total in the all-time series, each season tends to be evenly matched, with the season series win having gone a different way in five consecutive campaigns. Both teams have reached the postseason in five of the last six seasons, with 2012-13 serving as the lone miss for both organizations.