Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, Oct. 24

Last Week

Thu. 10/20 Reading Royals 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3Meurs (Prow, Kwas)Shalla (Schulze, Wydo)Kwas (Quinney, Prow)Carr- 25/29

Sat. 10/22 WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ Cincinnati Cyclones 2Meurs (Windle, Ammon)Carr- 27/29

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers were involved in two tightly played contests, which were both decided by one goal. On Thursday night, the Nailers got off to a fabulous start against the Reading Royals, as Garrett Meurs and Josh Shalla helped the home team build a 2-0 lead by the 6:13 mark of the opening period. Reading quickly responded with a power play goal, which started a string of four straight tallies, giving the Royals a 4-2 lead in the middle of the third period. Jordan Kwas brought Wheeling within one, but the Nailers were unable to come up with the equalizer, falling 4-3 on home ice. Two nights later, Wheeling hit the road for the first time in 2016-17, visiting the Cincinnati Cyclones at US Bank Arena. There, the Nailers ran into a brick wall named Michael Houser, who stood on his head with 39 saves, including a highlight reel stop during the middle frame when the score was 1-0 Cincinnati. The Cyclones netted their first goal of the night during the last minute of period one, but at the two-minute mark of the third, Meurs' second of the weekend tied it for Wheeling. With 2:09 left in regulation, Cincinnati went ahead for good, squeaking out a 2-1 victory. Doug Carr played in both games for the Nailers, making 25 and 27 saves respectively.

The Nailers have now been involved in three straight one goal games to start the 2016-17 campaign, and dating back to last year's regular season, six of the team's last seven tilts have featured one-goal margins. The lead has changed hands in two of Wheeling's three games, and there has been at least one tying goal scored in all three contests. On Saturday, Ross McMullan became the latest Nailer to make his professional debut, doing so at US Bank Arena. Wheeling got a quick glimpse at Ethan Prow, who played in his first ECHL contest on Thursday, dishing out a pair of assists. Additionally on Thursday, Kevin Schulze and Gage Quinney notched their first professional points, as Schulze assisted Josh Shalla, while Quinney set up Jordan Kwas.

This Week

Fri. 10/28 WHEELING NAILERS @ Kalamazoo Wings, 7:00Sat. 10/29 Kalamazoo Wings @ WHEELING NAILERS, 8:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play their first non-conference games on the 2016-17 slate, as they will face the Kalamazoo Wings in a home-and-home series. The set will begin at Wings Event Center on Friday, before concluding at WesBanco Arena on Saturday. Kalamazoo's defense and goaltending has shined brightly in the first two weeks of the season, as the Wings have allowed just four goals in their first four games, while posting a 3-1-0 record. All three of Kalamazoo's victories have come on enemy ice, as it swept a two-game set in Norfolk, before splitting a home-and-home series with Fort Wayne last weekend. Justin Taylor is the team's leading scorer with six points. Last season, the Nailers and Wings faced off eight times, with Kalamazoo coming out on top in five of the eight. The season series triumph has changed hands in five consecutive seasons, with Wheeling winning in 2012-13 and 2014-15, and the Wings prevailing in 2011-12, 2013-14, and 2015-16. This year, the two sides will clash on ten occasions, with five meetings taking place in each building. These will be the first of five straight games against the Western Conference for the Nailers, with all five taking place against 2015-16 divisional foes Kalamazoo and Toledo.

Upcoming Home Games/PromotionsSat. 10/29- Kids Halloween with Trick-or-Treat & Costume ContestFri. 11/4- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands, Frosty FridaySun. 11/6- Family Funday, McDonald's $6 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Odd Numbered Players)Fri. 11/11- Veteran's Day, Military Appreciation Night, Nailers Wear Camouflage Jerseys, Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands, Frosty FridayTue. 11/15- Education Day Game, 11:05 a.m. Start Time

Nailers LeadersGoals: 2, Garrett Meurs & Josh ShallaAssists: 2, Jordan Kwas & Ethan ProwPoints: 3, Jordan KwasPenalty Minutes: 8, Brett SternPlus/Minus: +3, Jordan Kwas & Garrett MeursWins: NoneGoals Against Average: 2.96, Doug CarrSave Percentage: .901, Doug CarrShutouts: None

North Division Standings1. Adirondack Thunder 2-0-1-0, 5 pts.2. Manchester Monarchs 2-1-0-1, 5 pts.3. Reading Royals 2-1-0-0, 4 pts.4. Brampton Beast 1-0-1-1, 4 pts.5. Elmira Jackals 1-2-0-0, 2 pts.6. WHEELING NAILERS 0-2-1-0, 1 pt.