Nailers vs. Swamp Rabbits Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(9-4-2-0, 20 PTS, 3rd North, T-5th East)50 GF, 41 GAPP: 21.2% (14-for-66), 7thPK: 83.6% (51-for-61), T-13th

25-F-Josh Shalla (10 goals, 6 assists, 16 points in 15 games)8-F-Nick Sorkin (5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points in 15 games)26-D-Kevin Schulze (2 goals, 12 assists, 14 points in 15 games)17-F-Jordan Kwas (6 goals, 5 assists, 11 points in 15 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (5 goals, 6 assists, 11 points in 15 games)11-F-Cody Wydo (4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points in 15 games)31-G-Doug Carr (5-4-1 record, 3.16 GAA, .897 Sv% in 10 games)

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS(6-5-2-0, 14 PTS, 6th South, 11th East)39 GF, 42 GAPP: 10.0% (5-for-50), 24thPK: 84.8% (39-for-46), 10th

26-F-Angelo Miceli (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points in 13 games)3-F-Ahti Oksanen (4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points in 10 games)13-D-Joe Houk (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 13 games)6-D-Spiro Goulakos (1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points in 11 games)14-F-Tommy Thompson (2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points in 12 games)18-F-Tyler Brown (1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points in 11 games)1-G-PJ Musico (First Start of the Season)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Swamp Rabbits 1, Nailers 0Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Swamp Rabbits 1, Nailers 0All-Time Series: Swamp Rabbits 14, Nailers 10All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Swamp Rabbits 8, Nailers 6

We Didn't Go Away Empty-HandedThe Wheeling Nailers saw their three-game home winning streak come to an end on Saturday night, but did manage to pick up a point for the fourth straight game at WesBanco Arena. After falling behind in the early stages of the contest, Wheeling pulled even in the second period, when Jordan Kwas finished off a Garrett Meurs pass, leading to the annual Teddy Bear Toss. The third largest crowd of the young season had put some positive emotion into the building, and the home team fed off of it, climbing into the lead 1:17 later. The goal was the second in a row that was generated from behind the net, as Nick Sorkin fed Josh Shalla for his team-leading tenth marker of the season. Unfortunately, those were the only two celebrations of the night for the Nailers, who surrendered the tying goal in the third period, as the game progressed to overtime. Visiting Greenville came away with the extra point, as it found the back of the net from the opposite circle that Brampton did on opening night, as Wheeling fell, 3-2. JP Anderson suffered the first blemish on his record, as he went to 4-0-1, despite turning away 32 of the 35 shots he faced.

They Had the Start and the FinishThe Greenville Swamp Rabbits scored the first and last goals of Saturday night's affair, in addition to one in the middle, as they earned their second road win in as many nights, defeating the Nailers, 3-2 in overtime. Greenville scored the fastest goal of the year against Wheeling, as Angelo Miceli needed just 18 seconds to squeeze in a shot from the bottom of the right circle. After giving up a couple of goals in the middle frame, the Swamp Rabbits fought back to tie the game in the third period, thanks to Paul Zanette, who put home the rebound of Michael Joly's drive to the net. The goal was Greenville's sixth in the third period on the season, as it had previously been outscored 20-5 in that stanza. In the extra session, the visitors turned to Joe Houk, who pocketed his second overtime goal of the season, speeding down the left side, before firing in a shot from the circle. That goal made a winner out of Jeff Malcolm, who made 31 saves on 33 shots.

A Rare Blank in Special TeamsPower play goals have been scored in games involving the Nailers at an incredible rate in the early goings of the season. Prior to Saturday night, Wheeling had lit the lamp on the man advantage in eight consecutive contests, and either the Nailers or the opposition had scored at least one power play goal in 11 games in a row. Both of those streaks came to their conclusions in Saturday's tilt, as Wheeling came up empty on two chances with a Swamp Rabbit in the sin bin, while Greenville turned in an 0-for-5 performance when playing with more skaters on the ice. The game was the third of the year involving the Nailers in which neither side was able to convert on the power play. The other two dates that fall into that category are October 15th (home opener) and October 22nd (road opener). Greenville hasn't had quite as much success on its power play, clicking at a 10.0% clip, but its penalty kill ranks tenth in the ECHL at 84.8%.

Overtime Going to the VisitorsFor the third time this season, Wheeling needed more than sixty minutes to decide a hockey game, as the Swamp Rabbits prevailed 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night. All three overtime contests involving the Nailers have been decided in favor of the visiting team, with Brampton winning during the 3-on-3 session on October 15th, and Greenville coming out on top on Saturday. Wheeling's lone triumph during extra time came in a shootout on October 28th at Kalamazoo. Dating back to last season, each of the Nailers last five wins after regulation during the regular season have come on enemy ice. The last time Wheeling won an overtime game at home was January 22nd, when Andrew Cerretani broke a 1-1 tie to edge the Kalamazoo Wings. The Swamp Rabbits have had similar numbers with road teams having success after the third period buzzer, as road teams have now won four of the five games decided in the five-minute period, as well as Greenville's lone trip to the shootout. The lone exception was a 2-1 win for the Swamp Rabbits over Orlando in their home opener.

No Trips to the SwampSunday afternoon marks the second and final meeting between the Nailers and Swamp Rabbits this season, as well as the second battle at WesBanco Arena. In the seven years that Wheeling and Greenville have played, the series has rocked back-and-forth with drastic swings. The then Road Warriors opened the set with a perfect 6-0 mark in 2010-11, before the Nailers responded by winning three consecutive season series in 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14. Greenville got the better of Wheeling with a 4-1-0 mark at WesBanco Arena in 2014-15, but the Nailers exacted revenge by winning the lone clash of last season. Wheeling will attempt to secure the first ever split between the two Eastern Conference clubs by coming out on top on Sunday. 2016-17 is the third consecutive season in which the Nailers do not visit Bon Secours Wellness Arena, so when the final buzzer sounds on Sunday, that will be all, unless the cities meet for a third playoff series in seven years, this time in the Eastern Conference Final. Wheeling's Derek Army and Greenville's Bretton Cameron and Jeff Malcolm are the lone players remaining from the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.