Nailers vs. Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(16-12-2-0, 34 PTS, 5th North, T-9th East)101 GF, 91 GAPP: 17.3% (23-for-133), 12thPK: 76.7% (99-for-129), 26th

26-D-Kevin Schulze (6 goals, 20 assists, 26 points in 30 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (12 goals, 11 assists, 23 points in 30 games)17-F-Jordan Kwas (10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points in 30 games)8-F-Nick Sorkin (9 goals, 13 assists, 22 points in 25 games)11-F-Cody Wydo (9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points in 29 games)14-F-Tyler Currier (5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points in 31 games)29-G-Sean Maguire (4-4-0 record, 2.98 GAA, .896 Sv% in 8 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES(15-13-4-0, 34 PTS, 5th South, T-9th East)92 GF, 91 GAPP: 13.2% (15-for-114), 21stPK: 83.5% (81-for-97), 15th

12-F-Andrew Yogan (13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points in 26 games)32-F-Peter Leblanc (8 goals, 18 assists, 26 points in 32 games)10-F-Shane Walsh (9 goals, 14 assists, 23 points in 31 games)17-F-Brandon McNally (9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points in 29 games)5-D-Eric Knodel (4 goals, 12 assists, 16 points in 32 games)40-F-Nick Huard (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 32 games)29-G-Mark Visentin (7-5-1 record, 2.76 GAA, .899 Sv% in 14 games)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Nailers 1, Cyclones 1Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Cyclones 0All-Time Series: Nailers 60, Cyclones 57All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 32, Cyclones 25

Beating Down the BestThe Wheeling Nailers picked up one of their proudest victories of the 2016-17 season on Friday night, as they welcomed the league-leading Toledo Walleye to WesBanco Arena. The Nailers were in control of the contest from the start, as they opened up a 3-0 advantage in the first period. Nick Sorkin netted the first goal, when he dangled in and lifted home a shot from the left side. That was followed by Ryan Segalla, who buried a Gage Quinney pass from the right face-off dot. Next on the scoresheet was Garrett Meurs, as Wheeling converted on its first power play with his right circle wrister. The home team kept its foot on the gas in the middle frame, extending the lead by two more. At the 9:13 mark, Jordan Kwas redirected in Brett Stern's one-timer off of the rush. Then, just nine seconds after that, Sorkin potted his second of the night, chasing Walleye goaltender Jake Paterson. Meurs added his second of the tilt in the third period for a 6-0 final score. Sean Maguire earned his first professional shutout, turning aside all 25 shots he faced.

They Also Gave Up NothingThe Cincinnati Cyclones were on the victorious side of a shutout on Friday night as well, as they played the second of three straight road games this week. The opposition was the Quad City Mallards, and the location was iWireless Center in Moline, Illinois. Cincinnati's scoring began midway through the first period, when Brandon McNally collected his eighth goal of the season. The score remained 1-0 until the last minute of the middle frame, when Shane Walsh turned on the red light for the visitors. McNally's second of the match added some insurance at the 8:08 mark of the third period, before Nick Huard put the icing on the 4-0 triumph with a power play marker. Mark Visentin took care of business in the crease for the Cyclones, as he was perfect on 25 shots, taking home his second straight win.

Leaving the Party EarlyJake Paterson got the starting nod in goal on Friday night for Toledo, but he didn't get a chance to stick around in the crease for the entire game, as he was lifted in favor of Steve Racine, after giving up five goals to the Nailers on 16 shots. That was the second straight game in which Wheeling's opponent made a goaltending change during the contest, as the Elmira Jackals yanked Jason Kasdorf after he surrendered four goals on 18 shots in the New Year's Eve clash. So far this season, the Nailers have chased the opposing netminder on three different occasions, with Brampton's Bryan Pitton being the other victim on Education Day. Paterson's substitution was his first of the season and second of his pro career. On the other side of Friday's goaltending platform, Sean Maguire continued his run of success, as his 25-save shutout ran his home winning streak to four games.

That Was Perfectly SpecialOne of the many highlights from Friday night's 6-0 thumping by the Nailers came in the form of special teams, as Wheeling's power play and penalty kill combined to turn in a perfect 100% performance. On paper, the penalty kill appeared to be the tallest task, as the Walleye entered the night with the best success rate in the ECHL. The Nailers put on their hard hats five times against Toledo's man advantage, and stood tall, keeping the Walleye goal total stuck on zero. The biggest kill of the night came early in the third period on a double-minor penalty, which saw Wheeling play down a man for four consecutive minutes. Meanwhile, the Nailers only needed two power plays, and they converted on each. The first strike came from Garrett Meurs, who found the twine with nine seconds left on a tripping minor to Alden Hirschfeld. Then, in the third period, Meurs needed just 29 seconds to make the Walleye pay for a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. The special teams victory was Wheeling's first since December 22nd.

A Quick Return TripSunday afternoon marks the third of four head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the second of two battles at WesBanco Arena. Cincinnati's last visit to West Virginia wasn't too long ago. In fact, it took place just 16 days ago, when Wheeling squeezed out a 2-1 victory, thanks to Derek Army's winning goal at the 3:56 mark of the second period. Both tilts played between the two geographical rivals have featured 2-1 final scores, with the home team coming out on top each time. Michael Houser made 39 saves in the win for the Cyclones at US Bank Arena on October 22nd, which saw Dominic Zombo net the game winner with 2:09 left in regulation. After Sunday, there will be one game remaining in the season series, and that takes place on February 2nd, when the Nailers visit the Queen City. That will also be the last game for Wheeling against a South Division foe.