Nailers at Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(23-15-3-0, 49 PTS, 4th North, T-6th East)148 GF, 123 GAPP: 20.7% (39-for-188), 7thPK: 76.6% (131-for-171), 26th

8-F-Nick Sorkin (11 goals, 26 assists, 37 points in 36 games)26-D-Kevin Schulze (7 goals, 27 assists, 34 points in 37 games)17-F-Jordan Kwas (15 goals, 16 assists, 31 points in 41 games)11-F-Cody Wydo (15 goals, 15 assists, 30 points in 40 games)9-F-Christian Hilbrich (13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points in 41 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points in 40 games)29-G-Sean Maguire (9-5-1 record, 2.51 GAA, .913 Sv% in 16 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES(18-21-4-0, 40 PTS, 6th South, 11th East)117 GF, 128 GAPP: 15.1% (23-for-152), 19thPK: 82.7% (110-for-133), 17th

12-F-Andrew Yogan (13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points in 27 games)32-F-Peter Leblanc (10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points in 42 games)10-F-Shane Walsh (11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points in 42 games)40-F-Nick Huard (10 goals, 15 assists, 25 points in 43 games)17-F-Brandon McNally (9 goals, 12 assists, 21 points in 37 games)5-D-Eric Knodel (5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points in 43 games)1-G-Michael Houser (9-9-1 record, 2.54 GAA, .917 Sv% in 20 games)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Cyclones 2, Nailers 1Season Series at US Bank Arena: Cyclones 1, Nailers 0All-Time Series: Nailers 60, Cyclones 58All-Time Series at US Bank Arena: Cyclones 32, Nailers 28

The First to Five WonThe Wheeling Nailers have been an offensive juggernaut as of late, as they have scored 36 goals in their last seven games. On Sunday afternoon, they ran into an opponent who was prepared to try to match them, as they clashed with the Kalamazoo Wings at Wings Event Center. The Nailers fell behind by a pair of goals early, before Tyler Currier got the team's first goal at the 1:20 mark of the second period. Gage Quinney lit the lamp later in the middle frame, but Wheeling still trailed, 4-2, as the first minute of the third period elapsed. During that final frame, the Nailers battled back to even the score, thanks to Andrew Ammon and Garrett Meurs, who found the back of the net 1:59 apart from each other, creating a 4-4 deadlock. Despite those efforts, Wheeling was unable to earn a point, as Kalamazoo scored off of a face-off with 4:06 left in regulation to prevail, 5-4. Nick Riopel defeated Doug Carr in goal.

Not Much Offense ThereThe Cincinnati Cyclones were involved in a defensive battle when they took the ice on Wednesday night at home against the Rapid City Rush. In addition to the game being low-scoring, the shots on goal were few and far between, as both teams came away with 19 attempts. The first strike came quickly, as Ryan Walters needed just 1:09 to put Rapid City on top. With 5:02 remaining the second period, Walters made his presence felt again, as his second of the evening upped the advantage to two. Nick Huard brought the Cyclones to within one, as he punched in a power play goal with 1:30 left in regulation, but Walters was too much to handle, as he completed his hat trick for the 3-1 final score. Adam Morrison backstopped the win with 18 saves, getting the better of Mark Visentin, who came away with 16 stops.

The Elusive Double ZeroPower play goals have been regular occurrences in games involving the Nailers this season, as Wheeling has converted on 39 attempts with the man advantage, while surrendering 40 goals to the opposition. Sunday's game in Kalamazoo featured a rare feat in 2016-17, as both teams were perfect on the penalty kill. That marked just the fourth time in 41 games this season that neither team scored with an opponent in the penalty box, and the first time it happened since November 26th, ending a streak of 25 straight games with at least one power play goal. Prior to Sunday, the Nailers had been electric on the man advantage, lighting the lamp in seven consecutive matches. While the power play stole the show with four goals on Friday, Wheeling's penalty kill stepped up during the weekend as well, blanking Quad City, Brampton, and Kalamazoo on ten chances. There was one special teams goal on Sunday, and it came courtesy of the Wings' Tyler Biggs, shorthanded, in the opening stanza.

How About One More Birthday PresentSean Maguire is celebrating his 24th birthday on Thursday, and this week, he has been given a few presents for his stellar work in the crease for the Nailers. On Tuesday, Maguire was named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week, as he made 25 saves in both of his wins against Quad City and Brampton, including his second career shutout. Then, on Thursday, another league award went Sean's way, as his 6-1-1 month of January earned him Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month honors. The rookie goaltender has climbed all the way up to second place in the league in goals against average, entering the week with a 2.51 mark in that department, trailing Allen's Riley Gill (2.12). His .913 save percentage ranks tied for sixth in the league. Maguire will be one of three Nailers who will get a chance to play a game on his birthday this month. Darryl Lloyd will celebrate his 33rd birthday next Friday in Idaho, and Jordan Kwas will celebrate his 28th birthday in Brampton on February 20th.

So Long, SouthernersThursday night marks the fourth of four head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the second of two battles at US Bank Arena. Goals have been difficult to come by in the season series, as Wheeling and Cincinnati have combined to turn on the red light just 11 times in three tilts against each other. All three of the matches have been decided by one goal, with both squads taking 2-1 results on home ice, before the Cyclones spoiled the party at WesBanco Arena with a 3-2 overtime triumph on January 8th. The Nailers will be looking to square the season set for the third time in the last four years, after coming out on top 3-1 in 2015-16. This will also serve as Wheeling's final contest against a team from the South Division during the 2016-17 regular season. The South Division has given the Nailers a bit of trouble, as they will attempt to even a 2-3-2 record against that group. Wheeling has a winning record against each of the other three divisions in the ECHL.