Nailers vs. Mallards Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(28-24-6-0, 62 PTS, 5th North, 10th East)191 GF, 184 GAPP: 19.9% (54-for-271), 8thPK: 75.3% (177-for-235), 27th

26-D-Kevin Schulze (9 goals, 39 assists, 48 points in 54 games)8-F-Nick Sorkin (13 goals, 31 assists, 44 points in 46 games)11-F-Cody Wydo (25 goals, 18 assists, 43 points in 57 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (21 goals, 21 assists, 42 points in 57 games)17-F-Jordan Kwas (19 goals, 22 assists, 41 points in 54 games)9-F-Christian Hilbrich (13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points in 51 games)31-G-Doug Carr (14-11-2 record, 3.35 GAA, .889 Sv% in 29 games)

QUAD CITY MALLARDS(33-22-1-2, 69 PTS, 3rd Central, 6th West)182 GF, 170 GAPP: 12.8% (26-for-203), 26thPK: 82.4% (159-for-193), 15th

19-F-Josh MacDonald (23 goals, 26 assists, 49 points in 58 games)12-F-Chris Francis (21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points in 49 games)15-F-Michael Parks (21 goals, 23 assists, 44 points in 47 games)10-F-Justin Kovacs (13 goals, 30 assists, 43 points in 56 games)11-F-Sam Warning (16 goals, 26 assists, 42 points in 54 games)23-D-Kevin Gibson (2 goals, 22 assists, 24 points in 50 games)31-G-Adam Vay (16-12-2 record, 2.98 GAA, .899 Sv% in 30 games)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Nailers 3, Mallards 1Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Mallards 1All-Time Series: Nailers 5, Mallards 2All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 2, Mallards 1

Let's Shake That One OffThe Wheeling Nailers played their first home game in 20 days on Friday night, as they returned to WesBanco Arena, after playing their last seven contests in opposing buildings. The game was evenly played for the most part, but a few breaks went in the other direction, and the Nailers found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Quad City lit the lamp once in the late stages of the first period, then added two more tallies in the middle frame for a 3-0 decision. Wheeling mustered 22 shots on goal, but was unable to turn on the red light, as Adam Vay backstopped the first shutout by a visiting goaltender in the Friendly City since February 6, 2016. Sean Maguire made 27 saves for the Nailers, who thwarted all three man advantages that went to the Mallards. Garrett Meurs dropped the gloves in the third period, eclipsing 100 penalty minutes, as his total is currently 111.

Timing is EverythingThe Quad City Mallards earned at least one point for the fourth consecutive game, as they blanked the Nailers 3-0 on Friday night. The first goal came at a huge time in the contest, as less than ten seconds remaining in the opening stanza, when Michael Parks came out of the right corner, and connected with Nolan LaPorte for a shot from the slot. The Mallards upped their advantage in the second period, as Donnie Harris worked his way down the right wall, then squeezed a shot through Sean Maguire. 1:16 later, a third puck found the back of the net. Kevin Gibson centered a feed to Brady Brassart, who got his stick on the puck for a redirection tally, while in the process of being taken down to the ice. Quad City's highest shot total came during the first period, when it posted 13, en route to a game total of 30. The Nailers took eight shots in period one, then seven each in the second and third.

Clean With a Side of Nasty52 of the 60 minutes (86.7%) in Friday night's clash at WesBanco Arena were played with both teams at full strength. The Mallards played incredible responsible and disciplined road game, as they limited Wheeling to 22 shots on goal, while only taking one minor penalty that led to a power play. That marked the second time this season in a game involving the Nailers that a team had one power play opportunity, with the other contest taking place on November 11th, when Wheeling was guilty only once against Reading in a 4-1 win. The Nailers posted a disciplined effort on Friday night as well, as their penalty box door opened three times for a shorthanded situation. Wheeling's penalty kill was perfect, improving to 85.7% in the four games against Quad City. Despite the clean game, there was a fight, as Garrett Meurs chucked the knuckles with Grant Arnold, acquiring the 20th fighting major of the season for the Nailers.

Some Help from AboveBoth teams can give an assist to the American Hockey League this weekend, as rosters have been bolstered for the two-game set. The Mallards got two players back prior to Friday's game, and one of them made an immediate impact. That was Nolan LaPorte, who returned to Quad City after making his AHL debut with the Iowa Wild. LaPorte scored what turned out to be the game winning goal in the 3-0 victory for the Mallards. The other returning player was Jack Nevins, who ended up suffering an early injury, and missing a significant portion of the tilt. The Nailers got some good news from their AHL affiliate on Saturday, as Christian Hilbrich and Brett Stern will be making the trip through Pennsylvania, and are expected to arrive in time for the re-match at 7:05. Hilbrich played in all three games for Wheeling last weekend, before receiving a quick two-game recall. He is sixth on the team with 35 points. Stern has missed the last nine games for the Nailers, while being with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He has 21 points in 42 games.

Closing Out Another SeriesSaturday night marks the fifth and final head-to-head meeting between the Nailers and Mallards this season, as well as the third and final battle at WesBanco Arena. On Friday night, Quad City secured its first ever victory in Downtown Wheeling, thanks to the 22-save shutout by Adam Vay. It was only the second time in two years that the Mallards got the better of the Nailers, with the other win taking place at iWireless Center on December 19, 2015. Wheeling has already clinched the win in the 2016-17 season series, having earned three triumphs thus far. Friday was the third time in seven all-time meetings that the differential in the game wasn't one. This will be the ninth of 16 season series that will come to an end for the Nailers, who will wrap things up with Toledo on Sunday. A Wheeling victory would guarantee a winning record against the Central Division, with three games left after Saturday.