Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, Mar. 27

Last Week

Wed. 3/22 Idaho Steelheads 1 @ WHEELING NAILERS 4Currier (Kerbashian, Meurs)Wydo (Sorkin, Meurs)Leavens (Sorkin, Wydo)Currier (Sorkin, Fick)Maguire- 20/21

Fri. 3/24 Idaho Steelheads 3 @ WHEELING NAILERS 2Kerbashian (Daniels, Bourbonnais)Meurs (Krieg, Kerbashian)Maguire- 25/28

Sat. 3/25 Idaho Steelheads 4 @ WHEELING NAILERS 1Quinney (Wydo, Carrier)Carr- 24/27 (1 en)

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers played a three-game series on home ice against the Idaho Steelheads. The week got off to a great start on Wednesday night, as the Nailers earned their 19th home victory of the campaign. Tyler Currier opened the scoring with a one-timer from the right side of the slot, before Idaho pulled even with a goal during a four-minute power play. The lead was regained, courtesy of Cody Wydo's power play goal, and Wheeling never looked back. Daniel Leavens extended the advantage in the third period, and Currier tossed in an empty netter for his second of the night, closing the books on a 4-1 victory. On Friday night, the Nailers rallied back from a couple of deficits to create a 2-2 deadlock in the third period. Kale Kerbashian drove in the first tying goal, before a Garrett Meurs slapper accounted for equalizer number two. However, a breakaway marker by Anthony Luciani with 7:31 left was the difference in a 3-2 Steelheads win. On Saturday night, Gage Quinney lit the lamp in the third period to match a tally by Idaho's Will Merchant in the opening minute of the second. Once again, the Steelheads came alive late, scoring three times in the final 5:56 for a 4-1 result in their favor.

With their 1-2-0 record last week, the Nailers are now seven points back of fourth place in the North Division, with five games remaining in the regular season. In Wednesday's win, Daniel Leavens became the second Nailer in two weeks to score a goal in his professional debut. Prior to that, Tyler Currier and Cody Wydo found the back of the net, giving them both seven-game point streaks, which were the longest for the club in 2016-17. In addition to being his team-leading 29th goal of the year, the power play marker was Wydo's 15th, which leads the ECHL. Kale Kerbashian had a goal and an assist on Friday, as he picked up at least one point in each of the first six games he played with Wheeling, following a trade from Allen. The Nailers have been awarded 313 power play opportunities this season, as they lead the league in that category. Orlando is the only other team that has eclipsed 300. Wheeling finished the season with a 4-4-0 mark against the Mountain Division, and has now completed 13 of its 16 season series (5-6-2).

This Week

Fri. 3/31 Brampton Beast @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35Sun. 4/2 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 5:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play two crucial home games, with both taking place against North Division opponents. On Friday night, the Nailers will host the Brampton Beast, who are on the verge of reaching the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time in their three-year ECHL history. Brampton is currently in second place in the North Division, trailing the Adirondack Thunder by one point for the top spot. Last week, the Beast were swept in a three-game home series against the Orlando Solar Bears, who posted a perfect 6-0-0 record against the team who plays in its NHL affiliate's home province. That left Brampton three points away from being able to lock down the playoff berth. The season series between the Nailers and Beast is 5-4 in Brampton's favor, which includes a 3-1-0 mark for the Beast at Powerade Centre. On Sunday afternoon, the Nailers will challenge the Reading Royals for the final time this season. Reading is tied with Manchester for third place in the North Division, leading Wheeling by seven points. Last weekend, the Royals earned three out of four possible points in two home contests against Adirondack, as both matches went past regulation. The season series between Wheeling and Reading is 4-2 for the Royals, who came back to win in overtime the last time they were in town, on February 4th.

Upcoming Home Games/PromotionsFri. 3/31- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands, Frosty FridaySun. 4/2- Family Funday, McDonald's $6 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate with the Team, Pups & Pucks NightFri. 4/7- Fan Appreciation Night - Prizes Throughout the Game, Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands, Frosty Friday

Nailers LeadersGoals: 29, Cody WydoAssists: 44, Kevin SchulzePoints: 56, Kevin SchulzePenalty Minutes: 115, Garrett MeursPlus/Minus: +23, Christian HilbrichWins: 16, Doug CarrGoals Against Average: 3.16, Sean MaguireSave Percentage: .898, Sean MaguireShutouts: 2, Sean Maguire

March to the Playoffs1. Adirondack Thunder- 81 points, 6 games remaining. This Week: 3/28 vs. ORL, 3/31 vs. ELM, 4/1 vs. NOR2. Brampton Beast- 80 points, 6 games remaining. This Week: 3/29 at CIN, 3/31 at WHL, 4/1 at REA3. Reading Royals- 79 points, 6 games remaining. This Week: 3/31 vs. NOR, 4/1 vs. BRM, 4/2 at WHL4. Manchester Monarchs- 79 points, 5 games remaining. This Week: 4/1 vs. ELM, 4/2 vs. ELM5. WHEELING NAILERS- 72 points, 5 games remaining. This Week: 3/31 vs. BRM, 4/2 vs. REA