Nailers at Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(10-3-2-0, 22 PTS, 1st North, T-2nd East)64 GF, 53 GAPP: 27.8% (22-for-79), 1stPK: 75.6% (59-for-78), 25th

24-F-Reid Gardiner (11 goals, 8 assists, 19 points in 15 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (10 goals, 9 assists, 19 points in 14 games)8-F-Nick Sorkin (3 goals, 14 assists, 17 points in 15 games)21-F-Cam Brown (2 goals, 15 assists, 17 points in 15 games)16-F-Derek Army (5 goals, 10 assists, 15 points in 15 games)25-D-Jeff Taylor (2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points in 7 games)31-G-Sean Maguire (7-2-0 record, 3.54 GAA, .906 Sv% in 10 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES(8-5-1-0, 17 PTS, 3rd Central, T-7th West)38 GF, 37 GAPP: 15.0% (9-for-60), T-19thPK: 72.5% (37-for-51), 27th

16-F-Shawn O'Donnell (6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 13 games)24-F-Justin Danforth (7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points in 14 games)12-F-Jesse Schultz (4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points in 14 games)74-F-Brandon McNally (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 14 games)41-F-Dominic Zombo (1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points in 14 games)27-D-Brycen Martin (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points in 13 games)30-G-Anthony Peters (6-4-1 record, 2.38 GAA, .924 Sv% in 11 games)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Nailers 1, Cyclones 12016-17 Season Series at US Bank Arena: Cyclones 2, Nailers 0All-Time Series: Nailers 61, Cyclones 60All-Time Series at US Bank Arena: Cyclones 33, Nailers 28

A Thrilling Win to CelebrateThe Wheeling Nailers earned their 500th win at WesBanco Arena on Wednesday night, and when the game ended, the fans jumped off of the edges of their seats to celebrate the performance of their home team. The Nailers had a 2-1 lead in the first period, thanks to goals by Garrett Meurs and Jeff Taylor, before the Worcester Railers pulled even in the middle frame. The two sides exchanged tallies in the third period, with Riley Bourbonnais lighting the lamp for Wheeling. The game progressed to overtime, where the Nailers put forth an amazing effort, killing off 4:22 of Worcester power play time. The 3-3 deadlock then advanced to a shootout. The deciding goal was scored by Hunter Fejes in round four for Wheeling, and Sean Maguire preserved the triumph, making a save on Wade Murphy, as the Nailers snagged their tenth win of the season, while improving to 3-1-1 against the North Division.

The One and OnlyThe Cincinnati Cyclones were involved in one of the tightest defensive games of the season on Wednesday night, as they beat the Toledo Walleye for the first time in three tries this season, winning 1-0 at US Bank Arena. Cincinnati had a goal waved off in the first period due to goaltender interference, but with 3:56 remaining in the middle stanza, the Cyclones lit the lamp and it counted. Justin Danforth let a wrist shot go from the left side of the slot, beating Matej Machovsky on his blocker side. Opportunities were extremely difficult to come by for both squads, as Toledo recorded 18 shots, while Cincinnati took 17 attempts. Anthony Peters made all 18 saves to backstop his first shutout of the season, while picking up his 11th decision in 14 team games. The Cyclones have a 1-1 record in 1-0 games this season.

Clutch Penalty KillingIn lots of games, clutch plays are often looked at as big goals or big saves, but on Wednesday night, Wheeling's penalty kill took home the honors, thanks to a memorable performance in overtime. The Nailers were whistled for having too many men on the ice at the 38-second mark of the extra session, and a major penalty was called at the 2:02 mark, putting Wheeling shorthanded for 4:22 of the five-minute overtime period, including 36 seconds of a two-man advantage for the visiting Railers. Not only were the Nailers successful in killing the penalties to force a shootout, which they eventually won, but they also limited Worcester to just two shots on goal, while recording one of their own. Additionally, Wheeling blocked six shots, with five of the blocks being made by Zach Tolkinen, who earned the game's second star.

A Rare Trip to the ShootoutThe ECHL adopted 3-on-3 for its five-minute overtime period at the start of the 2015-16 season, and since then, shootouts have been few and far between for the Nailers. 24 of 30 games that have gone past regulation have been decided during the overtime session, including 13 in a row and 18 of 19 prior to Friday night. Wheeling's last shootout before Friday took place over a year ago, as the Nailers won in six rounds against the Kalamazoo Wings on October 28, 2016. Wheeling is now 3-2 when playing bonus hockey this season, with the five appearances in overtime ranking tied for third most in the ECHL, behind Utah (8) and Tulsa (6). The Nailers got their shootout goals from Garrett Meurs and Hunter Fejes, while Cam Brown and Reid Gardiner also had attempts. Sean Maguire stopped three of four shots in his first ECHL shootout and second of his professional career.

Their Turn to Open the DoorsFriday afternoon marks the third of six head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the first of two battles at US Bank Arena. The home fans in Cincinnati will finally get the opportunity to see Wheeling in person, following two preseason games and two regular season matches at WesBanco Arena. The Nailers swept the preseason set, and have gone 1-0-1 in the first two tilts of the regular season, winning the home opener 4-2 on October 21st, before taking a 4-3 overtime loss on November 3rd. Cam Brown leads the way with five points in the two games for Wheeling, while Derek Army, Reid Gardiner, and Kenny Ryan have each found the back of the net twice against the Cyclones thus far. Justin Danforth is the top scorer for Cincinnati, with three points. 11 of the last 14 games between Wheeling and Cincinnati have been decided by one goal. The Nailers will visit the Queen City for the final time in 2017-18 on January 6th.