Nailers vs. Cyclones Game Day Snap Shot

WHEELING NAILERS(4-1-1-0, 9 PTS, T-1st North, T-2nd East)27 GF, 24 GAPP: 33.3% (11-for-33), 1stPK: 65.4% (17-for-26), 27th

8-F-Nick Sorkin (2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points in 6 games)21-F-Cam Brown (1 goal, 8 assists, 9 points in 6 games)24-F-Reid Gardiner (5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points in 6 games)23-F-Garrett Meurs (5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points in 6 games)11-F-Cody Wydo (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points in 6 games)26-D-Kevin Schulze (4 assists, 4 points in 6 games)31-G-Sean Maguire (2-1-0 record, 4.67 GAA, .896 Sv% in 3 games)

CINCINNATI CYCLONES(2-2-1-0, 5 PTS, T-5th Central, T-11th West)14 GF, 17 GAPP: 15.4% (4-for-26), 13thPK: 82.4% (14-for-17), T-15th

16-F-Shawn O'Donnell (3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points in 4 games)12-F-Jesse Schultz (1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points in 5 games)5-D-Eric Knodel (1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points in 5 games)24-F-Justin Danforth (2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points in 5 games)85-F-Daniel Muzito-Bagenda (1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points in 5 games)6-D-Arvin Atwal (3 assists, 3 points in 5 games)30-G-Anthony Peters (2-2-1 record, 3.26 GAA, .901 Sv% in 5 games)

Head to HeadSeason Series: Nailers 1, Cyclones 0Season Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 1, Cyclones 0All-Time Series: Nailers 61, Cyclones 59All-Time Series at WesBanco Arena: Nailers 33, Cyclones 26

Less Than Four Minutes from Keeping the ZeroThe Wheeling Nailers have gotten off to a strong start in the 2017-18 season, as they posted a 4-1-1 record in October, putting them in a tie at the top of the North Division. Wheeling nearly skated out of the month without a regulation loss, if not for a late surge by the Brampton Beast on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless first period, the Nailers grabbed a 3-1 advantage in the second period, as Kenny Ryan potted a pair of goals, and Reid Gardiner found the back of the net for the fourth consecutive contest. Brampton rallied to take its first lead of the two-game weekend set in the third period, before Cody Wydo converted with a power play goal, bring the score even, 4-4. Unfortunately, with 3:18 remaining in the tilt, the Beast went ahead for good, courtesy of Kevin Dufour's second of the day.

Cyclones Played Streak StoppersThe Cincinnati Cyclones gave another team in the ECHL their first regulation loss, as they stormed back to knock off the Kalamazoo Wings on Wednesday night at Wings Event Center. Cincinnati fell behind 2-0 in the first period, before starting to claw back with a goal from Andrew Radjenovic in the middle frame. Before the third period was five minutes old, the Cyclones found themselves in the lead, as Daniel Muzito-Bagenda and Brandon McNally both connected for their first goals of the season. Kalamazoo briefly evened the contest at three, before veteran forward Jesse Schultz rose to the occasion with 7:58 left, lifting Cincinnati into the win column. Both teams racked up over 40 shots on goal, and Anthony Peters earned the victory between the pipes, making 37 saves.

Big Numbers, Minimal WhammiesStatistical categories have been filling up quickly for the Nailers in their first six games of the season. Offensively, there are four players who have scored at least four goals, and five who have recorded at least eight points. From a team and games perspective, Wheeling's 4.50 goals for per game average ranks third in the ECHL, which is the same ranking for its 8.50 total goals per game average. With high goal totals come high shot totals, and the Nailers hold the familiar third place position in shots for per game, averaging 38.67. The opposition is taking an average of 40.33 shots per game, creating a nightly average of 79 shots overall. Special teams have also played a large part in the high offensive totals, as Wheeling is tied for the league lead with 11 power play goals scored, while opposing clubs have found the back of the net nine times on the man advantage.

His Only Break Came Here... LiterallyThree goaltenders in the ECHL have received the decision in all of their team's games thus far this season - Cincinnati's Anthony Peters (2-2-1), Jacksonville's Jamie Phillips (0-2-1), and South Carolina's Jeff Jakaitis (4-0-0). Phillips and Jakaitis have played in every minute of every game, while Peters has played in all but 6:36. On October 21st, Derek Army scored to break a 2-2 tie in the third period, and on the play, Peters had an issue with his equipment, forcing him to leave the game, with Jason Kasdorf taking over. Both of Wheeling's goaltenders from the opening roster have started and gone the distance in three games, with Sean Maguire going 2-1-0 and Colin Stevens posting a 2-0-1 mark. Stevens is currently playing with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, meaning Maguire is likely to play both games this weekend. Maguire started on back-to-back nights three times last season, going 2-1-0 in the first game and 2-0-1 in the second game.

Funny Seeing You Here AgainFriday night marks the second of six head-to-head meetings between the Nailers and Cyclones this season, as well as the second of four battles at WesBanco Arena. Wheeling fans have gotten their fill of the Cyclones in the early goings of the 2017-18 campaign, as Cincinnati came to town for both exhibition contests, and now for each of the first two games of the regular season. So far, this has been positive news for the Nailers, who have emerged victorious in all three matches, winning 5-4 both times in the preseason, then 4-2 in the home opener. Friday's game could be a fun one for Wheeling's newest player, defenseman Jaynen Rissling, who was acquired in a trade with the Allen Americans earlier this week. Rissling spent three seasons with the Cyclones, and even scored an overtime goal against the Nailers last year. Former Cincinnati forward Kenny Ryan scored against his former team during the last clash. Wheeling will make its first visit to the Queen City on November 24th, while the Cyclones will get a break from West Virginia, as their next visit will take place on February 17th.