Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, Mar. 5

Last Week

Wed. 2/28 WHEELING NAILERS 6 @ Manchester Monarchs 3Fick (Army)Tiffels (unassisted)Josephs (Sorkin, Wydo)Basara (Bourbonnais, Francis)McMullan (Basara, Francis)Wydo (Valente, Gardiner)Stevens- 24/27

Fri. 3/2 WHEELING NAILERS 0 @ Worcester Railers 5O'Connor- 30/35

Sat. 3/3 WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Worcester Railers 3 (shootout)Bourbonnais (Tedesco, Schmit)Tiffels (Schmit, Bourbonnais)O'Connor- 30/32SO: Gardiner- N, Francis- Y, Wydo- N, O'Connor- 1/3

Last week, the Wheeling Nailers played the back half of their six-game road trip, and skated away with three different results - a win, a regulation loss, and a shootout defeat. The first game of the week was the victory, which came against the division leading Manchester Monarchs on Wednesday night. Both offenses came out roaring, as the Nailers built a 3-2 lead in the first period on goals by Danny Fick, Freddie Tiffels, and Troy Josephs. Marcus Basara put the visitors ahead for good in the middle frame, before Ross McMullan and Cody Wydo tacked on insurance markers for a 6-3 final score. Colin Stevens made 24 saves to beat his former squad. The regulation loss took place on Friday night, as Wheeling ran into Mitch Gillam, who turned in a 30-save shutout for the Worcester Railers, as part of a 5-0 result. On Saturday night, the Nailers and Railers played a back-and-forth tilt, resulting in a 2-2 deadlock at the end of the third period. The Wheeling goal scorers that night were Riley Bourbonnais and Tiffels. The Nailers secured one point by going past regulation, but unfortunately, the second point went Worcester's way, as Tommy Kelley delivered the winning goal in round three of the shootout.

The Nailers posted a 1-2-3 mark on their six-game road trip, bringing their road record on the season to 13-13-5. With Wednesday's win, Wheeling earned its 2,000th standings point in team history, becoming the second team ever to reach that plateau in the ECHL. Wednesday's win was also the first for the Nailers at SNHU Arena, giving them victories in all 19 active road buildings that they've visited, and in 45 different opposing arenas all-time. Ayrton Valente made his professional debut against the Monarchs, dishing out an assist on Cody Wydo's insurance tally. Riley Bourbonnais became the second Wheeling player this season to record a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal, assist, fight), doing so in Saturday's contest. Saturday was also just the second shootout of the season that the Nailers have been involved in - tied for the fewest in the league. Both shootouts have taken place against the Railers.

This Week

Wed. 3/7 Worcester Railers @ WHEELING NAILERS, 10:45 a.m.Thu. 3/8 ECHL Trade Deadline, 3:00Fri. 3/9 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:05Sat. 3/10 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:05

This week, the Wheeling Nailers will play three humongous games against two divisional opponents, as the chase for the Kelly Cup Playoffs heats up in its final month. On Wednesday morning, all fans are invited to attend the game for free, as the Nailers seek revenge against the Worcester Railers. Wheeling will take aim at its third morning victory of the season, after winning 6-4 against Adirondack on November 14th and 6-5 at Orlando on February 11th. The Nailers and Railers have split the first six games of their season series, with both sides winning twice in regulation and once in a shootout. Wheeling has a six-point lead over Worcester for fourth place in the North Division. On Friday and Saturday, the Nailers will play host to the Reading Royals, who currently hold a three-point advantage for third place in the North Division. Wheeling and Reading will complete their 11-game set, with the Royals already having clinched the upper hand, collecting six wins in the first nine matches. The Nailers have gone 1-1-2 to start their 11-game run against divisional opponents. The ECHL Trade Deadline is also on the docket this week, taking place on Thursday at 3:00.

Upcoming Home Games/PromotionsWed. Mar. 7- Education Day Game #2 (10:45 a.m. start), Free Tickets for All FansFri. Mar. 9- Ladies Night, Pregame Wine Tasting Event, Frosty FridaySat. Mar. 10- Pittsburgh Penguins Night, See the Stanley Cup, Carter Rowney Bobblehead Giveaway (first 2,500 fans), Nailers Wear Special JerseysFri. Mar. 23- Can Koozie Giveaway (first 2,000 fans), Frosty FridaySat. Mar. 24- Charity Night for WVU Children's Hospital

Nailers LeadersGoals: 26, Reid GardinerAssists: 40, Nick SorkinPoints: 52, Cody WydoPenalty Minutes: 112, Dan MilanPlus/Minus: +15, Riley BourbonnaisWins: 12, Adam MorrisonGoals Against Average: 3.20, Adam MorrisonSave Percentage: .904, Adam MorrisonShutouts: 0

North Division Standings1. Manchester Monarchs 34-20-3-2, 73 pts.2. Adirondack Thunder 33-20-3-3, 72 pts.3. Reading Royals 31-21-6-0, 68 pts.4. WHEELING NAILERS 29-23-6-1, 65 pts.5. Worcester Railers 26-24-4-3, 59 pts.6. Brampton Beast 22-26-6-4, 54 pts.