Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, Oct. 22

Last WeekSaturday, October 20th: WHEELING NAILERS 1 @ Cincinnati Cyclones 4The Wheeling Nailers played their first divisional game of the 2018-19 campaign on Saturday night, when they visited the Cincinnati Cyclones at U.S. Bank Arena. Zac Lynch got the game off to a good start for the Nailers, as he drove down the middle of the ice to tap in a feed from Cam Brown. However, Cincinnati answered, as Jordan Sims and Justin Vaive tallied later in the first period, putting the home team ahead, 2-1. Spencer Dorowicz and Eric Knodel tacked on insurance markers during the final stanza, and Michael Houser made 33 saves in the 4-1 Cyclones triumph.

This WeekSaturday, October 27th, 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, October 28th, 4:00 p.m.: WHEELING NAILERS @ Reading RoyalsThe Nailers and Royals may be in opposite conferences, but the rivalry will still be strong, as the teams will face each other eight times this season. This weekend, the rivalry will reach new heights from a historical perspective, as Sunday's 174th all-time meeting during regular season play will be the most for Wheeling against any opponent, surpassing the 173 games played against the Johnstown Chiefs. Reading has earned at least one point in all four of its games thus far, posting a 2-0-2 record. After splitting a two-game home set with Worcester, the Royals knocked off Maine, 6-4 on Friday, then dropped a 4-3 shootout decision in Manchester on Saturday. Former Nailer Dan Milan has one goal, two assists, and three points, while leading Reading with 15 penalty minutes and a +5 rating. Alex Krushelnyski leads the Royals with six points, while Branden Komm has been between the pipes for all four contests.

Notes- The Nailers are tied with the Jacksonville IceMen for the fewest games played thus far this season.- Eliot Grauer and Zac Lynch have both picked up at least one point in each of the first two games.- Cedric Lacroix has received a fighting major in both games to begin the season, and leads ECHL rookies with 18 penalty minutes.- Six players made their season debuts on Saturday, including Brad Drobot, Robbie Hall, and Yush Hirano, who all made their ECHL debuts.- Wheeling ranks second in the ECHL with 41 shots on goal per game.

Central Division Standings1. Indy Fuel 3-1-0-0, 4 pts.2. Cincinnati Cyclones 2-1-0-0, 4 pts.3. Kalamazoo Wings 2-1-0-0, 4 pts.4. Toledo Walleye 1-1-1-0, 3 pts.5. Fort Wayne Komets 1-3-0-0, 2 pts.6. WHEELING NAILERS 0-2-0-0, 0 pts.

Team LeadersGoals: Eliot Grauer- 2Assists: Renars Krastenbergs & Zac Lynch- 2Points: Eliot Grauer & Zac Lynch- 3Penalty Minutes: Cedric Lacroix- 18Plus/Minus: Aaron Titcomb- +1Goals Against Average: Matt O'Connor- 4.00Save Percentage: Matt O'Connor- .840

Next Big Promotional NightSaturday, November 3rd- Home Opener, Pregame Party, Concert by Logan Wojcik, Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Rally Towel GiveawayFamily Four Packs are available for the home opener. Fans can get 4 tickets, 4 hats, and 4 McDonald's Meal Vouchers for $60.

Next Five Home GamesSaturday, November 3rd vs. Indy Fuel, 7:05 p.m.Friday, November 9th vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 7:05 p.m.Saturday, November 10th vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 7:05 p.m.Tuesday, November 13th vs. Toledo Walleye, 10:45 a.m.Wednesday, November 21st vs. Reading Royals, 7:05 p.m.