Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report, Nov. 5

Last WeekSaturday, November 3rd: Indy Fuel 5 @ WHEELING NAILERS 3After three straight weeks on the road, the Wheeling Nailers played their first home game of the season on Saturday night, as 4,800 fans welcomed their team to WesBanco Arena. The first period was an exciting one for the Nailers, as Troy Josephs and Zac Lynch gave the home team a 2-0 lead, and Brad Drobot threw down the mitts with Anthony Collins. Unfortunately, the middle stanza went the other way, as the Indy Fuel scored five straight goals in a span of 9:30, claiming a 5-2 advantage. Josephs responded by netting his second of the night on the power play, but Wheeling was unable to claw any closer, falling, 5-3. Kevin Lankinen made 26 saves in the win for Indy.

This WeekWednesday, November 7th, 7:35 p.m.: WHEELING NAILERS @ Cincinnati CyclonesWednesday night will be Wheeling's second straight game against a Central Division team, as the Nailers renew acquaintances with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Cincinnati took the opening match of the eight-game season set, 4-1 on October 20th. Since then, the Cyclones have earned points in all but one game, going 3-1-2, as they currently sit in second place. Last weekend, Cincinnati picked up 7-1 and 6-3 victories against Kalamazoo and Brampton respectively, while dropping a 6-1 decision to the Beast. Brady Vail and Jesse Schultz both have nine points to lead the team in scoring, while Michael Houser (3-0-1) and Jonas Johansson (2-2-1) have shared the work in goal.

Friday, November 9th, 7:05 p.m. & Saturday November 10th, 7:05 p.m.: Greenville Swamp Rabbits @ WHEELING NAILERSThe final two games of the week will be played at home, as the Nailers welcome the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to WesBanco Arena for a two-game weekend series. Last year, Wheeling opened the season in Greenville, winning back-to-back one-goal clashes against the Swamp Rabbits, 5-4 and 7-6. The latter contest featured a four-goal night for Hunter Fejes and an overtime winning strike by Garrett Meurs. After finishing with the lowest point total in the Eastern Conference last season, Greenville finds itself in the basement of the South Division, going 3-6-1 in its first ten games. Last weekend, the Swamp Rabbits split a two-game set at home against Orlando, winning the opener 3-2 in overtime, before being blanked 4-0 the following night. Johno May and Austen Brassard have 11 points each to lead the team, while Garrett Bartus (3-4-1) has faced the majority of the action between the pipes. Greenville also has a former Nailer in defenseman Jake Bolton, who began the 2017-18 campaign in Wheeling.

Notes- The home opener has drawn crowds over 4,500 in five consecutive seasons.- Saturday night's defeat was Wheeling's first in regulation in a home opener since 2010, ending a seven-year point streak (6-0-1).- Troy Josephs has accumulated three goals and four points in three games since joining the club on October 27th.- The Nailers have killed off 16 of the last 17 opposition power plays.- Greenville is one of two ECHL teams (Rapid City) without an NHL or AHL affiliate this season.- Wheeling's five games played remain the fewest in the ECHL, with all other teams having played at least seven.

Central Division Standings1. Toledo Walleye 7-1-1-0, 15 pts.2. Cincinnati Cyclones 5-2-2-0, 12 pts.3. Indy Fuel 5-4-0-0, 10 pts.4. Kalamazoo Wings 4-4-0-1, 9 pts.5. Fort Wayne Komets 3-5-0-0, 6 pts.6. WHEELING NAILERS 1-4-0-0, 2 pts.

Team LeadersGoals: Troy Josephs- 3Assists: Zac Lynch- 4Points: Zac Lynch- 6Penalty Minutes: Cedric Lacroix- 26Plus/Minus: Alex Rauter & Aaron Titcomb- +1Wins: John Muse- 1Goals Against Average: John Muse- 3.62Save Percentage: John Muse- .883

Next Big Promotional NightsWednesday, November 21st- Marvel Super Hero Night - Special Jerseys, $2 BeersSaturday, December 15th- NailerMania - Wrestling Legend, Teddy Bear Toss, Wear Your Ugly SweaterFamily Four Packs are available for Marvel Super Hero Night and NailerMania. Fans can get four tickets, four hats, and four McDonald's meal vouchers for $60.

Next Five Home GamesFriday, 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.Saturday, November 24th vs. Toledo Walleye, 7:05 p.m.