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sacred_relic Indonesian Defacers 0wn3d you,.. : )
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Coach Glenn Patrick
| By WVSPN Staff
05/05/2006
The Wheeling Nailers completed one of the most successful seasons ever in 2005-06. |
The Nailers began the year with a new bench boss in Glenn Patrick who would lead Wheeling to the best seven game and ten game start in the organization’s history. Wheeling after falling on opening night would win the next six and eight of their first ten games. Wheeling never fell below third place in the North Division and spent the majority of the season in either the top spot or second place. The regular season came down to the final period with a chance to win the North Division but Wheeling came up a point short compiling a 45-21-6 record. Wheeling’s point total, 96, was the third most since the team moved to Wheeling in 1992-93. Wheeling eliminated Reading in four games in the North Division semi-finals to advance past the first round for the first time since 1998 also avenging a series loss to Reading in 2004. Wheeling battled Toledo in five hard fought North Division Final games before falling in Game 5 in Toledo. The trip to the Kelly Cup Playoffs was the third since 1998 and second in three seasons.
Little did anyone know that at the beginning of the season a goalie by the name of Andy Franck would have such a large impact. Franck, who left Mercyhurst before his senior season, joined the Nailers in training camp and won a spot on the roster. Franck would set single season marks for wins (33), appearances (58), minutes (3,214), saves (1378), and tie the mark for shutouts with 5. The 2.28 goals against average posted by the Lakewood, Ohio native was second best in the ECHL. Frank was honored with a spot on the ECHL All-Rookie team. He also found his name among the top three in balloting for ECHL Rookie of the Year, and ECHL Goalie of the Year.
Sometimes players in their first professional season have troubles adjusting to the next level but not in Wheeling. With Andy Franck working as a strong backstop in net the duo of Sean Collins and Kurtis McLean would keep ECHL scoreboard operators busy. Collins finished his college career at the University of New Hampshire as one of the most prolific scorers and the trend continued with the Nailers. Collins led Wheeling with 76 points in only 62 games. It was the first time a rookie held the top scoring spot since Zenon Konopka in 2002-03. The Reading, Massachusetts native was named to the ECHL All-Star team, ECHL All-Rookie team, and played eight games in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). Collins continued his torrid regular season pace in the playoffs chipping in a team high 16 points.
Kurtis McLean joined the Nailers as a relatively unknown scoring powerhouse out of Division III Norwich University. McLean racked up 212 points in 115 games at the collegiate level and didn’t stop in his first full professional season. McLean’s hot start led to a spot on the ECHL All-Star team and an eventual call-up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton where he would play 32 games. In his brief 41 games in Wheeling, McLean posted a team high 31 goals along with 56 points.
The Nailers were captained this season by third year Nailer, Brendon Hodge. Hodge had his best season offensively with 68 points and has accumulated 58 career goals as a Nailer. Hodge also got some revenge winning a playoff series against Reading after being apart of the 2004 squad with Alex Rouleau that fell in the playoffs to the Royals.
There was a host of players that set career individual marks. Defenseman Luis Tremblay scored 14 goals eclipsing the 2 he tallied last year in Bakersfield. Tremblay’s total was among the best for ECHL defenseman. Forward Jordan Cameron was one of five Nailers to score 20 or more goals with his career high 25. Fellow Alberta native Eric Sonnenberg racked up 18 goals including his first professional hat trick on January 20th in Reading. Rookie forward Bo Cheesman would explode on the scene with 20 goals and 46 points. The Peoria, Illinois resident also got his first call-up to the AHL with Binghamton playing in one game. Arpad Mihaly began the year in Wheeling then was re-assigned to the Nailer |
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