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Hard to say how long Wheeling will have the services of Adam Henrich. His considerable skills are a cut above the average Joe Puckster toiling here in the East Coast League.
"It's easy to see why Adam was a second round (NHL) draft choice," said Nailers' co-president Rob Brooks, admiring the 23-year old's work Friday evening in Wesbanco Arena. "In my opinion, Adam's addition gives us the league's top line."
There is no question Henrich and linemates Sean Collins and Ned Havern are destined to compile mega-points so long as they remain in the same lockerroom this winter.
Friday night, Henrich recorded his second professional hat trick and first natural three-bagger, sparking a 6-2 Nailers' rout of Reading.
"Philadelphia (AHL) suggested Adam come down here and get some seasoning," Wheeling coach Glenn Patrick explained. "He's willing to do whatever it takes to enhance his skills and advance (to the next level). It goes without saying, we're thrilled to have him in Wheeling."
At 6-4, 225, Henrich is nearly impossible to move out of the crease area as witnessed seconds before the Thonhill, Ontario native registered his third goal off a sharp feed from Collins.
"Adam's really effective down low. He's a physical presence and has great scoring skills to go with it," said Collins who logged two assists in Friday's win.
Henrich was an impact player early-on. He was named MVP in the Greater Toronto Hockey League's Midget All-Star game as a bantam-age player. He scored 30 goals and generated 82 points that year in but 54 games.
Tampa Bay made him the 60th overall pick in the '02 entry draft, the same year he was named to Canada's Under-18 World Championship team that played overseas in Slovakia. Henrich was also a member of the victorious Team Williams in the 2002 CHL Top Prospects Game.
With Wheeling leading 2-1 Friday, Henrich connected for his fourth goal of the season, a power play tally, assisted by Havern and Collins. Just over five minutes later, Henrich converted an even strength goal set up by teammates Kyle Rank and Kevin Du.
For the coup-de-grace, Wheeling's top guns struck again at 12:55 with Henrich again celebrating another man-advantage score which, for all intents, iced the outcome.
"Only good things happen when (that line) is on the ice," Brooks smiled. "We'd like to think scoring will become contagious."
The Nailers were coming off an unimpressive 4-0 shutout loss two nights earlier at Cincinnati and obviously needed to rebound in a big way. Following Friday's outcome, Wheeling stands 4-3-1 and is 3-1-1 on home ice.
"It's imperative you play well at home in this league," Collins observed. "Winning (tonight) gives us an opportunity to earn four points this weekend."
LOOSE PUCKS
AMAZINGLY, Collins is goal-less through eight starts, though the Nailers' talented playmaker is among league leaders in assists with 11….Forward Kevin Du delivered his first goal of the season Friday and may have recorded two more only to be denied on a pair of third period breakaways…The Nailers improved their productive power play conversion percentage on home ice, netting two-of-five man-advantage opportunities Friday…
NAILERS' rookie goaltender David Brown evened his pro record at 2-2, turning aside 29 shots Friday evening….Wheeling, in turn, stopped Reading on all six of the Royals' power play chances…
THE NAILERS honored members of the military who received a rousing ovation prior to Friday's contest….
THERE was an unexpected delay between periods one and two when the Zamboni inadvertently ran over a t-shirt while making new ice. The machine was removed to correct the problem…
ONLY 2,300 showed up Friday, historically continual pattern during football season. Sunday evening (6:05), the Southern Division Augusta Lynx make their only Wheeling appearance…Augusta skates in Cincinnati this evening before bussing northeast to the valley…