If you listened to the Wheeling Nailers two games last weekend, you heard another new voice behind the microphone.

Ashley Scharge, a native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada who grew up in New York, is still getting acclimated to the Ohio Valley as he only arrived in the ‘Friendly City’ Thursday, less than 24 hours before the Nailers opened the 2008-09 ECHL season at WesBanco Arena.

However, Scharge is not stranger to Nailers hockey, or Wheeling.

It seems that he was in town during the 1992-93 season when good friend Joel Stern was broadcasting games.

“I was like his glorified intern,”?Scharge said Tuesday afternoon during the team’s weekly press conference at River City Ale Works.

Scharge takes over for Brendan Burke who recently accepted the same position with the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.

“I’m pretty connected with hockey,”?Scharge explained on how he found out about the open position. “I knew that Brendan was leaving for Peoria, so I knew the job would be open.”

And he is no stranger to hockey, having worked for various outlets in New York, along with broadcasting Northern Michigan University games.

“I worked most recently for XM?Satellite radio for Hockey Channel 204,” he said. “I mainly covered the New York Islanders, Rangers and New Jersey Devils.”

His resume of the ice sport is pretty impressive as he has covered 13 Stanley Cup Finals, including last year; 13 NHL?All-Star Games; and 18 NHL?Drafts.

He has also worked for the Sporting News Radio Network.

“I’m excited about being back in Wheeling,” he offered. “I like the small town atmosphere. The people are great, we have a great team and the (team owners) Brooks brothers (Jim and Rob) have been outstanding.

“I love the sport of hockey,” he continued. “In fact, I’m probably what you would call a fanatic about it.”

What else does he like about Wheeling?

“I like working with Brock Woods,” he admitted. “He’s helped me out a lot in just the one game.”

Big Weekend on Tap

Don’t look now, but the Nailers are off to their best start (2-0) in five years.

And the local fans will have three chances to see the team this weekend as they play a trio of home games against Cincinnati (Friday) and Trenton (Saturday and Sunday).

Pink in the Rink will take over WesBanco Arena as the Nailers will don specially-made pink jerseys in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness week.

According to Scharge, $1 from every ticket sold this weekend will benefit local cancer patients in the Ohio Valley.

The jerseys will be worn all three nights, with fans having a chance to bid on them in an auction following Saturday night’s contest. They will be available after Sunday’s 1:35 matinee game, and the player will also be available for pictures and autographs.

Brown Recalled to Baby Pens

Head Coach Greg Puhalski announced that goaltender David Brown has been recalled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Brown, 23, a native of Stoney Creek, ONT, recorded 33 saves in a 4-2 victory against the Johnstown Chiefs last Saturday in Johnstown. In 2007-08, Brown was 6-6-1 in 13 games for the Wheeling Nailers.

According to Puhalski, he will be checking the waiver wire to see if anyone is available, but until then, equipment manager Billy Higgins, another Wheeling native, will serve as the backup goalie.

Ice Girls Tryouts

The Nailers are looking to assemble the team’s first-ever ‘ICE GIRLS’ promotional team presented by Roadworthy Restaurant and Tavern, to entertain the crowds of thousands during Saturday night home games this season.

Applications are now being accepted for all potential candidates via online registration.

ICE GIRLS will…

Attend all Saturday night home games

Participate in promotions during intermissions (throwing t-shirts, leading cheers, participate in the Chicken Dance/YMCA, etc…)

`Lead in crowd cheers and promotions throughout the game.

Represent the Wheeling Nailers by attending community and promotional appearances.

Help with promotional item giveaways

ICE GIRLS will receive compensation per game performed as well as Wheeling Nailers tickets.

NAIL?POINTS

• The Nailers best start prior to this season was in 2003-04 when they started 2-1 after three games and 4-1 after five.

• Wheeling is second in the league in scoring with an average of 5.5 goals in its two games. Tommy Goebel and Rob Sirianni lead the team with four points each, with Sirianni’s all coming on assists. Nick Johnson leads the team with a trio of goals.

• Andrew Lord has received a mandatory one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of Saturday’s game in Johnstown. However, Puhalski praised Lord for his actions.

“He did the right thing,”?the coach said. “He stuck up for a teammate and you can’t fault that.”

Lord will miss Friday’s game.

• On the injury front, Puhalski revealed the veteran Kelly Miller has been placed on the 30-day injured-reserve list with what he described as a “minor” injury. Miller will join Puhalski behind the bench during home games to aid the head coach.

“Kelly was actually our stick boy when I played in Toledo,”?Puhalski recalled. “Since then I’ve coached him at three different places.”

Forward Matt Grennier was put on the 3-day IR with a hip flexor problem, while defenseman Todd Spencer is sidelined with a knee injury. He is on the 7-day IR. Another defenseman, Chris Snavely, is out indefinitely following off-season surgery for a sports hernia.

Tobias Holm, who played in Wheeling 10 years ago, and Nathan Barrett are awaiting immigration paperwork. They have been added to the roster and should see action this week.

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com