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Nailers react to canceled ECHL season

Photo/JOE LOVELL WHEELING NAILERS players celebrate a goal during a game earlier this month. It was one of the last times the team celebrated because its season was canceled by the ECHL because of concerns with the coronavirus pandemic

WHEELING — WesBanco Arena sat empty over the weekend.

The Wheeling Nailers were scheduled to play three divisional games against first-place Cincinnati, Indy and Toledo.

Instead, Nailers players cleaned out their lockers and packed their bags to go home after the 2020 ECHL season was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

On Thursday, crews began the process of removing the ice from inside WesBanco Arena.

“When it happens to everyone around the world and our country, it eliminates options,” Nailers’ coach Mike Bavis said. “I saw a good quote. ‘We won’t know if we under-reacted or over-reacted for awhile, but it will be obvious if we under-reacted.’

“In sports, we’re all doing the same thing. We’re all hoping for the best and hoping the spread of this is minimized so it can all get back to normal.”

With the self-distancing policy in effect, the last day in the locker room was brief and unlike any other final day of the season.

“We had to take all the same medical precautions, distancing and so-on,” Bavis said. “There was both disappointment in the season ending abruptly and the difficult stretch we had leading up to this.”

Looking back on the numbers of the 2020 season, it was Cam Brown leading the way for the Wheeling offense. Brown earned his first selection to the ECHL All-Star Game and finished leading the Nailers in goals (18), assists (23) and points (41).

Goalie Alex D’Orio had a breakthrough season for Bavis as he led the team in wins with 12, while playing in 31 games between the pipes.

Jordan Ruby paced the team with a .910 save percentage in 18 contests, while Emil Larmi burst on the scene, earned a brief trip to the NHL and collected the Nailers’ only shutout of the campaign.

Now, those players will look to not only continue their success into next season but they will have to find ways to stay sharp during the extended offseason.

“It’s hard to replicate the kinds of conditioning like skating muscles and the component of doing that in tight spaces against strong upper-bodies,” Bavis said. “There is nothing like getting on the ice and getting into game-shape.

“It’s hard under the circumstances but these guys have bikes at the house and workouts at home. But, it’s asking a lot. These are difficult circumstances to sharpen your game.”

Along with the players, Nailers’ fans and sports fans alike are all suffering from the loss of excitement and hope that sports brings to their daily lives.

“I just want to thank our fans for their tremendous support,” Bavis said. “Players feel so welcome in the community. They love to participate in schools or doing charitable events.

“Wheeling means a lot to these guys and they know how much our fans love hockey here.”

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