It’s been quite a week for The Wheeling Nailers.
They not only clinched a spot in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs, but goaltender Taylor Gauthier was announced as the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for March 24-30.
If that wasn’t enough, head coach Derek Army put himself in the Wheeling hockey history books. Army earned his 148th win Saturday, passing Clark Donatelli for the most in Wheeling history.
The 24-year-old Gauthier was nearly perfect for the Nailers last weekend, as he turned away 42 of the 43 shots he faced to earn two key victories over the Cincinnati Cyclones.
On Friday, Gauthier denied all 18 Cincinnati attempts in a 2-0 victory, earning his second shutout of the season and seventh of his Wheeling career. That moves him into a tie for third on the team's all-time list.
The netminder's shutout streak dating back to the second period of the previous Sunday lasted for 122:54 before the Cyclones eventually solved him for their only goal of the weekend series. Gauthier made 24 saves on 25 shots in Saturday's 4-1 triumph, when Army set the team record for wins by a head coach.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Gauthier is enjoying another elite season between the pipes for Wheeling in his third year as a pro.
After being named ECHL Goaltender of the Year last season, Gauthier has seen his goals against average and save percentage numbers get even better. He is currently 15-10-2 with a 2.06 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. The .928 save percentage is the second best in the ECHL, while his 2.06 goals against average ranks fourth in the league.
Gauthier could also be in the running for ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March, thanks to a 1.18 goals against average and .957 save percentage - both were the best among goaltenders with at least five starts.
This is the fifth time in his career that Gauthier has been named ECHL Goaltender of the Week, which establishes a new record for Wheeling in weekly league honors. He was previously tied at four with fellow goaltender Peter Delmas.
Gauthier is also the fourth Nailer this season to earn a league award, as he joins Jack Beck (Player of the Week; Dec. 23-29), Mats Lindgren (Player of the Month; Nov.), and Sergei Murashov (Rookie of the Month; Nov.).
On Sunday, the Nailers clinched their spot in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs with an exclamation point. Wheeling posted a 3-2 victory over the Bloomington Bison.
Goaltender Thomas Gale was terrific in his professional debut for the Nailers, as he earned the win by denying 32 of the 34 shots he faced. Dryden McKay made 28 saves on 31 shots for the Bison and suffered the loss.
The Nailers will have another weekend full of home games ahead of them, as the Reading Royals will come to town for games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.