News release
16 February 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012Cincinnati, Ohio - Nick Schaus' first goal with the Elmira Jackals (29-17-2-2) with 2:38 left in regulation broke a tie game and propelled the club to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones (22-18-1-6) on Thursday night at U.S. Bank Arena. With the win, Elmira took over first place in the Atlantic Division by one point over the Wheeling Nailers.
Despite five opportunities on the power play in the opening period to its opponent's one, Elmira entered the first intermission tied with Cincinnati. Garrett Wilson rolled a loose puck in from the right goal line at 15:14 to put Cincinnati on the board, 1-0. Just 43 seconds later, though, Artem Demkov drove in a puck from the slot off a blocked shot from Corey Cowick, tying the game up, 1-1.
The Jackals and Cyclones traded chances in the second and third periods to break the tie, but neither team could break through until late. It was Schaus who was able to snap the deadlock and put Elmira in front for the first time. The second-year pro took the puck at his blue line, stickhanded into the offensive end, and set up Dustin Gazley in the right circle. Gazley centered the puck toward the net, and Schaus tipped it in at 17:22 to give the Jackals the 2-1 lead.
Gazley added an empty netter with a minute left as Elmira won, 3-1.
Brian Stewart (29-17-2-2) made 24 saves, including 21-straight stops to close out the game. Brian Foster (8-3-0-1) turned back 28 of Elmira's 30 bids.
The Jackals and the Nailers battle for first place on Friday night in Johnstown, Pa. at War Memorial Arena. Elmira returns home on Saturday to host Trenton at First Arena. com.
With a goal and two assists, Gazley extended his point streak to seven games (5g-6a).Demkov's goal lengthened his point streak to five games (2g-3a).The loss was the fifth in regulation for Cincinnati on home ice this season. The Jackals have won consecutive games for the first time since they won three-straight from Jan. 15 - 21. Elmira earned its 15th win all-time in 28 regular-season meetings with Cincinnati