News release
7 December 2014
ELMIRA, NY - December 7, 2014 - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, host the Wichita Thunder for the first ever meeting between these two teams.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (11-7-3) vs. Wichita Thunder - Independent/NHL & Independent/AHL (9-7-4)
Tonight marks the first ever meeting between the Jackals and the Thunder. It will also be the only meeting this season between Elmira and Wichita. The Thunder are in their first season in the ECHL after they spent the last 22 years in the CHL. The Jackals have been a member of the ECHL since the 2007-08 season, after playing the previous seven seasons in the UHL. Jackals captain Matt Tassone and newly acquired forward Justin Sawyer are the lone members of the Jackals team who has an a previous encounter with the Thunder. Tassone had a brief stint in Wichita during the 2012-13 campaign, posting two goals in three games. Sawyer played 64 games for the Thunder in the 2011-12 season and recorded nine points and 151 penalty minutes.
Elmira has gotten out of the blocks quickly in games this season and has found success from its fast starts. The Jackals are 8-2-2 when scoring first this season.