News release
20 October 2014
ELMIRA, N.Y. - October 20, 2014 - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, finished their first weekend of the season with a 1-1-0 record. The Jackals hosted the Kalamazoo Wings in both games, which will be the only two these teams play at First Arena this season.
Overall Record: 1-1-0; third place in East Division, seventh place in Eastern Conference
Assists: Taylor Stefishen & Brayden Irwin (2)
PPG: Taylor Stefishen, Allan McPherson & Steven Shamanski (1)
10/24 vs. Reading - 7:05 p.m., 10/25 vs. Reading - 7:05 p.m., 10/26 vs. Reading - 5:05 p.m.
This Friday the Jackals open their 15-game season series against the East Division rival Reading Royals. Last season the Jackals struggled against Reading, going 2-13-1 versus the Royals. In the all-time series, Elmira holds the advantage with a 44-43-10 record. This season is a year of new beginnings between these two rivals. In the off-season Elmira switched its affiliation from the NHL's Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils to the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, Reading made a change as well, affiliating with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. New beginnings bring fresh change as the Jackals roster a young, talented group of players led by new bench boss Jamie Russell. Additionally, this will be the first year of the DeMet's Turtle Cup, which will be awarded to the winner of the season series.
The Jackals dressed ten rookies and were led by new bench boss Jamie Russell, who was making his professional head coaching debut. Six of the rookies earned at least one point and four first-year players scored their first professional goal in the Jackals' 6-2 victory on Opening Night. Rookie forward Taylor Stefishen recorded a power-play goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, and also added an assist. Travis Fullerton stopped 24 of 26 shots faced for the win in his team debut. Elmira went 2-for-5 on the power-play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The Jackals jumped out to an early lead courtesy of rookie forward Allan McPherson's second goal in as many nights. However, they were unable to maintain the fast start and faltered in the first two periods, allowing three goals in each frame. Travis Fullerton started for the second straight night but was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 13 shots. Tony Capobianco, who appeared in two games with the Jackals last season, relieved Fullerton and stopped ten of 11 shots faced. Paul McIlveen scored the Jackals' second goal.