News release
12 October 2013
ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals close out their 2013 preseason schedule by hosting the Reading Royals at First Arena. Each team enters the game 1-0-0 in preseason action.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Ottawa and New Jersey/NHL & Binghamton and Albany/AHL (1-0-0 preseason) vs. Reading Royals - Washington/NHL & Hershey/AHL (1-0-0 preseason).
WHAT: Jackals Home Exhibition Game #1. All tickets for tonight's game are $5.
The Elmira Jackals and Reading Royals have played 82 regular season games (43-30-9 record for the Jackals) and 11 playoff games (5-6 record for the Jackals) against each other since Elmira entered the league in 2007. This year they will square off 17 times including tonight's exhibition finale. Adding intrigue to this long-standing and fierce rivalry is the player crossover that has developed. Former Jackals Louie Caporusso, Dustin Gazley, and Matt Campanale are in camp with the Royals while former Royal Brandon Blandina is suiting up with Elmira. Both teams enter tonight's action with a 1-0-0 record in the preseason. Elmira beat Wheeling on the road 5-4 in overtime last Saturday, while Reading toppled the Nailers 2-1 at home last night.
Jean Bourbeau, Rob Bellamy, Jordan Pietrus, and Artem Demkov will be returning for their third seasons with the Jackals. The core four has enjoyed the elation of finishing first in the regular season, while enduring playoff disappointments. This season they are on a quest for the Kelly Cup. Last year Bourbeau served as the team captain and produced the best offensive numbers of his pro career (20G, 18A). Bellamy served as an alternate captain and also set career highs in goals (20), assists (18), points (38), and penalty minutes (84). Pietrus served as the other alternate and established career highs in every major statistical category (72GP, 21G, 38A, 59Pts, +17, 89PIM). Pietrus and Bellamy were the only two players to skate in all 72 games for the Jackals. Demkov scored the second most goals on the team (23) despite playing only 39 games.