News release
2 April 2014
ELMIRA, N.Y. - April 2, 2014 - Tonight the Elmira Jackals welcome the Kalamazoo Wings to First Arena and kick off their final homestand of the season. The Jackals are looking for their third win in six tries against the second-ranked team in the Eastern Conference.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Ottawa and New Jersey/NHL & Binghamton and Albany/AHL (22-36-8) vs. Kalamazoo Wings - Vancouver and St. Louis/NHL & Utica and Chicago/AHL (39-20-7)
The Jackals are facing the Wings tonight for the sixth of six meetings this season and fifth of five at First Arena. Elmira is 2-1-2 this season against Kalamazoo, including a 2-1-1 record at First Arena. The Jackals have earned points in four of the five meetings this season and won two in a row over the Wings by a combined 6-2 score but dropped the last meeting on February 5 in a shootout. Elmira has limited Kalamazoo to an average of 1.50 goals per game since suffering a 6-5 shootout loss to the Wings on November 22. The Wings last skated at First Arena on January 29, 2014 and lost 4-1 thanks to three-point nights from Mike Vaskivuo and Jakub Culek. Neil Conway earned the win with 28 saves on 29 shots in his second career ECHL start.
With many junior and college seasons coming to an end the Jackals have bolstered the pack with two new faces. Rookie defenseman Troy Vance joins the Jackals following his season with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 6-5 220-pound blueliner was selected in the fifth round (#135) of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars. Joining Vance is Niagara University product Ryan Rashid. The 23-year-old just completed his senior season with the Purple Eagles. Rashid notched 88 points (38 goals, 50 assists) in 143 NCAA games.