News release
4 April 2014
ELMIRA, N.Y. - With just two home games remaining the Elmira Jackals welcome the Orlando Solar Bears to First Arena for the first time this season tonight. The Solar Bears are trying to chase down South Carolina for third in the conference while the Jackals are looking to improve to 3-0-0 all-time at home against Orlando.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Ottawa and New Jersey/NHL & Binghamton and Albany/AHL (22-37-8) vs. Orlando Solar Bears - Minnesota and Toronto/NHL & Iowa and Toronto/AHL (40-23-4)
The Jackals are facing the Solar Bears tonight for the second of two meetings this season and the only matchup at First Arena. The Jackals dropped their only meeting at the Amway Center this season, 4-1 on Nov. 7, 2013. This is only Elmira's third home game against Orlando since the Solar Bears joined the ECHL last year. The Jackals are 2-0-0 all-time against Orlando on home ice. Elmira won the inaugural meeting at First Arena 4-1 on Dec. 14, 2012 and swept the season series at home on Mar. 9, 2013 with a wild 6-5 overtime victory. Even though this is just the fifth ever meeting between Orlando and Elmira, the Jackals are familiar with Orlando coach Vince Williams who piloted the Trenton Titans for the prior two seasons.
With many junior and college seasons coming to an end the Jackals have bolstered the pack with some new faces. Troy Vance comes to Elmira from Charlottetown in the QMJHL. Vance was selected in the fifth round (#135) of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars. Joining Vance is goalie Chris Driedger who just finished his junior season with Calgary in the WHL. Driedger was drafted in the third round (#76) of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. Ryan Rashid joins the Jackals after completing his collegiate career at Niagara and Will Fredericks signed with the club out of Clarkson.