News release
22 February 2014
ELMIRA, NY - Tonight the Elmira Jackals take on the Wheeling Nailers for the second night of their three-in-three weekend. The Jackals are 3-0-2 in their last five against Wheeling after last night's 5-2 victory at First Arena.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Ottawa and New Jersey/NHL & Binghamton and Albany/AHL (20-23-6) vs. Wheeling Nailers - Montreal/Pittsburgh/NHL & Hamilton and Wilkes-Barre/AHL (25-21-6)
WHAT: Jackals Home Game #23. Jackals players will be wearing specialty jerseys for Donate Life Donor Awareness Night. Jerseys will be auctioned off live postgame with proceeds going to Donate Life. Donate Life pucks will also be given away to all fans in attendance.
The Jackals are facing the Nailers tonight for the 11th of 15 meetings this season and the fifth of eight at First Arena. Elmira is 3-5-2 against Wheeling this season, which includes a 2-2-0 record on home ice. Elmira has rattled off consecutive home wins against Wheeling after dropping the first two this season by a combined 8-2 score. The win also improved Elmira to 3-0-2 against Wheeling in the last five meetings after the Nailers won five in a row to start the season series. Even though Wheeling has won seven of the first 10 meetings, the season series has been quite close. Six of the first 10 games have been decided by one goal. Two of Elmira's three wins, though, have been by identical 5-2 scores (last night and Dec. 12 in Wheeling).
Tonight continues a portion of Elmira's schedule where it plays 11 of 13 games on home ice (1-0-0 so far). The only road trips are to Reading on Feb. 26 and March 15. The Jackals are 4-1-0 in their last five at home. Last nights game saw two standouts in the Jackals line-up; Jean Bourbeau and Jakub Culek. Bourbeau's three goals tied his career high for points in a game along with his three-assist effort on December 8 vs. Fort Wayne. Culek's three-assist night broke a six-game point drought which was the longest of his career. It's the second time Culek has reached three assists this season.