News release
7 March 2014
ELMIRA, N.Y. - Tonight the Elmira Jackals welcome the Evansville IceMen to First Arena for the third time this season. The Jackals are looking to win two consecutive games for the first time since they defeated Evansville on the road February 7-8, 2014.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Ottawa and New Jersey/NHL & Binghamton and Albany/AHL (21-27-7) vs. Evansville IceMen - Columbus/NHL & Springfield/AHL (26-19-10)
WHAT: Jackals Home Game #28. Two-time Olympic Silver Medalist Kacey Bellamy will be signing autographs during the first intermission at SplitRock Brew Pub. The Jackals are hosting their annual Scout Night. There is a special ticket discount for scouts and all scouts in attendance get a complimentary Jackals patch.
The Jackals are facing the IceMen tonight for the fourth of five meetings this season and the second of three at First Arena. Elmira is 3-0-0 against Evansville this season, which includes a 1-0-0 record on home ice. In the only meeting at First Arena this season Ludwig Karlsson scored with nine seconds remaining in regulation on Valentine's Day to crush the IceMen's collective heart. Jordan Pietrus added three helpers in the thrilling 4-3 victory. Elmira's win on Feb. 14 marked the first win at First Arena against Evansville since Jan. 11, 2013. That night Ben Blood blasted home the overtime game-winner to give the Jackals a 3-2 win. All three meetings this season have been decided by two goals or less. These two teams have only met seven times in their ECHL histories with the Jackals holding a 6-0-1 advantage in the all-time series including a 2-0-1 record at First Arena.
On January 16 Danny Hobbs matched his goal total (9) from his rookie season last year as part of a two-point night (1G, 1A) in a win at Cincinnati. After an assist Sunday against South Carolina, Hobbs has 17 points (8G, 9A) in his last 16 games with Elmira. He also averaged a point per game in his first career AHL stint with a goal and an assist in two games with Binghamton from February 1 to February 5. Hobbs' assist gives him 32 points on the season, which surpasses the 31 he posted as a rookie with Greenville last year.