News release
7 April 2006
Goalie Matt Meacham Denies The Trashers From His Crease
Elmira, NY Kevin Cooper scored two goals, but the Elmira Jackals could not hold off a surging Danbury Trashers as the visitors took the win 4-2 Friday night at the First Arena.
The Jackals were the first and only team to find the net in the first period of play. Just over halfway through the period at 11:21 Trevor Burgess passed the puck up the ice to Konstantin Kalmikov who carried it into the zone and slid it between a defenders legs to Kevin Cooper who put a low shot through the five hole to light the lamp and give Elmira the 1-0 lead. The 5-on-3 power play goal was Coopers 30th of the season placing him at second in scoring on the Jackals this season. The outstanding play of Jackals goaltender Matt Meacham kept the Trashers scoreless as he turned away all fifteen of Danburys shots in the first period. The Jackals only managed to get 7 shots in the first, but that proved to be enough to take the lead in the first.
In the second period it only took Danbury 3:35 to tie the game when Jean-Michel Daoust tipped a puck out of mid-air on a pass from Mike Omicioli. The Trashers then took lead when Drew Omicioli scored on a nice play setup by Troy Smith and Mike Omicioli at 5:38. Kevin Cooper was the man that would tie the game for the Jackals 2-2, when he netted his second of the night and 31st of the season at 10:20. Sam Paolini and John Donnelly were credited with the assists on the shorthanded goal, Coopers 3rd short-handed goal of the season. Danbury took the lead for the second time in the game on a power play when Drew Omicioli was setup by his brother Mike for a one-timer past Meacham at 14:43. The horn would sound with the Trashers leading 3-2 on the board and 31-21 in shots.
Only one goal was scored in the third and it came off the stick of Danburys David Hymovitz at 3:12 of the period. Thats the way the game would end with the Jackals falling to the Trashers by a score of 4-2. Elmira out-shot Danbury 18-9 in the third period but failed to score.
Trashers goaltender Jayme Platt stopped 37-of-39 shots to earn his 15th win, while Elmiras Matt Meacham was excellent in goal despite the loss; making 36 saves on 40 shots. Elmira was 1-for-10 on the power play, while Danbury finished 1-for-6.
Elmira will hit the road Saturday for a game in Adirondack. The Jackals will return home Sunday to battle the Richmond Riverdogs for a 4:05 pm face off at the First Arena.