News release
28 February 2007
New Jackals forward Bobby Kukulka attacks the Bloomington goal Wednesday night.
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals snapped an 8-game losing streak as they beat the Bloomington PrairieThunder 4-3 in a shootout Wednesday night at First Arena.
After a busy day of trades on Tuesday, the Jackals hit the ice against Bloomington with three new players in the lineup. Elmira jumped on the attack from the opening draw as they pinned the PrairieThunder back in their own zone for the entire first minute of play, recording 4 shots on goal. But Bloomington and goaltender Jeff Reynaert weathered the storm and went ahead 1-0 when Mike Zbriger snapped a wrist shot into the net at 2:42, assisted by Jon Booras; it was Bloomingtons first shot on goal. Elmira continued to pressure the PrairieThunder goal with Reynaert coming up with several big saves; Elmira out-shot the visitors 14-6 in the first period. Bloomington doubled their lead late in the period when a Trevor Baker one-timer found the net at 19:20 for a power play goal, assisted by John Spoltore and B.J. Gaustad.
In the second period Bloomington turned the table on Elmira as they out-shot the Jackals 17-8. This time it was the Jackals who found the net as they cashed in for a late power play goal. Right wing Bobby Kukulka, playing in his first game as a Jackal since coming to Elmira in a trade with Port Huron, scored his 21st goal of the season and first with the Jackals at 19:24, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Nick Harloff, who was acquired by Elmira in the Quad City trade.
In the third period, rookie Noah Katz tied the game at two with his 2nd goal of the season, scored on a rebound at 4:02, assisted by Rob Chappell and Marc Lefebvre. The Jackals took the lead when Brent Cullaton raced in on Jeff Reynaert and completely undressed the Bloomington goaltender as he scored a short-handed goal at 6:04, assisted by David Morelli to give Elmira a 3-2 lead. The goal was Cullatons 18th goal of the season, his 4th short-handed goal of the year and the Jackals UHL-leading 22nd short-handed goal. But Bloomington answered back when John Spoltore scored a power play goal at 7:03 and despite some quality scoring chances from both teams, this game headed to a shootout.
Jon Booras got things going with a goal for Bloomington in the first round, but Jackals goaltender Dave Lemanowicz shut the door after that as he stopped the next four shooters: John Spoltore, Tyler Rennette, Greg Koehler and B.J. Gaustad. The Jackals first two shooters Erik Anderson and Bobby Kukulka were both denied by Jeff Reynaert. Again it was the captain Brent Cullaton who led the charge for Elmira as he tied the shootout 1-1 with a filthy move that left Reynaert lying on his stomach. Rookie forward David Morelli snapped a twisted wrist shot through the five-hole in the fourth round to seal the victory for the Jackals.
Goaltender Dave Lemanowicz earned his 10th win of the season as he made 33 saves on 35 shots, along with 4-of-5 saves in the shootout. The Jackals narrowly avoided tying Bloomingtons UHL season-high 9-game losing streak as they improved to 24-33-1 on the season. Jeff Reynaert took the defeat, after stopping 32-of-35 shots in regulation and 2-of-4 in the shootout. Bloomington finished the game 2-for-4 on the power play, Elmira was 1-for-5.
The Jackals will return to action on Friday, March 2nd as they will host the Flint Generals for a 7:35 pm face off at First Arena, before heading out on a 9-day, 6-game road trip after Fridays game.