News release
21 December 2005
Richmond, VA The Elmira Jackals had the lead twice before finally succumbing to the Richmond Riverdogs 5-3 Wednesday night at the Richmond Coliseum.
Elmira grabbed the lead at 9:50 of the first period when Konstantin Kalmikov scored his first goal in a Jackals uniform, a power play goal from Jason Sessa and Mike Dombkiewicz. But Richmond retaliated by tying the game at 13:55 with a goal from Rafal Martynowski. The Riverdogs took the lead two and a half minutes later with a power play goal of their own, John DiPace getting the goal for a 2-1 Richmond lead after twenty minutes.
In the second period Elmira would turn up the heat and level the score. Leading scorer Chris Chaput scored a power play goal at 7:53 from Dombkiewicz and Sam Paolini. For Chaput it was his 10th goal of the season and team-leading 27th point. One minute and seven seconds later Elmira reclaimed the lead when rookie Jarrett Konkle scored his 17th goal of the season at 9:00 from Andy Rozak and John Jarram. For Rozack it was his second point in just his second career pro game played. But Elmira could not hold the lead into the break. Riverdogs forward Bobby Kulkulka tied the game at three with an even strength goal at 11:23.
In the third period Richmond quickly broke the tie. DiPace scored his second goal of the game at 3:26, from Mike Oliviera and Brian Goudie, the eventual game winning goal. In the closing seconds, with the Jackals goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, Oliviera put home an empty net goal to seal the game for Richmond.
Mike DAlessandro made 28 saves on 31 shots in the win for Richmond, while Jackals goaltender Ryan McIntosh stopped 21-of-25 in the loss. Elmira out-shot the Riverdogs 31-25 in the game and finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Richmond ended the game 1-for-4 on the power play. Elmira had just one minor penalty in the final two periods. Riverdogs head coach Robbie Nichols reached a personal milestone with the victory, it was the 300th win of his professional coaching career.
After 6-straight road games, the Jackals are back home on Friday December 23rd as they host the Danbury Trashers at 7:05 pm for first time at the First Arena this season.