News release
9 October 2004
Glens Falls, NY The Elmira Jackals dropped their first exhibition game 3-1 Friday night to the Adirondack Frostbite at the Glens Falls Civic Center
Kevin Taylor scored the only goal of the first period as he found the net at the 12:11 mark. Jackals starter Nathan Grobins was forced to make some spectacular saves in the opening frame; he turned away 12-of-13 shots in the first period.
Elmiras offense began to put pressure on Adirondack goaltender David Burleigh, but it was the Frostbite who dominated the scoring in the second period. Just 2:48 into the second on the power-play, Sylvain Cloutier banged home a sharp, cross-crease pass from Bruce Gardiner to make it 2-0. Gardiner, the games number one star, then capped Adirondacks scoring with less than 3 minutes remaining on rookie Kevin Kurk, who, as scheduled, replaced Grobins halfway through the period.
Elmira would crack the scoreboard in the third period. Jason Sessa patiently beat Burleigh after being set free by an Eddy Lowe pass for his first goal as a Jackal, coming on the power play at 12:01 of the third. Burleigh, who eared second star honors, turned away several high-quality chances to keep his team ahead by two goals. He finished with 22 saves on 23 shots, while Grobins and Kurk combined for 21 saves on 24 shots.
The two teams will play the second leg of this two-game exhibition series Sunday October 10th at the First Arena in Elmira at 5pm.