News release
12 January 2005
Glens Falls, NY Sparked by three straight 2nd period goals, the Adirondack Frostbite held off the Elmira Jackals 4-3 Wednesday night.
In front of a light but boisterous crowd in Glens Falls the Frostbite Jumped out to an early lead when Frank Bakrlik found himself all along in front of the goal and beat Greg Hewitt for a 1-0 lead at 9:05. Elmira struck back at 15:21 when Corey Fosters outlet pass sent Carl Drakensjo streaking on a short-handed two-on-one with Nathan Gillies. Drakensjo slid the puck neatly across to Gillies who tapped in the puck on the back post for his first short-handed goal of the year.
The second period 3-goal explosion by the Frostbite turned out to be the difference in this game. First Ryan Bennett regained the lead 2-1 with his 3rd short-handed goal of the season at 3:46. Then Hugo Belanger ripped home a power play goal at 14:33. Ninety seconds later with a delayed penalty pending of the Jackals, Adirondack got goaltender Derek Gustafson to the bench for the extra attacker, worked the puck around the zone, then found Sylvain Cloutier wide open in the slot and he buried his chance over Hewitts catching glove for a 4-1 lead at 16:11. Elmira made a game out of the situation scoring twice in a span of 35 seconds to get back within one goal after two periods. Captain Trevor Burgess blasted a slap shot from the point that redirected off the side of Bennett and into the net, assisted by Greg Koehler at 18:14 to make it 4-2. Half a minute later Foster sent a sizzling wrist shot past Gustafson, assisted by Jeff Antonovich and Darren Van Oene for a 4-3 score.
In the third period both teams had chances to light the lamp. Elmiras best opportunity to equalize came on a Carl Drakensjo penalty shot which was narrowly denied by Gustafsons right leg pad.
Goaltender Derek Gustafson stopped 20-of-23 for the win, while Greg Hewitt turned aside 33-of-37 shots in the loss for Elmira.
The Jackals head West for three games this weekend, beginning Friday night in Kalamazoo for a 7:30 pm face off with the K-Wings. Elmiras next home game will be Friday January 21st at 7:30 pm against Kalamazoo at the First Arena.