News release
3 December 2006
Hoffman Estates, IL The Elmira Jackals erased a 2-0 first period deficit but dropped their third straight game 5-3 to the Chicago Hounds Saturday night at the Sears Centre.
The Hounds grabbed the lead at 10:32 when Mike Brolsma lifted a rebound into the top of the net. Todd Grant made it 2-0 Chicago with a goal at 16:14 as Grant batted a Paul Caponigri shot out of mid-air and into the Elmira net. Chicago out-shot the Jackals 19-12 in the first twenty minutes.
The Jackals struck back early in the second period as rookie forward David Morelli scored his 7th goal of the season, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Dale Lupul. Morellis goal cut the Chicago lead in half and was the Jackals UHL-leading 13th short-handed goal of the season. Elmira then tied the game 2-2 when Tommy Kotsopoulos fired a snapshot from the right face off circle at 9:46, assisted by Wes Blevins and Marc Lefebvre. But 11 seconds later the Hounds regained the when Kris Vernarsky stole a clearing attempt from Kris Tebbs and scored on the open net for a short-handed goal at 9:57. The Hounds made it 4-2 at 18:04 when Steve Cygan fired a shot passed Tebbs to regain Chicagos 2-goal lead.
John Spoltore made it 5-2 Hounds in the third period with a power play goal at 11:45 assisted by Greg Koehler and Bob Rapoza. Elmira pulled one goal back at 17:57 when Yevgeny Lazarev scored his 9th goal of the season, a power play goal blasted from the hash marks. Brent Cullaton and Scott Drevitch assisted on the goal, Elmiras only power play goal of the game. The Jackals pressed for more, but time was not on their side as Elmira dropped to 11-8-0 on the season, suffering their third consecutive defeat.
Goaltender Marty Magers won his second straight game against the Jackals, making 31 saves on 34 shots in goal for Chicago. Kris Tebbs continued his fantastic form, stopping 37-of-42 shots in goal for Elmira. The Jackals finished the game 1-for-6 on the power play and scored one short-handed goal, while Chicago was 1-for-4 on the power play and also scored one short-handed goal in the game.
Elmira finishes off the three-game road trip with a Sunday afternoon match up with the Quad City Mallards at 4:00 pm EST at The MARK of the Quad Cities. The Jackals will return home to Elmira on Friday December 8th as they host the Fort Wayne Komets at First Arena.