News release
16 October 2006
Jackals Open New Season With Pomp & Circumstance
Will Face Port Huron For Three Games This Week
2006-07 Record: 0-2-0, 0 points (0-2-0 Home, 0-0-0 Road), Fifth Place, Eastern Conference
Week 2 Schedule: (All games are broadcasted LIVE on MAGIC 92.7 & 97.7 FM)
Friday, October 20 7:35 pm vs. Port Huron Flags (1-1-0, 2 pts) Tied 3rd Place Eastern Conference
Saturday, October 21 7:30 pm @ Port Huron Flags (1-1-0, 2 pts) Tied 3rd Place Eastern Conference
Sunday, October 22 5:00 pm @ Port Huron Flags (1-1-0, 2 pts) Tied 3rd Place Eastern Conference
Week 1 Recap: The Jackals struggled during their opening weekend, at least on the ice. Off the ice the Front Office put on a magnificent display of excitement and fanfare. The team arrived Friday night at the First Arena in Limousines, while wearing tuxedos and walked down the red carpet. The players were introduced to a standing room only record crowd of 4,126, the largest single game attendance in the Jackals 7-year history. On the ice the Jackals were still finding themselves as they dropped the opener to Kalamazoo 4-0 and Sundays rematch with the defending champs, 5-1.
Elmira was hit by the injury bug as they started Fridays game with Captain Brent Cullaton on the 7-day IR and defenseman Philippe Lauze inactive after he left the team to deal with some personal matters. Starting goaltender Shawn Degagne was forced to leave the game due to a groin pull and rookie forward Dan Veenema lasted just one shift (his first of his pro career) before he had to leave with a separated shoulder. Veenema was placed on the 14-day IR, while Degagne was scratched from Sundays game, but may be back sooner. The Jackals re-signed Training Camp attending goaltender Michael Dilorenzo on Sunday and started Kris Tebbs in the absence of Elmiras #1 net minder. This week the Jackals will host Port Huron on Friday night, before heading out for their first road trip of the young season, playing in Port Huron on Saturday and Sunday.
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals entered the 2006-07 season with a huge Hollywood fanfare, but at the end of the night penalties reigned supreme as the Jackals fell 4-0 to the Kalamazoo Wings Friday night at the First Arena.
The Jackals set a new franchise Single Game Attendance record of 4,126 in their Home Opener and the Arena was alive with energy and enthusiasm. The team beat the previous record of 4,102 set on January 19, 2002 against Adirondack. But Kalamazoo would take the early lead when B.J. Radovich opened his scoring account at 10:41 of the first period, with a power play goal assisted by Adam Elzinga and Jeff Brown. The K-Wings spent most of the period, and subsequently, most of the game on the power play, which limited the Jackals offensive chances. Elmira goaltender Shawn Degagne looked in mid-season form as he turned aside 14-of-15 first period shots denying most of Kalamazoos attempts.
In the second period, former Jackal David Herring tallied his first of the season at 11:43, assisted by Scott Dobben and Kory Karlander, giving the defending champs a 2-0 lead. Degagne again stood on his head, blocking another 12-of-13 shots in the second period.
In the final frame Radovich scored his second of the game, another power play goal at 4:10, assisted by Mike Renzi and Casey Handrahan. As the penalties piled up and the Jackals frustrations mounted, Kalamazoo ended up finishing the last 5 minutes of the game on a 2-man advantage. Scott Dobben capped the scoring at 18:30 with the K-Wings 3rd power play goal of the game. Goaltender Kris Tebbs relieved starter Degagne after only 1:40 of the third, when Degagne left the ice after apparently suffering an injury on his first save of the period.
Kalamazoo goaltender Tom Askey earned the win and his first shutout of the season as he stopped all 23 shots he faced in the game. Shawn Degagne took the loss for Elmira after making 26 saves on 28 shots in 41:40. Kris Tebbs played the last 18:20 in relief; making 13 saves on 15 shots. Kalamazoo was 3-for-19 on the power play, while Elmira was 0-for-8.
Elmira, NY Frank Littlejohn scored a short-handed goal, but the Elmira Jackals dropped their second straight game to the Kalamazoo Wings 5-1 Sunday afternoon at the First Arena.
Special teams again played a big factor in the Kalamazoo offense as they scored three more power play goals, six total on the weekend, against a Jackals side still looking for their first power play goal. Kory Karlander scored his first goal of the season at 6:01 of the first period on the power play, assisted by Tyler Willis and Nick Bootland. But Elmira would strike back as Frank Littlejohn scored the Jackals first goal of the young season, a short-handed goal at 12:37, assisted by Yevgeny Lazarev. Elmiras offensive was all over the Kalamazoo zone during the opening twenty minutes, unleashing 21 shots on goal, but goaltender Tom Askey allowed just the odd goal amidst the barrage.
In the second period, Kalamazoo regained the lead courtesy of Karlanders second power play goal of the night at 3:25, from Shawn Snider and Alexander Valentin. 32 seconds later a fluke bounce in the crease off the stick of Tyler Willis saw the puck trickle softly past Jackals goalie Kris Tebbs and a stunned Elmira crowd saw the visitors go ahead 3-1.
K-Wings captain Nick Bootland tipped home a shot at 15:34 of the third period to put Kalamazoo up 4-1 and then in the closing moments Adam Elzinga scored on a 5-on-3 power play at 17:19 for the final goal of the game. Kalamazoo out-shot the Jackals 24-to-14 over the final two periods, but still finished the game being out-shot 35-to-30 by Elmira.
Kalamazoo goaltender Tom Askey recorded his second win of the season, stopping 34-of-35 shots. Kris Tebbs took the loss for the Jackals, making 25 saves on 30 shots. Kalamazoo was 3-for-14 on the power play; Elmira was 0-for-9 with the man-advantage.
Jackals Player & Goaltender of the Week: (Week 1)
Frank Littlejohn - RW 2 GP, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, -1, 30 PIMs
Frank Littlejohn made his presence felt in his debut for the Jackals during Week 1. He recorded 26 minutes in penalties during the season opener and then scored Elmiras first goal of the season, a short-handed goal against K-Wings goalie Tom Askey Sunday afternoon. As the Jackals struggled to find their office during the opening weekend, Littlejohn is now tied for the team lead in points (1) and shots (10), leads the team in goals (1) and short handed goals (1), and is second in PIMs (30).
Shawn Degagne G 1 GP, 0-1-0, 2.88 GAA, 0.929 SV%, 26 saves
Shawn Degagnes debut with the Jackals didnt last very long, but he made quite an impression. Degagne looked in mid-season form as he held Kalamazoo to just two goals on 28 shots during the first 42 minutes of play Friday night. Degagne, who pulled a groin muscle during the first period, was forced to leave the game early in the third after he aggravated the injury more severely. Degage leads the Jackals with a 2.88 goals against average and a 0.929 save percentage in his one appearance. He was a healthy scratch for Sundays game against the K-Wings.
A NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD The Jackals set a new attendance record during the Season Opener Friday night at First Arena. A standing-room-only crowd of 4,126 people saw the Jackals take on Kalamazoo, breaking a previous record of 4,102 set on January 19th, 2002. The Jackals have a special promotion night scheduled for February 9th, deemed Largest Crowd At First Arena To See The Jackals, thus now the fans will have to work a little bit harder to break the new record.
TEAM TOUGH The Jackals demonstrated their new team toughness in Week 1 as they jumped out to a resounding league lead in PIMs. As a team the Jackals have 179 penalty minutes, while Kalamazoo is the next closest with 84 PIMs.
UP WTH A MAN DOWN RW Frank Littlejohn scored Elmiras first goal of the season on Sunday afternoon a first period short-handed goal against Kalamazoos Tom Askey. The Jackals new forward is one of four UHL players who scored a short-handed goal during the first week of play.
INJURY BUG The early season injury bug has hit the Jackals. F Brent Cullaton, F Dan Veenema and G Shawn Degagne have all missed games due to injuries. D Philippe Lauze has also been inactive for personal matters.
LEADING THE UHL The Jackals have the top four spots in the UHL in individual PIMs after the first weekend. LW J.F. Soucy leads the UHL with 51 minutes, followed by RW Frank Littlejohn (30), Chris Shaw (24) and Curtis Tidball (24).
Points: Frank Littlejohn, Yevgeny Lazarev (1)
Short Handed Goals: Frank Littlejohn (1)
Game Winning Goals: Several Tied With (0)
Shooting Percentage: Frank Littlejohn (10.0)