News release
19 October 2009
The Elmira Jackals started off with two wins to begin the 2009-2010 regular season, defeating the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-2 in front of a 4,128 standing room-only crowd at First Arena on Friday, October 16.
The Jackals were clinging onto a tight 3-2 lead past the halfway point of the third period when Jackals winger Maxime Gratchev scored the second of his two goals on the evening to give the Jackals breathing room. Brandon Svendsen scored his first goal as a member of the Jackals to put the game away minutes later.
On Saturday, the Jackals played their first road game of the season at Reading in what turned out to be an exciting, dramatic shootout victory. The Jackals trailed 2-1 in the second period before scoring three straight goals, and then relinquishing their two goal lead to end the period. After Chanse Fitzpatrick gave the Jackals the lead on his second goal of the game, backhanding a feed from Chris Korchinski past Reading netminder Kevin Regan, the Royals used nearly six minutes of five-on-three power play time to even the score, sending the game into overtime on a Ben Gordon goal. Justin Donati had the lone goal in the shootout, and the Jackals improved to 2-0-0-0 on the season with the 6-5 win.
The Jackals play three consecutive games for the first of 15 times in 2009-2010. The Jackals will host Johnstown on Friday night, and will be giving away 2009-2010 magnetic schedules, sponsored by Bully Hill Vineyards and Weiss Construction. To order, call 607-734-PUCK (7825), log onto Ticketmaster.com, or visit the First Arena Box Office.
Elmira then takes to the road, heading to Johnstown for a 7:05 PM faceoff Saturday night, and then to Wheeling for a 6:35 PM battle with the Nailers on Sunday.
Jackals vs. Johnstown, Friday, October 23, 2009