News release
19 March 2009
Elmira, NY- The Elmira Jackals enter the weekend with one thing in mind. Six points. Coming into the Friday, Saturday, Sunday triple header with the Johnstown Chiefs, the Elmira Jackals currently occupy first place in the North Division of the American Conference with Wheeling and Cincinnati sharing the top honors. Johnstown and Trenton only trail the three way tie by one point.
The Jackals host Johnstown on Friday and Saturday and travel to the War Memorial on Sunday afternoon. Friday night is another Blue Manufacturing THUNDERSTICK NIGHT! On Saturday get set number one of the Multi Media Services Jackals Trading Cards. Both games at First Arena are scheduled for 7:35 p.m. face offs. Sundays game in Johnstown is set for 2:35 p.m.
34-24-1-4 Elmira Jackals vs. 34-25-4-0 Johnstown Chiefs
Season Series: Elmira has compiled a 5-5-1 record against the Chiefs this season. With the most recent match up on the 8th of March in Johnstown, Elmira fell 5-4. The last time the Jackals took two points from the Chiefs was on Saturday, February 21st when they edged out a 5-4 overtime win.
ELMIRA: Defensively the Jackals have been lead by Craig Switzers plus 10 rating, one goal and two assists over the past seven games. Up front Colton Yellow Horn has contributed eight points (3G 5 A) in his past seven games with the help of line mates Derek Couture and Brendan Connolly. In his first three games a pro, Connolly has struck for four goals and two assists while Derek Couture has netted three goals and four assists for seven points in his past four games.
JOHNSTOWN: Rookie forward Blair Yaworski has netted six goals and added two assist for eight points in his past eight games. Andrew Saraur has also contributed eight points in the past eight games to the tune of two goals and six assists while defenseman Mike Knight has netted eight points as well in his past seven games.
Playoff Goalies: The Jackals have seen superb goal keeping from rookie Michael Teslak over the past nine games. The Fernie, British Columbia product has compiled a 7-2-0 record with a 0.909 save percentage and a 2.71 goals against average. Teslak was named the Reebok Goalie of the Week runner up this past week. The crease in Johnstown has been mainly kept by Ian Keserich. Keserich has compiled an 11-13-2-0 record with a 0.901 save percentage and a 3.17 goals against average.
AHL Call Ups: The Jackals will remain without forward Josh Aspenlind who is still in Lake Erie with the Monsters. Aspenlind has skated in 23 games for the Monsters where he has netted one goal. Elmira Defenseman Brandon Roach has seen eight games in the American Hockey League this season for the Quad City Flames, Roach has one goal and two assists. Jackals goal keeper Mitch OKeefe remains in Binghamton with the B-Sens where he holds a 0.909 save percentage.
Join Nick Hulberg, the Voice of the Jackals on the Jackals Hockey Radio Network, WOKN 99.5 Elmira, 102.5 Corning, WVIN 98.3 Bath and at www.jackalshockey.com. The Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face Off kicks off 20 minutes before every game.