News release
4 February 2006
Fort Wayne, IN The Elmira Jackals came back from a 2-goal deficit in regulation and down two-goals in the shootout to earn a determined 3-2 shootout victory over the Fort Wayne Komets Saturday night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
The Jackals held a slight advantage in offense through most of the first period, but failed to capitalize on their chances, including going 0-for-3 on the power play. Fort Wayne caught a break when a pass in the Komets zone hit the referees skate and send Andrew Luciuk forward on a 2-on-1 rush. Luciuk slid the puck across to Lance Galbraith who one-timed it past Nick Boucher for a 1-0 lead at 18:56.
In the second period, Elmira was called for their first penalty of the game, a cross checking call on Mathieu Wathier at 1:33 and the Komets would make them pay. Colin Chaulk finished a clever pass from P.C. Drouin to double Fort Waynes lead at 2:00 of the period. Elmira struggled to find offense in the period, managing just 6 shots on target despite having 2 more power plays.
The Jackals came out in the third period looking to regain their first period momentum. After killing off 10-seconds of carry-over from Jarrett Konkles high-sticking penalty, Elmira began to push the tempo. Fort Waynes Colin Chaulk was called for hooking at 3:50, and though the Jackals were unsuccessful on the power play, they got themselves back into the game just 9 seconds after Chaulk returned to the ice. Carl Drakensjo tipped home a shot from Jason Sessa at 5:59 to make the score 2-1, assisted by Sessa and Chris Mann. Two minutes later, Elmira found themselves down on a five-on-three penalty kill against one of the top-ranked power plays in the UHL. But the Jackals fought off the penalty and then caught the Komets off guard. Sessa, benefited from a turnover in the Fort Wayne zone, took a pass from Josh Piro and back-handed the puck past Kevin St. Pierre tying the game at two at 12:13. Both teams had excellent scoring chances late in the game, but failing to find a winner in regulation, this match headed to a shootout.
In the shootout Elmira quickly fell behind 2-0 after three rounds as the Komets got goals from Andrew Luciuk and Kelly Miller. With their backs against the wall, the Jackals again rose up to meet the bell. Jason Sessa snapped a shot past St. Pierre in the 4th round, keeping Elmiras hopes alive and Nick Boucher followed with a stellar save against Colin Chaulk. In their second straight do-or-die round, Josh Piro faked out the Komets goaltender to tie the shootout at two in the 5th round. Boucher got Elmira out of hot water with a save on David Frawley forcing a sudden death 6th round. Josh Tataryn, a former Komet winger, skated out and buried a wrist shot top shelf on St. Pierre to put the Jackals ahead 3-2 with Fort Wayne still to shoot. Matt Hunter skated in on Boucher, but was denied by the Jackals goaltender to complete a dramatic comeback win for Elmira.
Nick Boucher earned a sweep of the western weekend and his 8th win of the season by stopping 39-of-41 shots for Elmira in regulation and 4-of-6 in the shootout. Kevin St. Pierre made 26 saves on 28 shots in the loss and blocked just 3-of-6 in the shootout.
Elmira returns home to begin a 6-game home stand all against Eastern Division teams.