News release
15 April 2006
Chris Chaput Accepts the Jackals Rookie of the Year Award From Booster Club President Sharon Zack
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals capped off their 6th season of UHL hockey with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Adirondack Frostbite Saturday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Adirondack struck first 6:07 into the first period when Hugo Belanger fired in a rebound past Jackals goaltender Tyson Gajda. The goal gave Belanger 98 points on the season, two points shy of his 7th straight 100-point season. Both teams sent 10 shots on goal in the opening twenty minutes.
But the Jackals struck back early in the second period. Jason Sessa took one stride into the offensive zone and unleashed a howitzer of a slap shot from two feet above the top of the right face off circle. Sessas shot blazed past the right shoulder of a helpless Kris Tebbs in goal for Adirondack tying the game at one. The goal was Sessas 22nd of the season, assisted by Sam Paolini and Brett Angel at 2:05.
The rest of the game was high tempo, intense, playoff-style action, but no go-ahead goals found the net as regulation ended with the teams tied at one and Adirondack leading in shots 36-33.
In the shootout both Gajda and Tebbs denied the first two shooters respectively. Then Jason Sessa stepped up for the third round and put the Jackals ahead 1-0 by unleashing a sizzling wrist-shot over the glove of Tebbs. Gajda then denied Sylvain Cloutier in the bottom of round three. In the fourth round, Anthony Blumer got the nod from Head Coach Perry Florio. Blumer sprinted in on the Frostbite goalie, weaved to his right and buried his shot to put Elmira ahead 2-0 and forcing Adirondack up against the wall. Gajda split the pads to stop Mark Hurtubise and give the Jackals an insurmountable lead in the shootout. The Jackals stormed the ice in celebration, then in a sign of true class and sportsmanship, both teams and coaches shook hands at center ice.
Tyson Gajda earned his 5th win of the season, stopping 35-of-36 in regulation and went a perfect 4-for-4 in the shootout. Gajda is a UHL best 8-for-9 (88.9%), with a 2-0 record in shootouts this season. Kris Tebbs took the loss, making 32 saves on 33 shots in regulation and blocking 2-of-4 in the shootout.
The Jackals season comes to a close, the 6th completed season in franchise history. Season 7 for the Jackals will kick back into high gear sooner than you know as the 2006-2007 UHL season gets underway next October.