News release
11 December 2005
Richmond, VA The Elmira Jackals won their second straight game, and their first at the Richmond Coliseum this year, as they knocked off the Richmond Riverdogs 3-2 Sunday afternoon.
Fresh off their first win in 11 games, the Jackals took the lead late in the opening period thanks to their increasingly effective special teams. After killing off two penalties earlier in the period, Elmira cashed in on their first power play of the game. Chris Chaput took a clever pass from Konstantin Kalmikov and slid a backhand shot behind Richmond goalie Doug Groenestege at 16:22 giving the Jackals a 1-0 lead after twenty minutes.
In the second period it became clear that this game would be a special teams battle. Elmira scored their second power play goal of the game when Sam Paolini collected a rebound from a Kalmikov shot, and neatly scored his 7th goal of the season at 7:31. Richmond got on the board with a power play goal from John DiPace at 12:24 and then a minute and eleven seconds later the Riverdogs tied the game with their second power play goal, this time from a J.J. Wrobel slap shot. Late in the period Elmira regained the lead with their third power play goal of the game. Mike Dombkiewicz blasted a slap shot from the blue line that sizzled into the back of the net at 18:53 assisted by Trevor Burgess and Jason for a 3-2 lead after two. Richmond out-shot the Jackals 18-9 in the second period, but couldnt hold off Elmiras potent power play.
In the third period, the Jackals defended well and held off Richmond, for a clutch 3-2 win.
Ryan McIntosh earned his 3rd win of the season, making 31 saves on 33 shots, while exacting revenge against his former club. Doug Groenestege took the loss, while stopping 25-of-28. The difference in the game: Elmira finished 3-for-5 on the power play, while Richmond was 2-for-7. The Riverdogs out-shot the Jackals 33-28 in the game.
Elmira will head home for a week of practice before heading out to Michigan for a two-game weekend against Port Huron Friday December 16 and in Flint Saturday December 17th.