News release
16 December 2005
Port Huron, MI The Elmira Jackals allowed 4-straight goals Friday night, blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 5-3 to the Port Huron Flags at McMorran Place Arena.
The Jackals out-right dominated the Flags for most of the first two periods. In the first period Sam Paolini stuffed in a beautiful cross-ice pass from Jason Sessa to give Elmira the lead. The strike was a power play goal at 13:55, also assisted by captain Trevor Burgess.
A mere 2:42 into the second period Elmira doubled its lead when Chris Chaput tapped home a rebound from a Konstantin Kalmikov snap shot during a two-on-one rush, Paolini also assisted on the goal. But despite continued pressure throughout the period it was a former Jackal who came back to haunt Elmira. Flags defenseman Bryan Cummings, who was traded to Port Huron for John Donnelly one month earlier, scored his first goal of the season at 11:18 to cut the Jackals lead in half.
Perhaps the real turning point of the game, not Cummings goal, was the first few minutes of the third period. Elmira went into the final frame with 1:23 of a 5-on-3 advantage and failed to do any damage. After killing off the two penalties, the Flags used their sudden momentum to pull themselves back into the game. Brett Lutes put on a third period goal scoring clinic, much to the delight of the home fans. Lutes tied the game at two with a power play blast from the high slot at 5:47. Five minutes later, Lutes scored his second goal of the game, also a one-timer on the power play, at 11:00 for Port Hurons first lead of the game. Lutes would then complete his own third period natural hat-trick by weaving past two Jackals defenders and beating goaltender Ryan McIntosh at 14:59 for a 4-2 Flags lead. Despite blowing a two-goal lead, the Jackals didnt give up. With Flags captain Ryan Gillis in the penalty box for tripping at 16:22, Port Huron defenseman Shayne Tomlinson was called for high-sticking at 16:43 giving Elmira another 5-on-3 advantage. Defenseman Mike Dombkiewicz cranked in his second power play goal in as many games at 17:15, assisted by Chaput and Paolini, which cut the Flags lead to 4-3 with Tomlinson remaining in the sin bin for another 1:28. However, the Jackals failed to score on their final power play chance and in the closing seconds, with the Elmira net empty, Aaron Brand would shoot the puck the length of the ice, finding the goal with 8 seconds remaining to finish off the Jackals comeback efforts.
Scott Hay earned the win, stopping 38-of-41 shots on goal for the Flags. Ryan McIntosh took the loss for Elmira, making saves on 30 shots in the process. Elmira out-shot Port Huron 41-31, but were just 2-for-12 on the power play; the Flags were 2-for-8 with the man advantage.
The Jackals will next travel an hour west to face off against the Flint Generals Saturday night at Peranis Arena at 7:30 p.m. Elmiras next home game takes place on Friday December 23rd as the Jackals host the Danbury Trashers for the first time this season at 7:05 pm at the First Arena.