News release
10 December 2007
ELMIRA, NY The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the ECHL, picked up seven of a possible eight standings points in four games last week to retake sole possession of the top spot in the North Division. The schedule lightens up for the remainder of December with just two games on tap each of the remaining weekends in 2007
Overall: 16-6-0-2 (34 pts.) Last Week: 3-0-0-1 (7 pts.) 1st North Division/2nd American Conference
Wednesday, Dec. 5th vs. TRENTON (5-4 W so) Att: 3,576 Shots: ELM 37-25 PP: 1/3 PK: 6/7
The Jackals squandered 3-1 and 4-2 third period leads before prevailing in a shootout and taking the extra point to keep pace with Cincinnati atop the North Division. FRANK LITTLEJOHN scored twice in regulation and once in the shootout to lead Elmira to its 14th win of the year.
Friday, Dec. 7th @ CINCINNATI (1-2 L so) Att: 2,047 Shots: ELM 39-21 PP: 0/7 PK: 5/5
BENOIT DOUCET tied the game with 9:46 left in regulation to garner a standings point for Elmira as the Jackals were blanked in the shootout 3-0 in a first place showdown at U.S. Bank Arena.
Saturday, Dec. 8th @ CINCINNATI (5-4 W so) Att: 1,554 Shots: ELM 34-32 PP: 1/4 PK: 5/7
Facing a 4-2 hole heading into the final period, the Jackals notched their second win of the year when trailing after forty minutes, rallying for a pair of goals (JOE GRIMALDI and BRYAN RODNEY) to send the game to overtime and eventually a shootout. SCOTT MAY picked up his second shootout winner of the season and RODNEY added an insurance strike as the clubs settled nothing in their weekend showdown, leaving Saturday night tied with 32 points in the North Division.
Sunday, Dec. 9th @ WHEELING (5-1 W) Att: 2,018 Shots: ELM 38-25 PP: 3/8 PK: 4/5
A three-goal second period righted the Jackals ship and pushed them past the struggling Nailers to close out the weekend. Defenseman BRYAN RODNEY had a career night with four points on two goals and a pair of assists, CHAZ JOHNSON netted his first two-goal effort in the ECHL that included the game-winner and the club struck for a season-high three power play goals. JOEL MARTIN made a fifth consecutive start, stopping 23 shots and securing his league-leading 11th win of the year. The win elevated the Jackals into sole possession of first place in the North Division as Cincinnati was idle.
This Week: Friday, December 14th vs. READING 7:35 p.m. First Arena
The clubs meet for the third time this year with each winning previously on home ice. Most recently, a FRANK LITTLEJOHN penalty goal lifted Elmira to a 4-1 win on November 24th at First Arena. SHAWN WELLER (1+1=2), KEVIN ULANSKI (1+1=2) and JOE GRIMALDI (0+2=2) lead the Jackals scoring against the Royals while DAN LaCOSTA has gone the distance in net in both games with a 1-1 record and 2.52 GAA and .930 save percentage. ROB LALONDE (1+2=3) and MATT HERNEISEN (0+3=3) pace Reading with three points each against the Jackals. The second period has been most fruitful for both clubs in the previous two games, combining for eight (ELM 5-3) of the series 13 goals. Overall, CHRIS BLIGHT leads the Royals in goals and scoring with 14+8=22.
Saturday December 15th vs. TRENTON 7:35 p.m. First Arena
The Jackals and Devils meet for the fourth time this season with Elmira having posted wins in all three previous meetings, including a 5-4 shootout decision last Wednesday at First Arena. BRETT PILKINGTON (1+5=6) leads all scorers in the series while the Devils sport five two-point performers against Elmira. JOEL MARTIN is 3-0 with a 1.95 goals against average versus his former club, including a 16-save 4-0 shutout on November 23rd in Elmira.
Jackals Bites: Pierre-Luc Faubert (8+10=18) and Bryan Rodney (6+12=18) share the team lead in points while Faubert and Frank Littlejohn top the goal scoring chart for Elmira with eight eachRodneys four-point night (2+2) Sunday at Wheeling in a 5-1 win was an ECHL career-high for the 3rd year proRodney had a five-game point streak (last four games with Columbia plus his Jackals debut) end in Fridays loss at Cincinnati, but rebounded with back-to-back two-goal efforts Saturday against the Cyclones and Sunday versus the NailersRodney shows up in league defenseman rankings as the leading scorer while his six goals are tied for secondSundays 5-1 win in Wheeling was Elmiras first regulation win since November 24th after a stretch of games saw them play five of six decided in shootout fashionThe Jackals have seen all seven of their overtime games go to shootouts where the club is 5-2 for 12 points, second best total in the ECHL The three power play goals Sunday were a season-high G Dan LaCostas 2.19 GAA and .934 save percentage rank 7th and 4th respectively in the ECHLOther Jackals appearing in the ECHL league leaders include Joel Martin (11 wins, 1st) and Tomas Kudleka (2 GWG, T-1st among defensemen).
Tuesday, December 11th 11:00 a.m. Practice - First Arena
Wednesday, December 12th 10:30 a.m. Practice - First Arena
Thursday, December 13th 10:30 a.m. Practice - First Arena
Friday, December 14th 7:35 p.m. JACKALS vs. READING WETM-2/MAGIC FM 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 15th 7:35 p.m. JACKALS vs. TRENTON MAGIC FM 7:05 p.m.