News release
14 November 2007
The Elmira Jackals jumped out to a 2-0 first lead and never looked back in a 4-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves Tuesday night in front of 2,539 fans at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
After two failed 5-on-3 man advantages in the first period that saw the Sea Wolves continually head to the penalty box, the Jackals cashed in on the their final two chances in the period for the lead after 20 minutes.
Bobby Robins got it started with a rising wrist shot that Mississippi goaltender Morgan Cey (27 saves) had no chance on at 12:58.
The Jackals doubled their lead just under five minutes later when Chris Busby ripped a drive from the high slot that eluded Cey at 17:44.
The Sea Wolves sliced the lead in half with 4:42 left in the second period when Jason Tejchma tipped home a Matt Deschamps centering feed to make it 2-1.
But the excitement for the home crowd lasted all of thirty seconds as on a similar rush, Benoit Doucet threw a pass to the front of the Sea Wolves net that was deflected home by Chaz Johnson at 15:48 for a 3-1 reading.
For Johnson, it was his second goal of the year while it was Doucets team-high sixth assist. Mike McLean picked up an assist on the play for his first professional point.
Elmira opened up their largest lead of the contest with 7:46 left in the third when defenseman Trevor Hendrikx beat Cey with a 50-foot slap shot from the slot to make it 4-1.
The Sea Wolves closed to within 4-2 on a power play goal from Ryan Menei with 4:50 left in the game following a Bobby Robins slashing call that was whistled in conjunction with fighting majors handed out to Elmiras Joe Grimaldi and Mississippis Lance Monych.
Joel Martin was stellar in goal for the Jackals, making a season-high 40 saves in posting his sixth win in seven decisions.
Elmira was 2-for-7 on the power play and killed six of seven Mississippi man advantages.
The win moved the Jackals into sole possession of third place in the ECHLs North Division with 13 points (6-4-0-1), two behind Cincinnati in second and three off the pace being set by the Reading Royals.
The Jackals continue their season-high five game road trip with a three-game weekend set in Texas against the league-leading Wildcatters. Fridays contest at Ford Arena is a scheduled 8:30 p.m. face off with radio coverage beginning with the Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face Off at 8 p.m. on MAGIC FM (92.7/97.7) and the on-line at www.jackalshockey.com.
Elmiras next home game is Friday, November 23rd, when they host the Trenton Devils at First Arena in a 7:35 p.m. draw. m. 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 722-3711 or 734-PUCK (7825) and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.