News release
1 January 2005
Elmira, NY Playing in their first game of 2005, the Elmira Jackals put on a clinic against the Adirondack Frostbite, demolishing their East Division rivals 5-1 at the First Arena Saturday night.
Elmira dominated the opening period, out-shooting Adirondack 16-to-9, but the goals were hard to come by. Finally the next Mayor of Elmira Eddy Lowe would fittingly score the Jackals first goal of the New Year at 18:43, his 10th of the season, assisted by Jamie Thompson and Jason Sessa.
In the second period the Frostbite tied the game at 9:59 when David Burgess put home a power play goal, his 12th of the season. But Elmira answered just 14 seconds later. Jeff Antonovich put forth another vintage individual fore checking effort to beat Gustafson with a wrap-around goal, assisted by Corey Foster and George Pujacs for a 2-1 lead.
The Jackals went into the third period determined to close out the contest and they did so with a bang. First Sessa scored his UHL leading 12th power play goal of the season at 9:30 from Antonovich and Trevor Burgess to make it 3-1. Then Tom Clayton unleashed a blazing slap shot from the high slot at 14:12 for his third goal of the year, assists going to Simon Poirier and Dean Jackson. Sessa then capped the night with his second goal of the game, 23rd of the season, from Foster and Thompson at 16:45 for a 5-1 Elmira win.
Greg Hewitt earned his 13th win of the year while stopping 27-of-28 in goal for the Jackals; Derek Gustafson made 33 saves on 38 Elmira shots.
Elmira will try to make it 5 points out of a possible 6 as they host Richmond Sunday, January 2nd at 5:00 pm at the First Arena to close out the weekend.