News release
19 November 2004
Danbury, CT The Elmira Jackals earned their first road victory over the Danbury Trashers in franchise history as they twice came back from a goal down to gain a shootout victory Friday night.
More than 2,300 fans at the Danbury Ice Arena saw the Trashers take an early lead against a Jackals team that was playing without the services of captain Trevor Burgess, Simon Poirier and Jamie Thompson; all three suffered injuries Thursday against Adirondack. Samir Ben-Amors shot from the left face off circle was screened from goalie Greg Hewitt and found the net just 49 seconds into the first period; assisted by Bruce Richardson.
Elmira would strike back at 2:37 of the second period as Eddy Lowe blasted a shot past Scott Stirling from the slot; Adam Nittel and Nathan Gillies each getting assists on the goal. Shortly thereafter, the Trashers regained their one-goal lead courtesy of Blake Bellefeuille, assisted by Jeff State at 3:25.
The Jackals did not waste anytime in the third period to get the equalizer. Nathan Gillies found the net at 1:23, from Greg Koehler and George Pujacs. The rest of the game was played very tightly, but neither team could find the clincher; both teams finished 0-for-6 on the power play.
This game would go to a shootout. Bruce Richardson put the home side on top in round one, and after some sensational goaltending from both keepers, Nathan Gillies would again play the role of leveling the contest. In round six defenseman George Pujacs undressed Stirling with some clever stick work, put the Jackals up 2-1 in the shootout, their first lead of any kind in the game. Hewitt then held Doug Christiansen at bay to give Elmira the two points.
Hewitt earned his UHL leading 9th victory and a league best 3rd shootout win of the season by stopping 33-of-35 and turning away 5-of-6 attempts in the shootout. Stirling took the loss Friday, making 38 saves in open play and went 4-of-6 during the shootout. Elmira continues their two-game road trip as they face off in Virginia Saturday against the Richmond Riverdogs at 7:30 pm.