News release
4 November 2006
Curtis Tidball Tangles With Muskegon's Adam Smyth Saturday at First Arena
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals answered the bell with an energetic bang, beating the Muskegon Fury 7-4 Saturday night at the First Arena and ending Muskegons unbeaten start to the 2006-2007 season.
Muskegon jumped out to an early lead when Jon Insana blasted a slap shot past goaltender Kris Tebbs at 8:43 of the first period. But Elmira struck back when Frank Littlejohn scored his 2nd short-handed goal of the season at 12:49, tying the game. Defenseman Scott Drevitch hammered home a slap shot from the blue line at 19:19, a power play goal, assisted by Littlejohn and Brent Cullaton and the Jackals carried the 2-1 lead into the break.
In the second period, Elmiras power play offense erupted after Muskegons Adam Smyth took a 5-minute major penalty for fighting. Captain Brent Cullaton opened his goal scoring account at 4:44 of the 2nd period, assisted by Drevitch and Scott Wray for a 3-1 lead. Then on the same power play, Littlejohn redirected a Cullaton shot from the point for his second goal of the game at 6:21. The goal, assisted by Cullaton and Erik Anderson gave Elmira a 4-1 advantage. But the undefeated first place Fury were not about to go quietly into the night. Muskegon answered with two quick goals of their own; one a 5-on-3 power play goal from Todd Robinson at 9:14 and the other a goal by Philippe Plante at 10:33 just after the Jackals returned to full-strength.
But again Elmiras most experienced defenseman had the answer. Drevitch unleashed his second howitzer of the game, a blistering shot from the left face off circle that ripped the back of the net at 12:58, assisted by David Morelli and the Jackals lead was 5-3. The Fury pulled back within one goal at 17:57 with Plantes 2nd goal of the game and left Elmira with a slim 5-4 lead after two periods of play.
Erik Anderson gave the Jackals a much-needed insurance goal early in the third period. Anderson fired a scorching wrist shot over the shoulder of goaltender Ryan Cyr just 4:33 into the final period, assisted by Wray and Dale Lupul for a 6-4 Elmira advantage. Although the Jackals seemed to keep giving the visitors hope as they wracked up some undisciplined penalties in the third period, Captain Cullaton removed all doubt from the rocking crowd of 3,594 fans at the First Arena. While killing a penalty, defenseman Chris Mann stole a pass in front of Elmiras net and made a poised clearing pass to a streaking Cullaton at the blue line. Cullaton gained the offensive zone, shadowed by two Muskegon defenders, and bombed a slap shot from the top of the face off circle past Cyr for his second goal of the night at 14:41. The goal, assisted by Mann, was Elmiras UHL-leading 7th short handed goal of the season, their second shorty of the game and put Muskegon out of reach 7-4.
Goaltender Kris Tebbs earned his 4th win in 5 starts in goal for the Jackals, making 37 saves on 41 shots. Muskegons Ryan Cyr was credited with the teams first loss of the season, while stopping 28-of-35 shots. Elmira finished 3-for-12 on the Hill Top Inn power play, while Muskegon was 1-for 11. Elmira penalty-killers held the UHLs 2nd ranked Muskegon power play to a mortal 10.5% success rate (2-for-19) over the two-game weekend series.
The Jackals will play their next five games on the road, beginning Friday November 10th in Illinois against the expansion Bloomington PrairieThunder for an 8:05 pm face off. Elmiras next home game is on Wednesday November 22nd as they host the Chicago Hounds for the first of three-games over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.