News release
31 December 2006
Port Huron, MI The Elmira Jackals almost lost a 3-goal lead, but they held on to beat the Port Huron Flags 4-3 Sunday afternoon at McMorran Place Arena.
The Jackals dodged an early bullet when the Flags had a power play goal disallowed by referee Neil Christopher for a high-stick. Shortly after it was Elmira who cashed in on their first power play of the game as Frank Littlejohn swatted in a rebound out of mid-air at 4:58, assisted by Erik Anderson and Brent Cullaton. The goal was Littlejohns 13th goal of the season and his team-leading 6th power play goal of the year. But the Flags came back with a power play goal of their own when Mike Olynyk poked home a loose puck during a scramble in the crease at 11:48. But the Jackals pulled ahead late in the period as they grabbed back the momentum. Derek Miller sent Tommy Kotsopoulos free down the left wing and Kotspoulos would not waste his opportunity as he fired a snap shot up over the glove of goalie Dustin Traylen at 18:38, giving Elmira a 2-1 lead at the break.
After two scraps pitting Rob Chappell against Robert Snowball and Chris Mann with Pat Sutton, the Jackals would double their lead. Rookie David Morelli scored his 11th goal of the year at 10:08 assisted by Derek Miller and Yevgeny Lazarev, giving Elmira a 3-1 lead. Jackals goaltender Dave Lemanowicz stood on his head in the period, making some outstanding saves as he helped to preserve the lead.
In the third period, defenseman Chris Mann gave the Jackals a 3-goal lead when he scored his 2nd goal of the season at 3:27, assisted by Tommy Kotsopoulos. Kotsopoulos won the face off back to the point to Mann, who corralled the puck and unleashed a blazing wrist shot that zipped into the top of the goal, under the cross bar, for a 4-1 Jackals lead. But the Flags wouldnt go away as defenseman Craig Mahon slipped through the defense and scored at 15:30, cutting the Jackals lead to two goals. Another defensive lapse allowed Flags forward Bobby Kukulka to race down the right wing and he fired a back hand shot that slid into the net at 17:58. But despite pulling their goaltender for the final 1:46, the Flags failed to find the equalizing goal as the Jackals held on for a 4-3 win.
Dave Lemanowicz made 26 saves on 29 shots to earn his 3rd win of the season and 2nd win against Port Huron this week as Elmira improved to 16-15-0 on the year. Dustin Traylen took the loss, stopping 34-of-38 shots over the first 55:52 of the game, before leaving with an injury. Noah Ruden replaced the injured Traylen and made one save.
Elmira will kick off the 2007 calendar year with a home game on Wednesday January 3rd as they host the Fort Wayne Komets for a 7:00 pm face off at First Arena. This will be the final meeting between the Jackals and Komets during the 2006-07 regular season.
DUE TO THE NEW YEARS HOLIDAY THERE WILL NOT BE A JACKALS COACHS SHOW ON MONDAY JANUARY 1ST, 2007. THE SHOW WILL RETURN ON MONDAY JANUARY 8TH AT 6:00 PM AT THE PIONEER SPORTS BAR AND GRILL AND ON NEWS TALK 1230 & 1450 AM WENY.