News release
18 March 2006
Fraser, MI The Elmira Jackals lost an early lead and fell to the Motor City Mechanics 4-1 Saturday night at Great Lakes Arena.
Fresh off theyre stunning final-second win over Kalamazoo on St. Patricks Day, the Jackals came out and dominated the Mechanics in the opening period. They peppered Motor Citys goaltender Rod Branch, out-shooting their hosts 14-3 after twenty minutes, but they had nothing to show for their efforts as the period ended 0-0. Jackals starting goaltender Tyson Gajda, who was sensational Friday night in Kalamazoo, was forced to leave at 9:25 with an injury, so backup goalie Matt Meacham came in, making his first appearance in a Jackals uniform. Meacham faced just one shot in the final 11 minutes.
Motor City responded early in the second period by turning up their offensive pressure. The Mechanics pounded 17 shots on Meacham, who did not seem phased by coming off the bench. The Jackals struck first in the 2nd period, Konstantin Kalmikov slotted home a rebound from a Jason Sessa slap shot at 10:47. The goal, assisted by Sessa and Jarrett Konkle was Kalmikovs 24th of the season, 19th since being traded from Motor City to Elmira. But the Mechanics were not to be out-done by their former teammate. 40 seconds later Peter Szabo blasted a slap shot off the inside of the post to tie the game at 11:27.
In the third period Tom Kotsopoulos broke the tie for the Mechanics with a goal at 6:40 to give Motor City their first lead of the game 2-1. Adam Edinger double the home teams lead at 13:47 on a spin-around shot from the slot. The Jackals pulled Meacham with a minute to play, but Mike Burgoyne put in an empty net goal to cap off the 4-1 Motor City victory. The Mechanics out-shot the Jackals 32-16 over the final two periods of play.
Rod Branch earned his 32nd win of the season, stopping 29-of-30 shots in goal for Motor City. Matt Meacham took the loss in his first appearance for the Jackals, making 29 saves on 32 shots. Tyson Gajda started the game and made two saves on two shots before being forced out with an injury.
Elmira will return to the First Arena on Friday, March 24th to face off with the Adirondack Frostbite for a 7:05 pm puck drop.