News release
17 February 2006
Jackals Forwards Kevin Cooper and Jarrett Konkle
Elmira, NY The Danbury Trashers scored two third period goals on their way to a 4-2 win over the Elmira Jackals Friday night at the First Arena.
Danbury found several ways to strike down the Jackals momentum all night, beginning halfway into the first period. Danny Stewart knocked in a rebound just 6 seconds after Danburys 2nd power play of the night expired, giving the Trashers a 1-0 lead at 13:03. The goal can just after penalized defenseman Mathieu Wathier returned to the ice, squashing all of Elmiras energy built from killing off the penalty.
But the Jackals came back strong in the second period. Sean Kotary scored his first goal of the season and first as a Jackal with a power play goal at 10:45, assisted by Kevin Cooper and Jason Sessa. Kotarys goal came on a blast from the blue line that navigated all the traffic in front and beat Danburys goaltender Jayme Platt to tie the game. Elmiras power play continued to improve as they cashed in again for their first lead. Chris Chaput roofed a shot above the blocker of Platt at 16:55, just 9 seconds into Drew Omiciolis penalty for high-sticking. The goal was Chaputs 20th of the season, their second power play goal of the game, assisted by Sam Paolini and Flo Iberer. But Danbury again quelled Elmiras momentum just moments before the break. After John Donnelly was called for hooking at 19:11, Danburys Donny Grover scored with just 2.7 seconds remaining in the 2nd period, sending both teams into the intermission tied at two, a major blow to the Jackals and their fans.
Elmira stepped up in the third period, but had two fatal flaws. First, they narrowly failed to score on a 35-second five-on-three advantage just three minutes into the third. Then Ryan Barnes caught the Jackals defense off guard for just a split second, snapping a shot past goaltender Nick Boucher at 6:38, putting the Trashers on top 3-2. Then, after Elmira failed to score on Shawn Collymores high-sticking penalty, Drew Omicioli slapped a one-timer in the net at 12:31 for a 4-2 Danbury lead, the final straw in Elmiras disappointed downfall.
Goaltender Jayme Platt made 33 saves on 35 shots for the win in goal for Danbury, while Elmiras Nick Boucher stopped 32-of-36 shots in the loss. The Jackals were 2-for-9 on the power play in the game, while Danbury was 1-for-3.
Elmiras 6-game home stand comes to an end Saturday as Elmira hosts the Adirondack Frostbite for a 7:05 pm face off at the First Arena. Sunday Elmira will head to Danbury for a 7:00 pm match up in Connecticut.