News release
22 November 2006
Frank Littlejohn and Brent Cullaton Celebrate Littlejohn's Penalty Shot Goal Wednesday Against Chicago
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals reclaimed sole possession of 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with a solid 4-1 victory of the Chicago Hounds Wednesday night at the First Arena.
Chicago shocked the large Wednesday night crowd of 3,693 at First Arena (the biggest Wednesday night attendance recorded by the Jackals in the last four years) with a quick goal at 1:45 of the first period. Paul Caponigri scored from Kris Vernarsky and Chris Busby on a rebound from a Vernarsky shot that the Jackals defense failed to clear, leaving goaltender Kris Tebbs strandedit would be the only time on the evening that particular situation occurred. Shortly after the next face off Curtis Tidball dropped the gloves with Chicagos Chris Gehrke, a bout that lasted more than a minute before the linemen would break things up. Tidballs move seemed to quell the Hounds momentum and ultimately led to Elmiras equalizing goal. Captain Brent Cullaton finished off a perfect saucer pass from Tommy Kotsopoulos for a short-handed goal at 12:55 of the 1st period. The goal was Cullatons 4th of the season and the Jackals 11th short-handed goal this year.
In the second period the two teams played equally for the first half of the period, but again the home side stepped on the gas and began to dictate the pace. While on a penalty kill, Cullaton poked a loose puck forward to Frank Littlejohn, who then raced in on a breakaway. Littlejohn had gotten behind the last Chicago defenseman, but was hauled down from behind and Referee Eric Ernst awared Littlejohn and the Jackals a penalty shot at 14:43. Amidst a roaring crowd, Littlejohn sped in on Hounds goalie Marty Magers, faked to his forehand, then switched to his backhand a lifted the puck into the roof of the net for a 2-1 lead. Littlejohns penalty shot goal was his 8th goal of the season; it was Elmiras UHL-leading 12th short-handed goal, their second of the game, and was the eventual game-winning goal. The Jackals poured on the pressure and got an insurance goal when Scott Wray banged in a shot from the left face off circle, his 8th goal of the year, assisted by Erik Anderson and R.C. Lyke at 16:54 of the 2nd period.
The third period was the Jackals most dominate of the game, as they out-shot Chicago 18-10 in the final twenty minutes. Rookie forward David Morelli scored his 7th goal of the season at 11:40 of the third when he ripped a wrist-shot from the left face off circle up over the glove of Magers. Tommy Kotsopoulos and Marc Lefebvre assisted Morellis goal, essentially sealing the victory for the Jackals. Elmira goaltender Kris Tebbs made some incredible saves in the third period as he preserved his one-goal game.
Kris Tebbs earned his 8th win of the season by stopping 38-of-39 shots to lift the Jackals to their 10th win of the year. Marty Magers was strong in goal, but took the loss for the Hounds, making 40 saves on 44 shots. Both teams finished 0-for-7 on the power play, but the Jackals scored two short-handed goals, including Frank Littlejohns penalty shot goal.
After enjoying your Thanksgiving Holiday, come out and see round two of the Jackals versus the Hounds on Friday, November 24th at 7:35 pm. Friday night is Foster Children Poster Night. November is Foster Child Awareness month and in honor of the occasion, the Jackals have teamed up with FirstFlight, Oral & Facial Surgery of the Southern Tier, Kountry Krullers, CCSD Federal Credit Union and Lafrance Equipment to help send children in the Chemung County Foster Program to a Jackals game. Together with their outstanding partners, the Jackals were able to present over 150 tickets to local Foster children. Furthermore, every fan in attendance Friday night will receive a Jackals Foster Childrens Poster courtesy of the sponsors listed above.
Saturday, November 25th marks the last of the three-game series with Chicago and is sure to be the most intensely contested match of the weekend. Saturday is a 99.5 FM WOKN promotional night and New York Sport & Fitness Water Bottle Giveaway Night; the first 1,000 fans will receive a Jackals Sports Water Bottle courtesy of New York Sport & Fitness, the official workout facility of the Elmira Jackals. Face off for Saturday night is scheduled for 7:35 pm.