News release
29 March 2010
The Elmira Jackals will attempt to make their final regular season home game of 2009-2010 a memorable one on Wednesday night when they take on the Reading Royals at First Arena. A regulation win for the Jackals would give them their first division title since joining the ECHL in 2007.
The Jackals, who clinched a playoff berth on Sunday, lead the Royals for first place in the American Conference's East Division by three points and would need a regulation victory to clinch the division. The winner of the East Division is guaranteed to play the Florida Everblades in the first round of the playoffs in the 3/6 pairing, as the Everblades have clinched the sixth seed in the conference and the East Division's winner can do no better than the third seed.
Although the Jackals fell to the Trenton Devils on Sunday on the road, Elmira sealed its playoff spot as a result of a Gwinnett Gladiators' loss to the Everblades.
With the Jackals threatening to have a long playoff run, fans are advised to get their tickets ahead of time so they don't miss any of the exciting action at First Arena as the Jackals battle for the Kelly Cup.
Jackals head coach Steve Martinson has now reached the playoffs in each of his 15 seasons at the helm of a team, and has brought the Jackals to the postseason in each of his three years leading Elmira.
Martinson has won six league championships as a coach - five in the WCHL with the San Diego Gulls and one with the Rockford IceHogs in the UHL's final season in 2006-2007 - and will have a chance to earn his seventh as he tries to prime the Jackals for a deep postseason run.
When Thomas Beauregard scored at 15:50 of the second period on Sunday he gave the Jackals their 261st goal of the season, which set a new team record for goals in one season. The previous high of 260 was set in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, the Jackals' first two seasons of competition. Elmira has 262 goals this season after Beauregard scored in the third period of Sunday's game and the Jackals lead the league with 3.80 goals per game.
Holiday Inn, for their support of the Elmira Jackals. The Holiday Inn-Riverview serves as the Jackals' host hotel and offers great rates to travelers passing through Elmira.