News release
22 March 2010
After a win on Sunday afternoon against the Johnstown Chiefs, the Elmira Jackals enter the ECHL's second-to-last week of the regular season close to solidifying a spot in the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
The Jackals, with 77 points, currently occupy the third spot in the American Conference. Only one team can beat out the Jackals for a playoff spot that is currently outside of the playoff picture, the Gwinnett Gladiators, who can earn a possible 81 points by winning their final seven games. Two wins over the final eight games gives Elmira a birth in the playoffs. The Trenton Devils could tie the Jackals by winning their remaining six games to get to 77 points, but Elmira would win the first head-to-head tiebreaker based on having more wins.
The Jackals have a six-point lead with a game in hand on the Reading Royals for first place in the American East Division. In a scenario that Reading wins each of its final seven games, the Jackals would need nine points the rest of the way to clinch the division.
Tyler Donati is one point away from becoming the first Jackal in the team's ten years to reach 100 points in a season. He would become the 64th player in ECHL history to reach the century mark in a season. That number has been reached each of the last two seasons, including 102 by Florida's Kevin Baker who led the league with that total last season.
The Elmira Jackals have not lost a road game since the All-Star Break, winning eight-straight away contests beginning on Jan. 22. The streak is the longest current one in the ECHL and ties Idaho for the longest this season. The all-time record is 10-straight road wins, accomplished three times, most recently by the Long Beach Ice Dogs in 2006, a team that had current Jackals defenseman Derick Martin on its roster.
The Labatt Blue/Seneca Beverage Elmira Jackals Alumni Game will be played on Saturday at First Arena, as the Jackals' alumni take on the Elmira Fire and Police Departments.
The game will feature some of the most popular Jackals players from past years. Eddy Lowe, Carl Drakensjo, Tom Clayton, James Sheehan, Trevor Burgess, Mike Thompson, and Ryan McIntosh are among the players expected to return to Elmira for this night in which memories will come to life.
After the game, the Jackals will hold a party to celebrate the game at a local area establishment, with exact location to be determined. The players will also be available for a meet and greet with fans after the Jackals' game against the Devils on Friday.
Pathways, Inc. for their support of the Elmira Jackals and First Arena. Pathways is a not-for-profit human service organization serving approximately 2,000 individuals and families in upstate New York, including Chemung County. They provide an array of services through six core programs, including Developmental Disabilities, Child and Family, Mental Health, Traumatic Brain Injury, Nursing Home Transition and Diversion, and Home Care Services.