News release
3 December 2006
Moline, IL The Elmira Jackals won their 12th game of the season with a 5-4 shootout win over the Quad City Mallards Sunday afternoon at The MARK of the Quad Cites.
In the opening period, Mallards leading scorer Chad Woollard opened the scoring at 8:32 assisted by Don Parsons and Andre Lupandin. Quad City took advantage of four straight minor penalties called against the Jackals as Don Parsons cashed in for a 5-on-3 power play goal at 12:29 assisted by Lupandin and Brett Pilkington and a 2-0 Mallards lead. Rookie forward David Morelli got the Jackals on the board with his 9th goal of the season at 14:50. Frank Littlejohn and Chanse Fitzpatrick combined for a beautiful passing display that ended with Morelli rifling a shot from the face off dot into the top shelf over the shoulder of Quad City goaltender Zach Sikich. But the Mallards regained their 2-goal lead just before the end of the period. Matt Radoslovich scored a back-door goal from Blake Stewart at 19:09, stalling Elmiras momentum shift late in the period.
But the Jackals seemed undaunted by the late goal as they came out firing in the second period. Erik Anderson cut the Quad City lead to 3-2 with his 5th goal of the season at 6:50 assisted by Chris Mann and Scott Drevitch. Play opened up in the second period with both teams creating offense and featuring end to end action. The Jackals took advantage of a Quad City turnover to tie the game at three. Mark Scott stole the puck behind the Mallard net after defenseman Andrei Lupandin lost his footing behind the goal. Scott took a wrap-around shot that was blocked by Sikich, but Yevgeny Lazarev came away from the scramble in front with the puck and scored his 10th goal of the year at 18:25, leveling the game 3-3. The Jackals turned up their pressure in the second period, out-shooting the Mallards 20-12 in the middle stanza.
The Jackals grabbed their first lead of the game as Frank Littlejohn bombed home a power play goal at 4:58 of the third period, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Tommy Kotsopoulos. The Jackals clung to their slim lead and almost had an insurance goal on several occasions, but they couldnt hold off the Mallards. After using their time out with a minute left in the game and pulling Sikich for 6th attacker, Quad City forward Don Parsons fired a shot that beat Kris Tebbs at 19:19, tying the game 4-4 and forcing a shootout.
Elmira came out and demonstrated why they have an undefeated record in shootouts this season. Kris Tebbs was nearly perfect, stopping 3-of-4 attempts, allowing only one goal from Patrick Nadeau. Elmira rattled off three goals, Erik Anderson and Yevgeny Lazarev in the 1st and 3rd rounds, then captain Brent Cullaton sealed the victory with a goal in the 5th round.
Kris Tebbs earned the win for the Jackals, his 10th win of the season, stopping 30-of-34 shots in regulation and 3-of-4 in the shootout. Zach Sikich made 41 saves on 45 shots in regulation and blocked 2-of-5 in the shootout in the loss for Quad City.
The Jackals will return home to Elmira on Friday December 8th as they host the Fort Wayne Komets at 7:35 pm at First Arena for the first of a two-game home series with the Western Conferences 1st place team. The Jackals will also host the Komets on Saturday December 9th at 7:35 pm.
Make sure to tune in to the Jackals Coachs Show on Monday night at 6:00 pm at The Pioneer Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Elmira. Join host Owen Newkirk with guests Jackals Head Coach Kris Waltze, forward Marc Lefebvre and R.C. Lyke for the 1-hour show.