News release
17 December 2008
Duluth, GA- The Elmira Jackals started their longest road trip of the season with a bang, beating the Gwinnet Gladiators 5-3 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Mitch OKeefe turned aside 40 shots on the evening to boost the Jackals to their first win in four games.
The scoring got started late in the first period when Gwinnetts Brandon Kaleniecki buried a pass from Brad Shell at the 16:49 mark on the power play. The Jackals fired right back with a goal from Paul McIllveen at the 17:03 mark. Travis Gawryletz took a pass from Beniot Doucet and threw it on goal, McIlveen was there to put home the rebound.
The score was deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the second. The Jackals took their first lead of the game just 3:41 into the second when Steve Yetman netted his 13th of the year. Faubert and Aspenlind would get the assists. The Gladiators fired back with a goal from Graham with three minutes to play in the second to even the game at 2-2.
The Jackals would again get the early advantage in the third period. Just 1:09 into the final frame Benoit Doucet notched his fourth goal of the year. The Gladiators again tied the game this time at the 4:28 mark with a goal from Jordan Fox. The Jackals would continue the pressure and break goaltender Josh Johnson with a Josh Aspenlind goal at the 12:41 mark, the game winner. The Jackals added the icing on the cake with one second to play in the contest, an empty net goal from Paul McIlveen.
Mitch OKeefe ended the night with 40 saves while Johnson ended up with 29. The Jackals improve to 12-10-0-3 while the Gladiators fall to 11-10-0-4.