News release
25 March 2006
Roanoke, VA The Elmira Jackals scored three third period goals to beat the Roanoke Valley Vipers 6-4 Saturday night at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Fresh off their first home win in regulation since January 21st, the Jackals stormed into Roanoke with renewed confidence. Konstantin Kalmikov put Elmira in front early as he scored at 4:56 of the 1st period, assisted by Jason Sessa and Sam Paolini. Roanokes Matt Elich scored an unassisted, short-handed goal at 10:25 to tie the game at one. Elmira answered with a short-handed goal of their own, scored by Kevin Cooper at 16:04 for a 2-1 lead. But Jan Jas scored the third unassisted goal of the period to level the score 2-2 at 18:42. Roanoke out-shot Elmira 23-9 in the first period, but the outstanding play of Jackals goalie Matt Meacham was the difference in the game.
In the second period Alex Jerofejevs gave Roanoke their only lead of the game, a power play goal at 5:12. But the Jackals struck back when Kalmikov scored his second goal of the game at 7:03, assisted by Paolini and Carl Drakensjo, tying the game at three.
Elmira blew the game wide open in the third period, scoring three more times in a row. First Craig MacDonald put the Jackals in the lead 4-3 with a goal at 2:04 from Cooper and John Donnelly. Jarrett Konkle made it 5-3 at 9:41, assisted by Jason Sessa and Bobby Gates, Konkles 32nd goal of the season. Anthony Blumer scored the Jackals 6th goal of the game at 17:11, tipping a shot from Trevor Burgess in for a power play goal; Burgess and Chris Chaput getting assists. Roanoke scored a late consolation goal at 18:50 from John Osborne to finish the scoring at 6-4.
Matt Meacham earned his 2nd straight win, and is a perfect 2-for-2 while starting for the Jackals, making 37 saves on 41 shots. Shawn Conschafter stopped 24-of-30 in the loss for Roanoke.
The Jackals will take on the Vipers again on Sunday at 5:00 pm to finish off the weekend. Next week the Jackals will head to Danbury for a Friday match up with the Trashers. They will return to the First Arena Saturday, April 1st as they host Roanoke for a 7:05 pm face off.