News release
10 November 2006
Frank Littlejohn Celebrates His Hat Trick Friday In Bloomington (photo courtesy of Mike Gurnsey)
The Jackals continued to dominate opponents while they have men in the penalty box Friday night in their first every encounter with expansion Bloomington. Erik Anderson got the Jackals on the board at 6:07 of the first period, Elmiras 8th short-handed goal of the season, snapping a beautiful shot into the top shelf as he finished off a two-on-one rush with teammate Scott Wray. Frank Littlejohn made it 2-0 Jackals at 9:54, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Dale Lupul, which induced Bloomington head coach Derek Booth to pull starting goaltender Jeff Reynaert in favor for backup Steffan Braunlich. Newly acquired forward Alex Goupil put Bloomington on the board at 13:33, but Littlejohn answered to put Elmira back up by two goals. The feisty winger stole a pass at the red line, skated down the right wing and blasted a shot through Braunlich for his second of the game at 19:28, Elmiras second short-handed goal of the period, unassisted for a 3-1 lead.
In the second period the hosts again drew closer on a Mathieu Brunelle goal at 5:45, assisted by Goupil and Tyler Rennette. However, Littlejohn had another rebuttal up his sleeve. Erik Anderson found the Oshawa, Ontario native open in the slot and Littlejohn roofed a wrist shot over the glove of Braunlich at 15:15, completing his Hat Trick with a power play goal, assisted by Anderson and goaltender Kris Tebbs.
In the third period Bloomington made it interesting as Tyler Rennette scored at 7:02, assisted by Brunelle and Ryan Gillis, trimming the Jackals lead to 4-3. Bloomington upped the pressure, but Tebbs and the Jackals survive the home teams onslaught. Yevgeny Lazarev tallied an empty net goal at 19:32, assisted by Anderson, capping the game 5-3.
Goaltender Kris Tebbs earned his 5th win of the season in 6 starts, making 38 saves on 41 shots in goal for the Jackals. Bloomington starter Jeff Reynaert made just 2 saves on 4 shots, before being pulled after 9:54 of the first period. Steffan Braunlich was credited with the loss, stopping 24-of-26 shots faced. Elmira was 1-for-3 on the power play and scored 2 short-handed goals. Bloomington was 0-for-4 on the power play, which was Elmiras least number of power plays conceded this season.