News release
1 April 2005
Fraser, MI The Motor City Mechanics made it two straight victories over the Elmira Jackals with a 5-2 victory at Great Lakes Arena Friday night.
Playing their first game against Motor City this season with the NHL players in the lineup, Sean Avery was scratched with a hand injury, the Jackals matched the Mechanics intensity in the first period. But in a penalty-riddled first period Motor City would take the lead when Rick Smith backhanded a rebound past Greg Hewitt at 17:07 assisted by Chris Chelios and Derian Hatcher. There were a total of seven minors called by referee Shaun Davis.
The Jackals began the second period on the power play but it was the Mechanics who would score during Elmiras advantage. Bryan Smolinski scored a short-handed goal at 1:13, which sparked Motor City to a big second period. Smith scored his second goal of the game at 12:38 and then Joe Burton finished off a beautiful feed from Blair Manning to make it 4-0 at 13:49. 50 seconds later Elmira got on the scoreboard, quickly answering with a goal from Derek Cambell at 14:39. Campbell put home a rebound from Alex Mathieu and Jason Sessa to give Elmira some life going into the final period.
In the third period Motor City seemed to be coasting on their three goal lead and Elmira was eager to capitalize. The Jackals cut the lead to two at 13:59 when leading scorer Jason Sessa flat-out blasted a shot threw rookie goalie Zach Sikich from the top of the left face-off circle, Sessas 33rd goal of the year. But their comeback stalled there and Burton grabbed his second goal of the evening at 19:30 to finish off the win 5-2.
Zach Sikich earned the win in his first professional start by stopping 25-of-27, while Greg Hewitt turned aside a colossal 53 shots in goal for Elmira.
Elmira next moves west for a Saturday match up with the top ranked Muskegon Fury at the L.C. Walker Arena at 7:40 pm. Sunday they are back in Motor City for the final game of the week-long road trip, a 5:00 pm face off. The Jackals next home game is on Friday April 8th, as they host the Adirondack Frostbite at 7:30 pm at the First Arena.