News release
5 January 2013
Saturday, January 05, 2013READING, Pa. - Tonight the Elmira Jackals finish a home-and-home pair of games by visiting the Reading Royals for the second time this season. The Jackals are gunning for three wins in a row for the first time since mid-November.
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Ottawa/NHL & Binghamton/AHL (16-14-3) vs. Reading Royals - Washington/NHL and Hershey/AHL (23-8-2)
The Jackals are facing the Royals tonight for the seventh of 16 meetings this season and second of eight at Sovereign Center. The Jackals are 2-2-2 against the Royals this season and broke a four-game skid against them last night. That record includes an 0-0-1 mark on the road. Last night's win allowed Elmira to break Reading's string of 11 straight games with a standings point but the Royals are still 22-3-1 in their last 26 games. Elmira has won four of its last five games in an attempt to close the gap on the first place Royals. The teams face off four times this month (three in Reading), but after Jan. 21 the rivalry will take a break until a Feb. 6 meeting in Elmira.
Strong special teams play is quickly becoming a hallmark of the 2012-13 Jackals. Entering play tonight they rank second in the league on the power play (1st on road) and while the PK is 14th overall, it is 18th in the league on the road (75.5 percent). Staying disciplined has helped the PK a great deal. The Jackals are seventh with 16.15 penalty minutes per game and first in times shorthanded at 119. The Jackals' power play has succeeded despite having the fewest chances (117) in the league.