News release
15 March 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013READING, Pa. - The Elmira Jackals, despite a persistent offensive attack, were held scoreless by the Reading Royals on Friday night at the Sovereign Center. The 2-0 loss was Elmira's first shutout loss of the season and sent them to back-to-back regulation losses for the first time in nearly two months. Elmira's record stands at 34-23-7.
The Jackals and Royals brought playoff-style intensity to the first period and both teams had to fight for every inch of open ice. One of the newest Jackals, Matt Tassone, earned Elmira's best chance of the period early on after taking a stretch pass from Jordon Southorn at center. Working in against goalie Riley Gill, Tassone spun and sent a wrist shot along the ice that just missed wide to the blocker side. Reading got its best chance of the period when it was awarded 1:15 of a 5-on-3, but could not manage a shot against Maxime Clermont. In all Clermont stopped 10 in the first and Gill swatted away seven to keep the teams off of the board.
The second was more of the same story for almost the entire frame. This time shots favored the Jackals 9-6, but Gill was stout, again, in turning away each attempt. The most ringing chance came on a shorthanded 2-on-1 between Rob Bellamy and Brandon Blandina. Blandina's centering pass set up Bellamy with a one-timer between the circles but Gill lunged left and made the arm save. Then, in the final minute, Reading turned the tide with a pair of goals 33 seconds apart. Kirk MacDonald scored with a diving shot from low on the right wing at 19:07, then set up Julien Cayer's doorstep goal at 19:40 and put Reading ahead going into the third.
The Jackals were a hungry pack around Reading's net the entire final 20 minutes and turned 18 shots on goal. Despite their best efforts, the Jackals could not find that first goal to spark the comeback; even with Clermont pulled for the extra attacker over the final 90 seconds. Elmira's defense was suffocating in keeping Reading to eight shots in the frame, so the Royals were never afforded a chance to build on their lead. But Gill's work in the crease was enough to ensure the two goals from the second period stood up.
Clermont shouldered his 12th loss of the season while making 22 saves. The Jackals ended the night 0-for-1 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.