News release
18 March 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012Elmira Jackals (39-22-2-2) vs. Wheeling Nailers (35-23-4-3)
The Elmira Jackals host the Wheeling Nailers in a critical Atlantic Division contest at 4:05 p.m. at First Arena. The Jackals extended their division lead to five points over the Nailers with a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades on Saturday night at First Arena and a 4-3 overtime loss by Wheeling last night to the Reading Royals. Elmira has won six of 11 games against Wheeling this season, defeating the Nailers in the most recent battle, 3-2, on Feb. 29.
The Jackals today have their first chance to clinch a postseason berth, as Elmira would seal a position in the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a victory over Wheeling and a loss by the Chicago Express to the Trenton Titans at the Sears Centre. The Jackals would also wrap up a playoff spot with an overtime or shootout loss to the Nailers, a regulation loss by the Express, and any form of a loss by the Royals to the Everblades.
With a goal and two assists on Saturday, Dustin Gazley skated into a three-way tie with Colorado's Chad Costello and Greenville's Justin Bowers for first place in the ECHL with 76 points. Gazley is on a six-game points streak (2g-9a) and has posted points in 27 of the last 29 games. He has a 19-point advantage over Cincinnati's Mathew Sisca for first place in scoring among ECHL rookies.