News release
15 January 2012
Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals, despite 34 saves and a strong effort by goaltender Brian Stewart, dropped a 2-1 decision to the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night at First Arena. In the loss, Elmira's 10-game point streak came to a close, as the Jackals sufferred their first regulation defeat since Dec. 16.
Mike Devin drove a puck toward the net that skipped off the ice and past Stingrays goaltender Philipp Grubauer, putting Elmira up 1-0 at 9:48 of the first on Devin's first goal since opening night.
Chris Doyle redirected a Zach Tarkir shot past Stewart, tying the game with a power-play goal at 18:08 of the opening frame.
South Carolina threatened in the second period to take the lead, outshooting Elmira 13-6 in the middle stanza and 26-11 overall through 40 minutes. Stewart stood tall in net though, with 25 stops through two periods.
Maxime Lacroix finished off a rebound off his own shot from the right goal line, pushing a puck past Stewart's glove at 4:08 of the third for the Stingrays' second power-play strike, giving South Carolina a 2-1 advantage.
The Jackals pressured Grubauer late in the contest, but could not solve the rookie goaltender again before time expired.
Stewart dropped to 14-6-0-0, ending a personal four-game winning streak. Grubauer extended his winning streak to four games with a 17-save effort.
The loss ended Elmira's eight-game home winning streak, as the Jackals fell at First Arena for the first time since Nov. 25. The Jackals' nine-game Saturday winning streak ended as well, as Elmira dropped a Saturday decision for the first time since Oct. 29, also against the Stingrays. Elmira fell in regulation in a one-goal contest for the first time since Nov. 11. The 10-game point streak equaled the Jackals' longest mark within one ECHL season, accomplished previously in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010