News release
1 February 2012
Elmira, N.Y. - Despite an early highlight-reel goal by Rob Bellamy on Wednesday night at First Arena, the Elmira Jackals (26-15-1-1) could not keep up with the Wheeling Nailers (24-16-2-1), falling 4-1. The regulation loss was Elmira's first in 15 games against an Atlantic Division opponent.
Bellamy recorded his skillful goal to put the Jackals on the board at 12:21. The Westfield, Mass. native took the puck at his blue line, sped through the neutral zone before splitting Nailers defensemen in the Wheeling end, and then fired a puck past goaltender Peter Delmas to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead.
A pair of tipped shots put Wheeling in front entering the first intermission. Paul Crowder redirected in a shot by Adam Ross to tie the game, 1-1, at 13:07. Ross then shot a puck from the high slot that Zack Torquato tipped in at 16:41, putting Wheeling in front, 2-1.
Ben Farrer backhanded a rebound past Jackals goaltender Brian Stewart at 7:03 of the second, extending the Nailers' advantage to 3-1.
Delmas came through with multiple big third-period saves, including a right-pad stop on a two-on-none short-handed bid by Elmira. Peter Lenes contributed a late empty netter for Wheeling.
Stewart fell to 15-7-0-0 with 35 saves. Delmas, behind 29 stops, improved to 10-6-0-0.
Elmira was 13-0-1-0 in its last 14 Atlantic contests, with that streak beginning on Nov. 26. The Jackals' last divisional loss in regulation was on Nov. 25 to Trenton. Dustin Gazley's six-game point streak ended in the defeat. Mario Larocque's five-game assist streak also came to a close