News release
24 February 2012
Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals (32-19-2-2) put together their third-straight two-goal comeback of the week on Friday night, rallying with three unanswered tallies to defeat the Reading Royals (25-23-3-4) at First Arena, 3-2.
For the third time in as many games this week, the Jackals fell behind 2-0 early on. Reading took advantage of a Jackals defensive-zone turnover, with Dennis McCauley finishing off the opportunity by snapping a puck past Timo Pielmeier's glove from the left circle to give the Royals a 1-0 lead at 2:29. Dale Mitchell took a Yannick Tifu feed at 9:33 and fired it in from the right circle to extend the advantage to 2-0 at 9:33.
The Jackals fought back in the second period, getting to within a goal early on in the frame. Artem Demkov capitalized on a centering feed from Dustin Gazley by backhanding a puck in at 5:56, making it 2-1.
Elmira wasted no time in the third period in knotting the score up. Mario Larocque fired a puck from straightaway at the blue line 34 seconds into the final frame that whistled past Karel St. Laurent, tying the contest, 2-2.
The Jackals continued to pressure St. Laurent as the period progressed, and eventually Elmira broke through for its first lead. Craig Rivet drove a centering feed by Rob Bellamy in from the right circle at 7:28, putting Elmira in front, 3-2.
Pielmeier (12-8-1-2) had to make only 15 saves in the win as Elmira limited Reading to 17 shots, the lowest total against the Jackals this season. St. Laurent (4-9-0-0) turned aside 33 of 36 Elmira bids.
The Jackals maintained their three-point lead in the Atlantic Division over Wheeling, as the Nailers defeated the Toledo Walleye on Friday, 4-3. Elmira is now alone in second place in the conference with 68 points.
Elmira heads to Trenton for battles with the Titans on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5:00 p.m.
Elmira now has a league-leading 10 victories when trailing after two periods this season. The Jackals have won eight games when trailing by two goals in 2011-2012. The win was Elmira's 21st comeback victory of the season. Each of Elmira's last eight wins have been in comeback fashion. All eight of Elmira's victories against Reading this season have been comeback wins. Gazley extended his point streak to 12 games (6g-11a) while Demkov lengthened his to 10 games (4g-7a).Larocque's power-play goal was his sixth of the season, putting him into a tie for first place on the team in that category with Mike Radja. Rivet's goal was his first as a Jackal at First Arena, his third overall with Elmira, and his first game winner