News release
14 April 2012
Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals were blanked by the Florida Everblades in Game 2 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday night at First Arena, 5-0. The Everblades tied the series at a game apiece as the teams now head to Estero, Fla. for Games 3, 4, and 5.
Florida outshot Elmira 10-4 in the opening period and as a result was able to establish a 2-0 lead after one. Brayden Irwin flipped in a rebound past Brian Stewart's glove with the Everblades on a power play at 2:16 while Matt Marquardt knocked in a rebound at 9:12 for Florida's two first-period tallies.
The Everblades took command in the second period, receiving two goals from Trevor Bruess and one from Leight Salters. Bruess tipped in a Bobby Raymond shot at 3:18 and then deked Stewart backhand, forehand at 5:54, chasing Elmira's netminder from the contest. Salters snapped a centering feed from Cedric McNicoll past Timo Pielmeier at 19:54, as Florida built a 5-0 lead after two periods.
Pat Nagle replaced John Muse in the Florida net at the start of the third period and stopped all eight shots he saw. Muse (4-1) turned aside all 11 shots he saw in the first two periods. Stewart (4-2) made 11 saves on 15 shots in 25:54 of game time. Pielmeier was 16 of 17 in relief.
The Jackals and the Everblades head to Florida for Games 3, 4, and 5 of the series this Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with all games starting at 7:30 p.m. If necessary, Elmira and Florida will return to First Arena for Games 6 and 7 on Monday, Apr. 23 and Wednesday, Apr. 25 at 7:05 p.m.
The game marked the first time the Jackals were shut out since Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, when they fell to the Greenville Road Warriors, 2-0. Elmira was not shut out during the 2011-2012 regular season. The Everblades outshot the Jackals, 32-19, in the win and have outshot Elmira in the first two games of the series, 78-38. The loss for Elmira was its first on home ice since Mar. 16, when the Jackals fell to the Everblades, 3-2. Elmira had won five-straight home playoff games dating back to Game 2 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals