News release
26 December 2011
Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals returned to First Arena for their first home game since Dec. 3 on Monday night and earned their fifth shootout victory of the season, defeating the Wheeling Nailers 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 4,193 fans. Jackals goaltender Nick Niedert denied all five Nailers' attempts in the shootout, with Elmira netminders improving to 21-for-21 on opponent shootout bids this season.
After a scoreless first period, Kevin Harvey redirected a Rob Bellamy blue-line bid through the pads of Nailers goaltender Patrick Killeen, putting Elmira up 1-0 at 7:22 of the second.
The Jackals took the lead into the third period, but Peter Merth, coming out of the penalty box, broke in by himself and wristed a puck past Niedert's stick to even the score, 1-1, at 5:39, eventually forcing overtime.
After a scoreless sudden-death period, the Jackals put their 4-0 shootout record on the line. Brian Stewart set the bar for Elmira before his recall to the AHL's Binghamton Senators, turning aside all 16 opponent attempts in the Jackals' first four shootouts of the season. Niedert followed Stewart's path, turning in an impeccable effort in the post-overtime breakaway session to improve to 2-0 in his ECHL career. Mike Radja scored the only shootout goal, snapping a puck over Killeen's glove from the right circle in the second round.
Niedert set aside 22 shots in regulation and sudden death for his second win in as many games. Killeen made 30 saves on 31 shots, falling to 9-6-1-1.
Elmira has nine-straight victories in games decided by one goal, having not lost a one-goal decision since Nov. 11. With the win, the Jackals extended their lead over the Nailers to two points for first place in the Atlantic Division, having prevailed in 10 of their last 12 contests.