News release
3 January 2012
Tuesday, January 03, 2012JACKALS END 2011 20-11, RETURN HOME THIS WEEKEND
The Elmira Jackals ended 2011 with a 20-11-0-0 record, bringing a six-game winning streak back to First Arena this Friday when they host the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:35 p.m.
Elmira is coming off its second four-win week of the season and third since joining the ECHL in 2007, sweeping the Atlantic Division with two victories over Wheeling and a win each against Reading and Trenton as the Jackals took sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.
On Monday, the Jackals returned home following a seven-game road trip and held off the Nailers in a shootout, 2-1. Elmira overcame a third-period deficit on Wednesday and defeated the Royals on the road in a shootout, 4-3. The Jackals fought back from a two-goal hole on Friday and beat the Nailers on home ice, 3-2. Elmira extended its winning streak on Saturday with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Titans in New Jersey.
With their victory on Saturday to end the month of December with an 11-2-0-0 record, the Jackals extended a plethora of streaks heading into the 2012 calendar year.
With three more shootout victories this past week, Elmira has now won eight-straight shootouts dating back to Mar. 16 of last season.
Center Mike Radja scored in all three shootouts this week and leads the league with six shootout goals on seven chances. Goaltender Nick Niedert was 5/5 in Monday's shootout against Wheeling, while netminder Brian Stewart is now a perfect 10-0 lifetime (7-0 in ECHL, 3-0 in AHL) in shootouts. The Burnaby, British Columbia native won two more shootouts this week. Stewart allowed his first-ever shootout goal in ECHL play on Saturday when Ray DiLauro scored in the fourth round on the 28th attempt-against in Stewart's career.
Jackals skaters are 15/27 this season in the shootout, scoring at a 55.6% clip, while the ECHL collectively is 110/408 (.270).
RADJA STARS IN "A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A JACKAL"
Mike Radja gives Jackals fans a behind-the-scenes look into the life of a Jackals player with his "A Day in the Life of a Jackal", which debuted on the team's YouTube page (YouTube.com/JackalsHockeyECHL) on Monday evening.
Included in the 20-minute video are interviews with other Jackals players and a look at life in the Jackals' locker room.