News release
15 April 2009
Elmira, NY- The Elmira Jackals entertained the home crowd for the first time in the post season tonight with a 5-0 win over the Trenton Devils. Michael Teslak turned aside 32 shots in the stellar performance, with Pierre-Luc Faubert, Chaz Johnson and Chris Korchinski each having two point nights. The Jackals hold a 2-1 series lead and host the Devils tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday, April 18th at 7:35 p.m. Get your tickets now at 734-PUCK.
The opening period of tonights contest opened just like the third period of game two ended. Intense. The Jackals closed out two Trenton power plays in the opening frame and rallied around 10 saves from Michael Teslak and two big hits from Kaleb Betts. The Jackals found themselves on the power play with under two minutes to play in the first period. In his first game back from a 20 game stint in the AHL, Brandon Roach took full advantage of the special teams chance when he blasted home a slap shot from the blue line. Paul McIlveen and Chris Korchinski assisted on the play. Despite being out shot 10-7, the Jackals went to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.
The Jackals put their skate on the gas peddle and opened the second period with goals 14 seconds apart. The first came at the 2:49 mark when Kaleb Betts sent a pass from the top of the circle to Colton Yellow Horn in front of the net, his shot was turned away by Trenton keeper Gerald Coleman but Brendan Connolly was there to smash home the rebound on the blocker side. Off of the ensuing face off Chaz Johnson brought the puck into the offensive zone along the near boards, he skated to the face off dot on Colemans glove side and unleashed a shot that was tipped by Pierre-Luc Faubert for his third goal of the post season. The Jackals were anchored by stellar goaltending from Michael Teslak in the middle period. Teslak made the save of the game on a Jackals turnover inside the defensive zone late in the second. Teslak was awarded a standing ovation from the First Arena crowd after the monster glove save. The Jackals held the 3-0 lead after 40 minutes of play.
The Jackals kept their foot on the gas peddle in the third period and shifted into high gear on the penalty kill at the 7:02 mark. Josh Aspenlind broke the puck out to center ice and put a perfect pass on the tape of Steve Yetman who beat Coleman five hole on a second attempt on the breakaway. The Jackals then extended the lead to 5-0 at the 16:08 mark when Pierre-Luc Faubert netted his second of the game and fourth of the post season. Faubert was assisted by Chaz Johnson and Chris Korchinski. The Jackals kept the Devils scoreless thanks to superb goaltending from Michael Teslak who ended the night as the star of the game with a 32 save shutout.
The Jackals take the 2-1 series advantage and host Trenton tomorrow night for game number four at 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, April 16th and Saturday, April 18th at 7:35 p.m. ticketmaster.com.