On The Brink Of First Place
Published on February 2, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals begin February just one point back of the Reading Royals for the top spot in the ECHL's American East Division, having made up most of what was once an 11-point deficit. The Jackals host the Wheeling Nailers at home on Friday before playing against the Royals in Reading on Saturday and closing out the week in Trenton against the Devils on Sunday.
When play began on Jan. 22, the Jackals trailed the Royals by eight points, but they have made up seven points in two weekends. Elmira has trailed Reading since play ended on Dec. 4, so with the Jackals on the verge of moving back into first for the first time in two months, this weekend's games promise to be intense.
LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
While the Jackals streak of games with seven goals or more was snapped in the 5-4 overtime loss to the Toledo Walleye on Sunday at First Arena, Elmira continues to lead the league at 4.00 goals per game. Over the last five games, the Jackals have scored 34 goals. Elmira is 16-0-0-0 when scoring five or more goals this season, and has scored seven or more goals in a win seven times this season.
RECAPPING JANUARY
The Jackals went 7-4-1-0 in the first month of 2010, upping their record to 22-17-3-2 this season. Mat Robinson tied for the ECHL lead with a +12 in January, and his +20 dating back to Dec. 26 leads the league since that point. Yannick Tifu tied for third in the league this past month with 22 points, and he leads the ECHL with 31 assists and 44 points since playing in his first game with the Jackals on Nov. 20. Tyler Donati was tied for fifth in January with 21 points.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Justin Donati is tied for the ECHL lead with 64 points with Utah's Ryan Kinasewich, while Tyler Donati is third, just one point back with 63. Tyler's 44 assists top the ECHL. Brennan Turner has a +32, at least +14 better than the rest of the competition. Olivier Proulx's four game-winning goals tie for ninth in the league and are the third most in the ECHL. Brett Gallant leads the ECHL with 20 major penalties.
THE JACKALS WOULD LIKE TO THANK...
Cole & Burd Automotive, sponsor of the Elmira Jackals and First Arena. Located in Mansfield, Pa., Cole & Burd is Mansfield's Buick, Cevrolet, and GMC dealer and your Williamsport Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC dealer. Their friendly, professional staff is ready to provide you with all the help you need.
BIG WEEKEND AWAITS
The Jackals lone home game of the weekend is against one of the ECHL's hottest teams right now, the Wheeling Nailers, heading into this week on a four-game winning streak, all against the American Conference-leading South Carolina Stingrays, and having won seven of their last ten games. Friday night is WYDC-TV Big Fox T-Shirt night at First Arena, with the game starting at 7:35 p.m.
Elmira's game on Saturday at Reading could be a battle for first place in the division, and on Super Bowl Sunday, the Jackals will try to do something they have not done all season, win a game against the Trenton Devils on the road.
COMMUNITY APPEARANCES
Tuesday, Feb 2: Skate with the Jackals night at Civic Center in Corning, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb 3: Kiwanis Club of Southport Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Jackals practices are open to the public, and unless otherwise noted are on the First Arena Main Rink.
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. (Rec Rink) Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. Thursday: 10:30 a.m.
To purchase tickets to First Arena events, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto Ticketmaster.com.
ECHL Stories from February 2, 2010
- Bryan Ewing Returned To Reading - Reading Royals
- Salmon Kings And Shaw Team Up For "Customer Appreciation Weekends" - Victoria Salmon Kings
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Salmon Kings' Painchaud And Taylor To Have Pink Jerseys Auctioned This Week - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Derlago Named ECHL Player Of The Week - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho's Derlago Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player Of The Week - ECHL
- Stockton's Pitton Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender Of The Week - ECHL
- Five Appearances This Week - Kalamazoo Wings
- Pitton Awarded Second ECHL Goaltender Of Week Honor - Stockton Thunder
- Salmon Kings Get Painchaud From Moose - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Salmon Kings Receive Siddall From Atlanta - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Wranglers Announce Nevada Cancer Institute Night - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Grizzlies In Canada Wednesday, Friday, Saturday - Utah Grizzlies
- Trenton's Pender Suspended One Game, Fined - ECHL
- On The Brink Of First Place - Elmira Jackals
- Siddall Reassigned To Victoria - Atlanta Gladiators
- Stingrays Weekly: Shorthanded Stingrays Fight Through Adversity - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gary Coleman Drops Puck In 4-1 Utah Win - Utah Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
