Jackals' challenge withstood
March 19, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Reading Royals earned a 6-2 win over the Elmira Jackals on Friday night at First Arena in Elmira, N.Y. as the Royals countered with four-straight goals to earn the road victory and cut the Jackals' division lead to six points after the Jackals had fought back from an initial 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the second period.
Andrew Sarauer scored the first of his two goals at 6:55 of the first period, as Stefano Giliati caused a center-ice turnover and found Sarauer cutting in front who tipped it past Jackals goaltender Julien Ellis to make it 1-0 in favor of Reading.
At 13:09 of the first, a rebound off a Scott Langdon shot came to Ben Gordon on the doorstep who made it 2-0 with his 22nd goal of the season.
Guillaume Lepine notched his second goal of the season at 2:26 of the second period, shooting a puck from the left side that skipped past Royals goaltender Andrew Engelage to make it 2-1.
The Jackals tied the game at 10:49 of the middle period, when Yannick Tifu tipped a puck to Thomas Beauregard who fed Chris Korchinski in front to even the score 2-2.
The Royals wasted no time in reclaiming the lead as Ryan Cruthers' wrist shot from the left circle beat Ellis high stick side to give the Royals the advantage 51 seconds after the Jackals had tied the game.
At 14:02, the Royals' lead became two when Sarauer sprung Giliati on a breakaway who beat Ellis stick side to make it 4-2.
Sarauer gave the Royals a three-goal lead, sending in a loose puck off a blocked shot at 19:42 to up the Royals' advantage to 5-2 heading into the second intermission.
The lone goal of the third period was scored by Giliati at 2:52 with a quick wrister from the right circle that snuck over Ellis' right shoulder, making it 6-2 and capping the scoring.
Engelage improved to 7-2-0-0 with the Royals, earning a win in his first ever start against the Jackals as he made 30 saves on 32 shots. Ellis stopped 20 of 26 shots, falling to 13-5-1-1 with Elmira. He was replaced late by former Elmira College goaltender Casey Tuttle, who was perfect on four attempts.
The Jackals fell to 34-22-4-3 and had their four-game winning streak against the Royals snapped. Reading improved to 32-27-1-4 on the season.
Elmira is now six points in front of Reading for first place in the American East Division. The Royals are in action tomorrow against Johnstown. The Jackals do not play a game on Saturday for the first time this season. A Trenton loss in Charlotte kept the Jackals 10 points ahead of the Devils in the division.
The Jackals host the Johnstown Chiefs on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at First Arena. For tickets, visit the First Arena Box Office, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825).
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 19, 2010
- Florida Falls to South Carolina, 5-3 - Florida Everblades
- Royals Drop Jackals, 6-2 - Reading Royals
- Stefanishion Nets Two Including Game Winner; Munce Wins Sixth Straight Start - Charlotte Checkers
- Jackals' challenge withstood - Elmira Jackals
- Kalamazoo Clinches Playoff Birth with Win Over Wheeling - Kalamazoo Wings
- Wings top Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Johnson's Two Goals Help Stingrays Dump Everblades 5-3 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Toledo Squeaks Out 3-1 Win Over Cyclones - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Walleye Route Division Leaders - Toledo Walleye
- Mullen Recalled to Manchester - Ontario Reign
- Scott Fletcher and Rob Kwiet Assigned to Reading - Reading Royals
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Game Preview: Condors Vs. Victoria Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Add Two - Kalamazoo Wings
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Utah Grizzlies - Stockton Thunder
- Nailers Weekend Preview - Wheeling Nailers
- Nailers Add Backup Goalie Jarosz - Wheeling Nailers
- Jackals Game Preview: Reading At Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- Idaho Adds Pair Of Rookies To Roster - Idaho Steelheads
- Everblades Add Three Players, One Recalled - Florida Everblades
- Islanders Assign 31st Overall Pick Mikko Koskinen To Utah - Utah Grizzlies
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Swim South To Fight Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Stingrays Release Klaren - South Carolina Stingrays
- Aces Settle For Point In Vegas - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers Stun Aces In OT, 8-7 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Royals Fall In Shootout To Charlotte, 4-3 - Reading Royals
- Another Shootout Results In Checkers' Sixth Straight Win - Charlotte Checkers
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.
