Jackals Win 3-2
January 2, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Wheeling, WV- The Elmira Jackals exploded for two second period special teams goals while Mitch O'Keefe turned aside 17 Wheeling shots in a 3-2 win at WesBanco Arena. With the win the Jackals pull within two points of the Dayton Bombers who occupy third place in the North Division, the Bombers have one game in hand.
The Jackals opened the scoring 12:06 into the first period when Josh Aspenlind netted his 12th goal of the season. After a Mitch O'Keefe turned aside a Wheeling scoring chance, Josh Aspenlind and Chris Korchinski entered the offensive zone two on one. Aspenlind faked a pass and put a quick shot past Curtis Darling. Korchinski and Couture would get the assists on the play.
The Jackals had an explosive second period, extending the lead to 2-0 at the 12:28 mark when Chris Korchinski netted his ninth goal of the season, a power play tally that was assisted by Brandon Roach and Wes Cunningham. Jackals forward Josh Aspenlind would show why he was selected as an ECHL All-Star at the 14:11 mark of the second. Shorthanded, Steve Yetman moved the puck up the right side boards where Josh Aspenlind won a foot race and put a perfect pass onto the tape for Nathan Lutz who blasted home his first goal of the season.
The Jackals 3-0 lead would stand all the way up to the 3:16 mark of the third when Wheeling's Erik Johnson beat Mitch O'Keefe. Ewing and Morrison got credited with the assists. The Nailers penalty kill unit pulled the game to 3-2 at the 10:19 mark when Brian Ewing centered a pass that hit the skate of Craig Switzer and deflected into the Jackals goal. The Nailers pressured in the final nine minutes of action but were unable to beat Jackals net minder Mitch O'Keefe he recorded his 11th win of the season.
With the win the Jackals improve to 16-13-1-3. The Nailers will remain in first place, despite their record falling to 20-6-1-4.
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