Donati twins help Jackals stun Nailers

Published on February 12, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals, behind four points each from Justin and Tyler Donati including a hat trick from the former, overcame an early three-goal deficit to stun the Wheeling Nailers 4-3 on Friday night at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.V. The victory extended the Jackals' division lead to seven points and their regulation unbeaten streak to nine games.

In the first period, the Nailers were opportunistic, scoring three times on eight shots on Jackals starting goaltender Julien Ellis.

The first was a short-handed goal at 3:40, when Aaron Clarke put in a shot from the right circle to give the Nailers the 1-0 lead.

That lead became 2-0 when Thomas Beauregard's backhander from the left circle beat Ellis stick side at 15:53.

Just nine seconds later, Kevin Schmidt sent the puck ahead to Jordan Fox, who skated from the blue line in on Ellis, beating him glove side to give the Nailers the 3-0 lead.

Elmira goaltender Andy Chiodo replaced Ellis at the start of the second period. It was Chiodo's first appearance in Wheeling since playing for the Nailers in 41 games over three seasons, the latest in 2005-2006.

The Jackals turned the momentum early in the second period with a goal at 5:27 from Justin Donati, as his slap shot from the right circle beat Nailers goaltender Adam Berkhoel low glove side to put the Jackals on the scoreboard. Tyler Donati had the primary assist on the goal after he took the puck from R.J. Anderson.

Elmira entered the third period trailing 3-1, but closed the gap quickly. At 2:42, Tyler Donati kept the puck in at the blue line, chipped the puck ahead to Justin Donati who was cutting ahead to the net, and he lifted the puck past Berkhoel to make it a one-goal game.

The Jackals even the score at 9:01, when Olivier Proulx fed Justin Donati, and his slap shot from the left circle soared past Berkhoel to make it 3-3. The goal gave Justin his second hat trick of the season. Tyler Donati had the secondary assist for his third of the game and league-leading 50th of 2009-2010.

It was a Donati who gave the Jackals the lead, but this time Tyler had the goal, which proved to be the game winner. His shot from the high slot found its way to the back of the net at 13:36 to give the Jackals their first advantage in the contest. It was his third game-winning goal in the last three games, and fourth of the season after not recording one until Jan. 30. Justin Donati had an assist on the play for his fourth point of the game.

Chido earned his first victory for the Jackals, stopping a few final Nailers chances while making a total of 21 saves on 21 shots in the last two periods, improving to 1-0-0-0 as the Jackals won 4-3. Berkhoel fell to 7-6-0-2, making 28 saves on 32 Jackals shots.

With their four points, the Donati brothers moved into first place in the ECHL with 73 points each.

A Reading Royals loss at the Trenton Devils on Friday gave the Jackals a seven-point advantage in the American East Division. One week ago, the Jackals overtook first place for the first time since early December.

The Jackals have earned points in all nine games since the all-star break, with eight victories in those contests. A win or an overtime apperarance on Saturday night against the Nailers would tie the Jackals best mark since they joined the ECHL of ten games with a point.

Elmira improved to 26-17-2-2 while Wheeling's record dropped to 26-21-2-2.

The Jackals and the Nailers battle Saturday night at WesBanco Arena at 7:35 p.m.

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ECHL Stories from February 12, 2010


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