Elmira Outshines Florida For Game 2 Win

April 6, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


ESTERO, Fla. - Six third period goals lifted the Elmira Jackals to an 8-2 win over the Florida Everblades in Game 2. The Saturday night victory at Germain Arena tied the series at one game each with Game 3, Game 4, and Game 5 on tap next week at First Arena.

After a penalty minute-filled final minute of Game 1, the hostilities carried over to Game 2 as the Jackals and Everblades combined for 26 penalty minutes in the first period. Florida was awarded three power plays while Elmira had a pair. The Everblades were more opportunistic and cashed in courtesy of Mathieu Roy with just over seven minutes remaining in the frame. Roy poked it past goalie Ian Keserich who lunged to try to cover up. The Jackals ramped up the offense with three shots on a power play within the final 1:45 of the period, but could not get a shot past Florida's Jesse Deckert.

The offense finally began to click to life for Elmira near the midpoint of the second period. With Chaz Johnson camped in front, Andrew Rowe sniped a wrist shot over Deckert's blocker for his first goal of the playoffs. Johnson and Matt Carter assisted. Florida answered back a few minutes later, thought, with its second power play goal of the game. This time it came off of a faceoff win by A.J. Jenks and Matt Pistilli put the finishing touch on his first goal if the series. Elmira answered right back when the Jackals were awarded a penalty shot for a Florida skater covering up the puck in the crease. Louie Caporusso swooped in from the right wing and beat Deckert clean for his first to tie the game at two heading into the third.

After a few tense moments early, the Jackals wiped away any doubt of the outcome with its six goal explosion. Florida was given an early power play when Ryan Palmer was whistled for holding. But the Jackals did the damage over that two minute span when Jordan Pietrus blocked a point shot to create a 2-on-0 rush for himself and Rob Bellamy. Bellamy put it on the platter and Pietrus finished it off for the eventual game winning goal. What followed next was a barrage of five goals in the span of 9:24. Pietrus started the party with his second at 10:08, and Matt Tassone capped it off with his first with 28 second to play. In between Johnson scored a pair and Rowe added his second of the night to give the Jackals more than enough of a cushion. Keserich only saw five shots in the third and stopped them all to assure the win.

Keserich earned his first Kelly Cup playoff victory by stopping 31 of 33 shots. The Jackals ended the night 2-for-6 on the power play and 4-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals return home to host Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:05 p.m. Playoff ticket packages are on sale right now. They offer the best value and guarantee you the same seat for all of the 2013 Kelly Cup playoff action at First Arena. Download the playoff package form for more information. Groups of 10 or more get discounts off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Call 607-734-7825 to order your playoff tickets today!



ECHL Stories from April 6, 2013


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