Elmira Takes Two-of-Three From The Hounds
Published on November 27, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Week 7 Recap: For the most part, the Jackals took care of business during Week 7. Facing a three-game Thanksgiving series with the Chicago Hounds, Elmira relished having some home games after spending the previous two weeks (5 games) away from First Arena. Wednesday night Elmira rolled over a struggling Hounds squad 4-1 as goaltender Kris Tebbs nearly earned his first shutout of the season, stopping 38-of-39 shots in the win. After the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, the Jackals and Hounds battled in Round Two Friday night. Despite an early goal from Mike Sgroi, Elmira found themselves behind in the 2nd and third periods. But two goals from Scott Wray pulled them level, including a spectacular strike with 3:05 remaining in the game, forcing an overtime shootout. The Jackals won the shootout thanks to Erik Anderson, Frank Littlejohn and Brent Cullaton all converting their attempts. But the weekend finished bittersweet as Chicago withstood two more goals from Scott Wray and went on to beat the Jackals 4-2.
Despite the disappointment of Saturday's game, Elmira remains in a 2nd place time with Kalamazoo in the Eastern Conference standings and the Jackals have one game in hand on the defending champs. This week the Jackals return to the road and what better way to kick off their December schedule than by facing the 18-2-0 Muskegon Fury for the first time at L.C. Walker Arena Friday night. The game will also be the first meeting between the two teams since Elmira ended Muskegon's unbeaten start to the season on November 4th. The Jackals will continue on to Chicago and Quad City over the weekend before returning to battle Fort Wayne the following weekend at First Arena.
Week 7 Game Results:
11/22/06 Chicago 1 @ Elmira 4
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals reclaimed sole possession of 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with a solid 4-1 victory of the Chicago Hounds Wednesday night at the First Arena. Chicago shocked the large Wednesday night crowd of 3,693 at First Arena (the biggest Wednesday night attendance recorded by the Jackals in the last four years) with a quick goal at 1:45 of the first period. Paul Caponigri scored from Kris Vernarsky and Chris Busby on a rebound from a Vernarsky shot that the Jackals defense failed to clear, leaving goaltender Kris Tebbs stranded...it would be the only time on the evening that particular situation occurred. Shortly after the next face off Curtis Tidball dropped the gloves with Chicago's Chris Gehrke, a bout that lasted more than a minute before the linemen would break things up. Tidball's move seemed to quell the Hounds momentum and ultimately led to Elmira's equalizing goal. Captain Brent Cullaton finished off a perfect saucer pass from Tommy Kotsopoulos for a short-handed goal at 12:55 of the 1st period. The goal was Cullaton's 4th of the season and the Jackals 11th short-handed goal this year. In the second period the two teams played equally for the first half of the period, but again the home side stepped on the gas and began to dictate the pace. While on a penalty kill, Cullaton poked a loose puck forward to Frank Littlejohn, who then raced in on a breakaway. Littlejohn had gotten behind the last Chicago defenseman, but was hauled down from behind and Referee Eric Ernst awared Littlejohn and the Jackals a penalty shot at 14:43. Amidst a roaring crowd, Littlejohn sped in on Hounds goalie Marty Magers, faked to his forehand, then switched to his backhand a lifted the puck into the roof of the net for a 2-1 lead. Littlejohn's penalty shot goal was his 8th goal of the season; it was Elmira's UHL-leading 12th short-handed goal, their second of the game, and was the eventual game-winning goal. The Jackals poured on the pressure and got an insurance goal when Scott Wray banged in a shot from the left face off circle, his 8th goal of the year, assisted by Erik Anderson and R.C. Lyke at 16:54 of the 2nd period. The third period was the Jackals most dominate of the game, as they out-shot Chicago 18-10 in the final twenty minutes. Rookie forward David Morelli scored his 7th goal of the season at 11:40 of the third when he ripped a wrist-shot from the left face off circle up over the glove of Magers. Tommy Kotsopoulos and Marc Lefebvre assisted Morelli's goal, essentially sealing the victory for the Jackals. Elmira goaltender Kris Tebbs made some incredible saves in the third period as he preserved his one-goal game. Kris Tebbs earned his 8th win of the season by stopping 38-of-39 shots to lift the Jackals to their 10th win of the year. Marty Magers was strong in goal, but took the loss for the Hounds, making 40 saves on 44 shots. Both teams finished 0-for-7 on the power play, but the Jackals scored two short-handed goals, including Frank Littlejohn's penalty shot goal.
11/24/06 Chicago 3 @ Elmira 4 - (3-2 in shootout)
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals came from behind to earn a gutsy 4-3 shootout victory over the Chicago Hounds Friday night at First Arena. Mike Sgroi opened his goal scoring account with the Jackals at 11:27 of the first period as he fired a wrist shot past goaltender Marty Magers for a power play goal, assisted by Erik Anderson and Chris Mann. But Chicago scored a late goal at 19:10 of the period, tying the game on a Steve Cygan goal. Cygan then gave Chicago their first lead of the night with his second goal of the game at 15:20 of the second period, knocking in a rebound from Bob Rapoza on the power play for a 2-1 lead. This time it was Elmira's turn to score a late goal when Scott Wray finished off a beautiful setup from Sgroi and Wes Blevins to tie the game at two at 19:31 of the second period. The Hounds took the lead again at 7:24 of the third period off a fluky ricochet when John Spoltore's pass redirected off Maris Ziedins and past goaltender Kris Tebbs for a power play goal and a 3-2 lead. Elmira bombarded the Chicago net in the third period, out-shooting their opponents 26-to-6 over the final twenty minutes. They even had two 5-on-3 power plays, but could not find the equalizer. Finally, with just over three minutes remaining, Scott Wray unleashed a blazing slap shot off an Erik Anderson drop pass that sizzled into the net, tying the game 3-3 at 16:55 of the third period; Anderson and Sgroi both earned assists on the goal that sent the 3,829 fans at First Arena into a frenzy. In the shootout Bryan Payant got Chicago on the board in the first round, but was quickly leveled by Erik Anderson's effort; his third straight successful shootout attempt. Tebbs and Magers each denied the next two shooters they faced until Mike Brolsma put Chicago up 2-1 in the fourth round. But Frank Littlejohn tied the shootout again with a back-hand shot as Elmira's 4th shooter. In the last round Tebbs denied Chris Busby and setup a dramatic finish as captain Brent Cullaton undressed Magers before slipping a back-hand into a wide open net for a 3-2 shootout advantage and a 4-3 victory over the Hounds. Goaltender Kris Tebbs earned his 9th win of the season, and his 3rd shootout win, as he made 25 saves on 28 shots in regulation and 3-of-5 in the shootout. Marty Magers took the loss for Chicago, but was fantastic in goal; making 45 saves on 48 shots during normal play, and blocked 2-of-5 in the shootout. Chicago was 2-for-6 on the power play; while Elmira was 1-for-9 and out-shot the Hounds 49-28 in the game.
11/25/06 Chicago 4 @ Elmira 2
Elmira, NY - Scott Wray scored two power play goals, but the Elmira Jackals lost to the Chicago Hounds 4-2 Saturday night at First Arena. Scott Wray, the Jackals leading goal-scorer, opening the scoring at 2:53 as he blasted a power play goal, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Frank Littlejohn for a 1-0 lead. But Chicago answered with unassisted goal from Mike Brolsma at 12:25 of the first and a 1-1 tie after one period. Wray against took charge in the second period, on a 5-on-3 power play, as he fired a howizter from the face off circle that ripped into the net for his second goal of the game. Brent Cullaton and Scott Drevitch assisted Wray's team-leading 11th goal of the season at 1:17 of the second period. But the Hounds answered at 19:55, grabbing a late power play goal from Darryl McArthur to tie the game 2-2 just before the 2nd intermission. Paul Caponigri scored a short-handed goal at 4:08 of the third period to give Chicago a 3-2 lead; it was the first short-handed goal allowed by Elmira this season. The Hounds doubled their lead at 6:01 when McArthur scored his second goal of the game, assisted by Greg Koehler and Steve Cygan. Elmira had another 5-on-3 power play in the third period, but failed to capitalize. Marty Magers earned his 5th win of the season, making 25 saves on 27 shots in the game for Chicago. Kris Tebbs fell to 9-4-0 on the season, while stopping 18-of-22 in goal for the Jackals. Chicago was 1-for-6 on the power play in the game and Elmira was 2-for-11.
Jackals Player & Goaltender of the Week: (Week 7)
Scott Wray - LW 3 GP, 5 goals, 0 assists, 5 points, +1, 0 PIMs
Scott Wray led the Jackals in scoring this week and padded his team lead in points and goals with his performance. Wray scored 5 goals on the weekend, the highest single week goal output of the season for one Jackal. The Ottawa native scored one goal Wednesday in a 4-1 walkover of Chicago, two key goals Friday in Elmira's comeback shootout win, and scored both of the Jackals' goals Saturday in their 4-2 loss to the Hounds. On the week Wray fired 21 shots on goal, giving him a 23.8% shooting percentage against Chicago goaltender Marty Magers. He currently leads the team in points (20), goals (11), power play goals (5) and shots (82).
Kris Tebbs - G 3 GP, 2-1-0, 2.68 GAA, 0.910 SV%, 81 saves
Words cannot adequately describe the contributions Kris Tebbs has made for the Jackals organization this season with his stellar play in between the pipes. Tebbs went 2-1-0 this week against Chicago with a 2.68 GAA and a 0.910 save percentage. Tebbs was "lights-out" Wednesday night as he allowed just one goal on 39 Chicago shots for his 8th win of the season. Friday night Tebbs made 25 saves on 28 shots and stopped 3-of-5 shootout attempts for his 9th win of the year and third shootout victory. Saturday Tebbs stopped 18 shots in Elmira's 4-2 loss to the Hounds. He continues to lead the Jackals with a 9-4-0 record through 13 starts (14 total appearances) and boasts a 3.25 GAA and a 0.914 save percentage. On the year Tebbs is 3rd in the UHL in wins (9) and leads the league in saves (444) and shootout wins (3).
Jackals Player & Goaltender of the Month: (November)
Brent Cullaton - RW 10 GP, 4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points, +3, 8 PIMs
Jackals captain Brent Cullaton missed all of October and the beginning of the 2006-07 season due to an injury sustained early in the preseason. Cullaton made his debut against the Muskegon Fury and scored 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in two goals, earning him UHL Player of the Week honors for Week 4. His 14 points in 10 games in November are 3 more than any other Jackal, even though he is not yet 100% healthy. During the month Cullaton has scored 2 short-handed goals, 1 game-winning-goal and has 7 power play assists.
Kris Tebbs - G 9 GP, 6-3-0, 3.36 GAA, 0.911 SV%, 298 saves
Kris Tebbs has been positive force all season for Elmira. Tebbs is 6-3-0 in 9 starts with a 3.36 GAA and a 0.911 save percentage. Not only has he been the workhorse and giving Muskegon their first loss of the season, but also Tebbs has seen an average of 36.3 shots on goal per game over the month, more than any other goaltender in the UHL. Tebbs won his UHL-leading 3rd shootout of the season on Friday November 24th against Chicago, but did allow his first two shootout-goals; for the year Tebbs is 10-for-12 in shootout attempts.
Jackals Rookie of the Month: (November)
David Morelli - C 10 GP, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, +4, 0 PIMs
Rookie forward David Morelli has emerged as a bright young star for the Jackals. Morelli leads all rookies on the Jackals with 6 points (3goals, 3 assists) in November and boasts a 25.0% shooting percentage. Morelli has 12 points on the season and his 7 goals are good for 4th on the team. Morelli had one unassisted goal against Flint, he led the team with a +4 rating in November and is tied for the team lead with 2 game-winning-goals.
JACKAL BITES:
* END OF A STREAK - Goaltender Kris Tebbs' shootout scoreless streak ended Friday night. Tebbs had been a perfect 7-for-7 in his first two shootouts of the season, but allowed 2 goals in 5 attempts Friday, earning his UHL leading 3rd shootout win. He is 10-for-12 overall this year in shootouts, a 83.3% success rate.
* THAT'S SPECIAL - Forward Frank Littlejohn was awarded the first penalty shot of the Jackals 2006-2007 season Wednesday night against Chicago. Littlejohn was pulled down from behind while on a short-handed breakaway, earning the decision from the referee. Littlejohn took advantage of his opportunity and scored for a "short-handed/penalty shot" goal, his 4th short-handed goal of the season.
* THE 500 CLUB - Forward Frank Littlejohn played in his 500th career professional game Wednesday night against Chicago. He capped it off by scoring his 197th career goal on a penalty shot (short-handed). He is just 3 goals away from 200 for his career.
* THE CENTURY MARK - Forward Curtis Tidball is 1 game away from his 100th professional game. He played in his 99th career game last Saturday against Chicago and should reach the century mark on Friday in Muskegon.
* A BICENTENNIAL - Forward Scott Wray scored 5 goals in three games against Chicago last week. The scoring outburst has boosted his career total to 184 goals, leaving him 16 goals shy of 200 for his 9-year pro career.
* SIX HUNDRED APPROACHES - Jackals captain Brent Cullaton needs just 6 more points to reach the 600 points milestone for his pro career. Cullaton had 3 points last week against Chicago and currently has 594 points in his 11-year pro career.
Coach's Show
Don't miss the next broadcast of The Elmira Jackals Coach's Show LIVE Monday night
at 6 pm at the Pioneer Sports Bar & Grill in Elmira. Join Jackals Head Coach Kris
Waltze, Voice of the Jackals Owen Newkirk, along with defenseman Scott Drevitch and
goaltender Tyson Gajda for the broadcast on News Talk 1230 & 1450 AM WENY or stream
it online at www.jackalshockey.com First Arena Rec Rink Hockey Information The ice is HOT at First Arena - Visit our website for a complete list of Public
Skating times and Arena Programs at www.firstarena.com The First Arena Rec Rink offers public skating, skating lessons, hockey programs,
figure skating, birthday parties, adult hockey leagues and much more....
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 27, 2006
