Emond Leads Jackals To Fifth Straight Win

February 6, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


It took several sparkling performances from the Jackals, including a monster night from goaltender Marco Emond, but in the end Elmira skated away with their fifth consecutive win by a 4-3 score over the Missouri River Otters in front of 3,674 fans at the Coach USA Center on Thursday night.

Emond put on a clinic in the first period alone, stopping all 23 shots on goal faced in the opening 20 minutes. That included a five-minute major penalty kill, two minutes of which was spent five on three. Missouri's 23 shots on goal ties the UHL's season high mark for the first period held by Adirondack and Quad City, while Emond's 23 saves sets a new season high for the first period, eclipsing by one the former high. Glenn Stewart scored off a rebound in front of the Missouri net at 12:44, and the Jackals grabbed a 1-0 lead. Aaron Phillips tipped the Trevor Burgess shot that resulted in the rebound for Stewart, and those two shots were Elmira's first on goal in the game, while Missouri had already blasted 15 on Emond. There would be no further scoring in the period, thanks to the exceptional penalty killing of the Jackals, who escaped with a 1-0 lead.

In the second period, Stewart notched his second of the night four seconds into a five on three advantage for his 19th goal of the year. Randy Murphy and Corey Neilson added the assists at 7:36 for a 2-0 lead. Aaron Phillips made it 3-0 when he took a David Lessard pass out of the right wing corner, corralled it with his left skate, kicked it to his blade, and beat Missouri goaltender Brian Regan over the blocker at 13:41. Trevor Burgess added his second assist of the night on the goal. Missouri finally got it going at 18:49 when Jason Gudmundson scored with help from Dustin Whitecotton and Joe Ritson. That goal rounded out the second period scoring, with Missouri trailing 3-1.

Eerily, just as they had last game after trailing 3-0, the River Otters crept back into the game. Lonnie Loach scored to make it 3-2 at 11:30, and then Jason Hughes took advantage of a miscue in front of the Elmira net that wiped out Emond at 13:23. But at 15:18, Corey Neilson scored while streaking down the right wing, taking a pass from Randy Murphy and burying it five hole on Regan. Ryan Esselmont earned the other assist to put the Jackals ahead 4-3. Despite pulling Regan for the final 1:15, the River Otters could not find the equalizer. Emond stopped 40 of 43 to earn his fifth straight win, while Regan turned aside 20 of 24 in the loss.

Stewart scored two or more points for the fourth consecutive game, while Burgess now has three points in his first two games back with the Jackals and a +3 rating. Aaron Phillips, Corey Neilson, and Randy Murphy also recorded multiple point games for the club in the win.

The Jackals will now have a rare Friday off in preparation for the Adirondack IceHawks on Satruday night in Glens Falls. Game time is 7:30 pm. The next Jackals home game is slated for Friday, February 14th against Port Huron at 7 pm. Tickets for that and all remaining Jackals home games are available through the Coach USA Center Box Office, open 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Seats may also be purchased through all Ticket Master locations, on line at www.TicketMaster.com, or charge by phone at (607) 722-3711.



ECHL Stories from February 6, 2003


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.

OurSports Central