Gladiators Fend Off Jackals 3-2

Published on February 15, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


ELMIRA, NY - Bobby Robins and Benoit Doucet scored third period goals, but the rally fell short as the Elmira Jackals dropped a 3-2 decision to the Gwinnett Gladiators Friday before 3,404 fans at First Arena. The loss extended the Jackals' longest losing streak of the season to four games.

The scoring strikes by Robins and Doucet came after the Jackals entered the final period trailing 2-0 and having been outshot 25-12 through the opening forty minutes.

After a scoreless opening frame, defenseman Jamie Milam wheeled down the slot after taking an Andy Brandt pass out of the right wing corner and buried his ninth of the year on Joel Martin (28 saves) for a 1-0 advantage with 6:20 left in the second period.

The visitors doubled their lead less than two minutes later when Jeff Campbell popped in a close range opportunity at 15:30 for his 14th goal as Lou Dickenson registered the only assist on the play.

That two-goal deficit proved to be too much to overcome despite a much more spirited effort by the Jackals in the closing period that made things interesting.

Robins jammed home his 11th goal at 3:25 after Elmira came up empty on its final of six power play chances of the night. Bruce Watson, back in the line-up after serving his one game suspension, and Jim McKenzie picked up the assists as Elmira sliced the lead in half at 2-1.

It stayed that way until just over three minutes were left in regulation as an individual effort by Tomas Pospisil provided what turned out to be the game-winning strike.

Cutting through center and gaining speed on the Jackals' defense, Brett Motherwell recovered nicely and angled Pospisil to side wall and separated him from the puck.

But Pospisil never gave up, chasing the loose disc into the corner before shedding a double team attempt by Motherwell and Andrei Plekhanov. Streaking to the front of the net, Pospisil slid home a low backhander to bump the Gwinnett lead to 3-1 and time running out on Elmira.

Martin was pulled to the bench with just over two minutes remaining and the gamble paid off. Doucet ricocheted a centering attempt from the right wing corner off of the skate of Gladiators' defenseman Jeff Mason and past startled goaltender Craig Kowalski (26 saves) to draw the Jackals to 3-2 with 1:30 left.

Martin was pulled once again after the face-off, but there would be no rally to send this one to overtime as Elmira absorbed their sixth loss in their last nine contests.

The Jackals will attempt to snap their four-game losing streak tomorrow night when the North Division-leading Cincinnati Cyclones visit First Arena for the final time this season in a 7:35 face-off. Good seats remain, but are going fast. Get yours at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Gray Street box office - First Arena (open 10 a.m. Saturday), charge-by-phone at 722-3711 or buy on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

Tomorrow night's contest will be simulcast live on WETM-2 and on MAGIC FM (92.7/97.7) with television and radio beginning at 7:30 p.m.

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ECHL Stories from February 15, 2008


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