Jackal Bites

December 17, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Finally able to put one of their longest road stretches of the season behind them, the Elmira Jackals went 1-1-1 this week to finish a streak of 10 of 12 games on the road, dating back to November 20th.

The stretch as a whole for the team went well, as they finished 6-3-1 on the road, and 7-4-1 overall during that time. Marco Emond has taken his game to a new level, earning UHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the period ending Sunday, Dec. 15th. He posted his first career shutout with a 34 save performance against Rockford and went 1-1-0 this week with a 2.03 GAA and .951 save percentage. Emond's shutout performance would kick the week off for the Jackals in Rockford, where offense was provided within a five-minute span during the second period. David Lessard scored at the 15:32 mark from Rob Guinn and Randy Murphy to grab a 1-0 lead following a spectacular save by Emond on a 2-on-0 break for Rockford. Mike Thompson provided a two-goal cushion at the 19:30 mark with help from Eddy Lowe. Emond would do the rest, shutting down the IceHogs for the final 20 minutes.

Friday, the Jackals were back in St. Charles, MO to take on the River Otters. In their previous visit to the Family Arena, Elmira came out a winner thanks to a four-point night from Glenn Stewart. This time, however, it was a special teams effort of massive proportions that would power Missouri to a 4-2 win. Scoring twice shorthanded to open the contest, the River Otters then marked on the power play before an even strength goal made it 4-0 halfway through the second period. Stewart just happened to be the Jackal to break the ice for Elmira and make it 4-1 at the 8:33 mark of the second period. David Lessard and Corey Neilson picked up the helpers on the goal. In the third period the Jackals pulled the game to 4-2 on Jody Robinson's goal from Aaron Phillips and Mike Hofstrand with just under four minutes remaining, but could manage no further offense. Marco Emond one again played well for the Jackals, turning aside 43 of 47 River Otter shots in the loss. The game also marked the end of a 129:42 shutout streak, dating back to Sunday's 2-1 defeat of the Kalamazoo Wings.

Saturday the Jackals rolled into Fort Wayne looking to finish over .500 for their three game swing. Instead, they would drop a shootout decision to the Komets despite having a 2-1 lead over halfway through the third period. Brad Wingfield scored twice for the club, once in the second period just 1:04 in with an unassisted marker, then again at 12:55 of the third period to give the Jackals a 2- lead. Just before Wingfield's second goal, 42 year-old Joe Franke, the team's equipment manager, had to step in and play goal in relief of Pokey Reddick. The Komets clamped down defensively in front of him, while rallying to score twice more while Elmira managed only one further marker, sending the game to a shootout.

In the shootout, Franke made the first three saves while Fort Wayne scored twice, and eventually won in four rounds by a 3-1 count to take the two points in dramatic fashion. As the Komets poured off their bench, it looked more like they had won the Colonial Cup as they mobbed Franke, who appeared in his first pro game, secured the win, and added an assist on a Colin Chaulk goal. Jeremy Symington took the loss in stopping 34 of 37 shots in regulation, and Corey Neilson added the other goal for the Jackals.

Player of the Week Nomination – David Lessard, LW Lessard notched 1-2-3 in three games, recording his first game-winning goal of the year on Wednesday against the Rockford IceHogs. He also collected four PIMs and a +1 rating in those three contests. WINNER! - Goaltender of the Week - Marco Emond Marco finished the week 1-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and a .951 save percentage. He stopped all 34 shots faced in Rockford to blank the IceHogs Wednesday night, earning his first pro shutout. Friday he stopped 43 of 47 Missouri shots in a 4-2 loss to Missouri, but was responsible for keeping the game close for the Jackals. He also saw a 129:42 shutout streak snapped with Missouri's first goal on Friday that dated back to Sunday, Dec. 8th against Kalamazoo.

Jackal Bites:

- Marco Emond picked up his first professional shutout in stopping 34 Rockford shots Wednesday. "I didn't think I was going to get it," said Emond. "Something always happens to me as the time runs down. I was glad I got through it finally."

- Emond is also 2-1 in his last four appearances with a 1.38 GAA and a .962 save percentage in 217:54 of play.

- Glenn Stewart now has five points in two games against Missouri this season. Stewart recorded one of two four-point games this season against the River Otters, and added a goal to his total on Friday night.

- The Jackals will now play eight of their next 10 games at home after playing 10 of their last 12 on the road. Elmira was 6-3-1 on the road during that stretch, and 7-4-1 overall.

- While wearing their home jerseys over that same span of twelve games, the Jackals went 2-3-1.

NEWS AND NOTES:

Jackals players will be visiting Glove House on December 17th at 5 pm to sign autographs and talk with area youth. The Jackals Coach's Show will be back on Tuesday night this week with Jackals' Equipment Manager Spud Hamilton and Athletic Trainer Jim Devine. Show time is at 7 pm, and as always it will air live from Patrick's Deli and Tavern, 303 College Avenue in Elmira.

Tickets are still available for the next Jackal games against Flint (12/19) Rockford (12/21), and Adirondack (12/22). Seats may be purchased through all Ticket Master locations, online at www.TicketMaster.com, or charge by phone at (607) 722-3711. You may also come to the Coach USA Center Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday's 10 am to 4 pm. The Jackals Monthly Dinner Series continues on Monday, December 9th at 6 pm at Horigan's, 365 Davis St. in Elmira. Join the Jackals for dinner, trivia, and lots of fun! As a special Holiday Season prize a DVD copy of the movie Ice Age will be given as a prize in the children's trivia contest. No reservations are required at Horigan's, where Irish Hospitality Is Always On Tap!



ECHL Stories from December 17, 2002


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