Jackal Bites

December 31, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


You can't win them all, says the old axiom. Unfortunately for the Jackals, sometimes you can't win any. The Jackals went 0-3-0 this week, enduring losses in a home and home series with Port Huron, and dropping a Sunday contest to Kalamazoo to complete a pointless three game stretch.

Friday night the Jackals found themselves blanked by the Beacons 3-0 at the Coach USA Center, as Brent Gretzky, Pete Bournazakis, and Chris MacKenzie provided the scoring. MacKenzie finished with a three-point night for the Beacons and Kory Cooper stopped 33 shots for his first shutout of the year. Jeremy Symington stopped 20 of 23 in taking the loss for the Jackals.

Saturday night the same two teams matched up in Port Huron to complete a home and home series. The Beacons would once again score three, and once again it was enough to get past the Jackals, this time by a 3-2 final.

Port Huron jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Matt Shannon goal from Scott Drevitch at the 4:54 mark of the first period. Elmira still couldn't solve Kory Cooper, as he turned aside eight Jackal shots in the first to protect the advantage for the Beacons.

The second stanza would see Jason Firth's first goal of the night extend the lead to 2-0 before Elmira finally beat Cooper after 94:13 of shutout hockey against the Jackals. Aaron Phillips scored from David Lessard and Mike Hofstrand to pull the Jackals within one, and then Lessard tied the game at 2-2 with help from Phillips and Kris Mallette.

With the score tied heading into the third period, the game was available for the taking to both teams. Unfortunately for Elmira, it would be Jason Firth doing the taking, scoring with just under three minutes remaining in the game. His second of the night would turn out to be the game winner, as the Beacons held on for the 3-2 win. Cooper stopped 25 of 27 shots to earn his second straight win over the Jackals. Marco Emond stopped 28 of 31 Beacon shots in the loss.

Sunday the Jackals completed a three games in three days stretch as they hosted the Kalamazoo Wings. Elmira beat the K-Wings in their only other meeting of the year, a 2-1 victory at the Coach USA Center on back on December 8th. Mike Hofstrand helped the team jump out to a quick 1-0 lead just 1:42 into the first period with a one-timer in front to beat Jeff Raynaert. Kris Mallette and David Lessard assisted on the goal, which turned out to be the high mark of the game for Elmira.

Kalamazoo evened the score at 1-1 with :53 left in the second period on a goal from Richard Keyes, and then in the third period added three more as Jim Brown scored the game winner at 5:17, and Kurt Miller added a pair that included an empty netter to finish the game off for Kalamazoo. Chad Dameworth also had a pair of assists in the game for the Wings, while Brown finished with a goal and an assist. Jeremy Symington stopped 30 of 33 shots in the loss, while Raynaert finished with 25 stops on 26 shots in the 4-1 win.

Elmira will now play their fourth game in five days on New Year's Eve against Port Huron at 7 pm at the Coach USA Center. The game will be followed by a New Year's Eve party for fans until 11 pm. After that, the team will have three days off before resuming play this weekend against Quad City Saturday, January 4th and Flint Sunday, January 5th.

JACKAL BITES:

· Brad Wingfield was recalled by Syracuse of the AHL on Monday for their game against Rochester. Wingfield has amassed 13-6-19 in 26 games with Elmira this year, and has one goal and 89 PIMs lifetime with Syracuse in eight games.

· The Jackals have been shut out twice this season, and both times by the Port Huron Beacons. Elmira was blanked 3-0 this past Friday night, and 5-0 back on October 19th. Both blankings have come at home for the Jackals.

· Elmira went 0 for 17 on the power play this weekend in their 0-3-0 streak. Before Friday, the Jackals had recorded a PP goal in five of the last six and were 3-2-1 over that stretch.

· Aaron Phillips continues to emerge for the Jackals this season, with 13 points (3-10) in his last ten games to go with a +7 rating. He had a personal six game scoring and assist streak snapped Friday night against Port Huron.

· Sunday was the first time the Jackals have lost a game when scoring first all season. Previously they were 7-0-0 when netting the first goal before losing 4-1 to Kalamazoo Sunday.

· Elmira will debut their new third jerseys on January 18th vs. Adirondack at the Coach USA Center. The new design consists of a red body with blue shoulders and white and silver striping, with just a Jackal head on the front for a crest, and Columbus Blue Jacket and Jackal head patches on the shoulder.

NEWS AND NOTES:

The Jackals Coach's Show returns Monday night after a Christmas Holiday respite with Mike Hofstrand and Corey Neilson. Show time is at 7 pm, and as always it will air live from Patrick's Deli and Tavern, 303 College Avenue in Elmira.

The Jackals Monthly Dinner Series continues on Monday, January 6th at 6 pm at Horigan's, 365 Davis St. in Elmira. Join the Jackals for dinner, trivia, and lots of fun! No reservations are required at Horigan's, where Irish Hospitality Is Always On Tap!

Come party at the Coach USA Center on Tuesday night to kick off your New Year's Eve! The fun kicks off with Elmira taking on Port Huron at 7 pm, and after the game ends there will be a post-game party up in the Jackals' Den Restaurant overlooking the ice surface. Cost is $10 per person and includes food, one free beverage, and a commemorative champagne flute for a toast to be held before the party ends at 11 pm, giving fans enough time to still head out on the town for the evening. For more information, call 734-PUCK. The event is open to all ages, but ID must be provided for alcohol to be served.



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2002


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