Sports stats



Jackal bites

November 15, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Week 5 Game Results:

11/10/04 JACKALS 5 - Motor City 3

Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals earned their eighth win of the season Wednesday night as they beat the Motor City Mechanics 5-3 at the First Arena.

The expansion Motor City Mechanics made their first trip to Elmira, but despite scoring first, they would not pick up any points. David Bonk scored at 1:13 of the first period to surprise rookie goalie Kevin Kurk, but Elmira struck back with a vengeance. Jamie Thompson shoveled home a backhand shot from the top of the crease at 10:47 assisted by Greg Koehler and Trevor Burgess.

In the second period the onslaught continued when Nathan Gillies redirected a shot from George Pujacs past Motor City goalie Mike Fountain for a power play goal at 3:07; Pujacs and Thompson were credited with assists on the play. Three minutes later Pujacs would find the net himself, blasting home a slap shot from the blue line, assisted by Gillies and Eddy Lowe, for a 3-1 Elmira lead. But a major penalty and a game misconduct called on Thompson for hitting from behind at 8:53 setup a five-minute major power play for the Mechanics who would cash in twice. First Wade Paterson scored at 9:31 and then at 10:39 Jason Norrie tied the game, both power play goals.

But despite the Mechanics' late second period charge, Elmira would reign supreme in the final session. UHL leading scorer Greg Koehler sizzled a shot past Fountain for a power play strike at 4:16 from Pujacs and Burgess, the eventual game winner. To put the icing on the cake Koehler sent Carl Drakensjo and Jeff Antonovich in on a two-on-one rush, ending when Drakensjo slid a perfect pass across the crease for Antonovich to tap in at 12:30.

In just his second start for Elmira, Kurk recorded his first professional win, stopping 28-of-31 shots, while Fountain got the loss, making 30 saves in the process.

11/12/04 DANBURY 3 - jackals 2

Elmira, NY - For the first time in franchise history the Danbury Trashers beat the Elmira Jackals, earning a tightly contested 3-2 victory at the First Arena Friday night.

In one of the most bizarre goals in Jackals recent memory, Danbury took at 1-0 thanks to an own goal. Brad Wingfield crosschecked Tom Clayton from behind, sparking referee Chris Cozzan to raise his arm in a delayed penalty. While goaltender Greg Hewitt was going to the bench to bring on the extra attacker, Simon Poirier's pass out of the defensive zone ricocheted off a teammate's skate and trickled painfully back into the vacated net. Doug Christiansen, the last Trashers player to touch the puck was credited with the goal at 6:29 of the period.

Compounding their momentum shift, Danbury went up 2-0 when Brent Gretzky knocked home a rebound, assisted by Mario Larocque and Mathieu Wathier at 7:38. The first frame also featured three fights and a combined 46 minutes in penalties.

In the second period activities calmed down, so much so that only 6 penalty minutes were recorded and not one goal.

In the final session the Jackals started their comeback, UHL leading scorer Greg Koehler sizzled a wrist shot past Scott Stirling at 5:01, assisted by Bryan Cummings and Carl Drakensjo, spoiling the Danbury shutout. Elmira barraged the net, but among their attempts to tie the game, Jim Duhart blasted a slap shot past Hewitt at 13:07 to regain the two-goal lead; the eventual game winner. 45 second later Jeff Antonovich pulled the Jackals right back into the game with his fifth goal of the season from Adam Nittel and Darren Van Oene for a 3-2 score. But despite more attacking zone possession and pulling Hewitt in the final minute, Elmira could not find the equalizer and fell to the Trasher by the odd goal.

Stirling stopped 35-of-37 shots for the win, while Hewitt made 24 saves on 27 Danbury shots in the defeat.

11/13/04 JACKALS 3 - Motor City 1

Elmira, NY - Lead by the play of Greg Koehler, Trevor Burgess and Greg Hewitt the Jackals stayed on top of the East Division with a 3-1 win over Motor City Saturday night at the First Arena.

Koehler, the UHL's leading scorer got things going in the first period as he scored at 13:09 from Tom Clayton to make it a 1-0 Jackals led.

In the second frame Ryan Baker equalized with his first goal for the Mechanics at 6:55, assisted by Chad Peck and Brad Cruikshank. But the level scoreline would not last for long. On the power play, captain Trevor Burgess ripped a shot from the blue line that hit goalie Mike Fountain but somehow found its way into the net, the eventual game-winning goal, assisted by George Pujacs and Jeff Antonovich. With just 64 seconds remaining in the period, Koehler scored his 14th goal of the season, beating Fountain in highlight-reel fashion, for a 3-1 score.

At the buzzer of the third period, a scrum broke out near the Motor City bench, leading to 9 penalties combining for 58 minutes at the 20:00 mark.

Hewitt shined in net, making 32 saves on 33 Motor City shots to record his League Leading 8th win of the season. Fountain went to 0-2-0 against Elmira this season, stopping 34-of-37 in the loss.

11/14/04 DANBURY 6 - Jackals 4

Danbury, CT - Despite a second period that featured one goal and twenty four separate penalties, the Danbury Trashers held off the Elmira Jackals 6-4 Sunday night at the Danbury Ice Arena.

In the first period Jim Duhart blasted the Trashers into the lead at 3:11, assisted by J.F. David and Jeff State. But Elmira struck back as Eddy Lowe, returning from an injury, was sent free on a breakaway by Carl Drakensjo and the center did not miss, beating Scott Stirling under the catching glove to tie the game with a shorthanded goal. In the second frame Brent Gretzky scored a power play goal at 16:16 to regain the lead for Danbury, but the middle 20-minute session was marred by 24 penalties totaling 114 minutes.

The third period was yet another different entity in itself, as the two teams combined for seven goals. Doug Christiansen gave the Trashers a 3-1 lead at 1:57, but Greg Koehler scored at 5:48 from Darren Van Oene and Drakensjo to bring the Jackals back within one goal. John Morlang scored his first of the night at 9:17 to put Danbury up 4-2, but yet again, Koehler kept Elmira in the game, scoring at 10:31 with assists from Trevor Burgess and Jamie Thompson. Mike Bayrack would extend the lead to two again, as he found the net at 12:56 from Mario Larocque and Brad Richardson. However, Jeff Antonovich would knock one in with Hewitt pulled for the extra attacker at 19:13 to cut the lead to 5-4. But Elmira's luck would run out, when Morlang put the game on ice with an empty net goal at 19:31.

Stirling made 19 saves on 23 shots for the win, while Hewitt stopped 26-of-32 in the loss. Danbury was 1-for-6 on the power play, while Elmira was 0-for-6 on the man advantage.

JACKALS PLAYER AND GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: (WEEK 5)

Greg Koehler - C 4 GP, 6 goals, 3 assists, 9 pts, +1

Center Greg Koehler continues to carry the load in Elmira. With key injuries to Jason Sessa and Eddy Lowe in Week 5, Koehler elevated his game to lead the first place Jackals to two wins this week. The Scarborough, Ontario native had 1 goal and 2 assists against Motor City in a 5-3 win on Wednesday, then turned around Friday with a goal in Elmira's 3-2 loss to Danbury. Saturday Koehler raised his production again, this time with 2 goals and a +2 rating in a 3-1 win over Motor City. Sunday Koehler had two more goals and added an assist in a wild 6-4 loss in Danbury. Koehler finished the week with 9 points, giving him a 7-point cushion to his UHL league leading 27 points; he also leads the league in goals with 16, and has a UHL best 10-game point scoring streak where he has amassed 22 points since October 24th.

Greg Hewitt - G 3 GP, 1-2-0, 3.03 GAA, .901 SV%, 82 saves

Greg Hewitt continued to do what he always does between the pipes for Elmira, he gives the Jackals a chance to win every night. Hewitt played all three weekend games, starting with a 3-2 loss Friday night against Danbury. He rebounded for a stellar 3-1 win over Motor City stopping 32-of-33 shots and earning his UHL best 8th win of the season. Sunday Hewitt held the Jackals in the game in a hostile Danbury Ice Arena, making 26 saves and allowing 5 goals (1 empty net goal) in the Jackals 6-4 loss. Hewitt finished the week with a 3.03 GAA and a .901 save percentage as he currently leads the UHL in minutes (778), saves (424), wins (8) and is tied for the lead in shootout wins (2).

JACKAL BITES:

* FOLLOW THE KOEHLER - C Greg Koehler is currently leading the UHL in scoring. Koehler has 27 points and league best 16 goals through 51 games.

* LENDING A HELPING HAND - RW Carl Drakensjo has a currently UHL best 4 game assist streak going. Since 11/10 vs. Motor City, Drakensjo has handed out 5 assists; he has 14 points (11 assists) on the year.

* MORE RECORDS - C Greg Koehler has put together an astronomical point-scoring streak this season. Since October 24th, Koehler has scored 22 points in 10 consecutive games. He also has a UHL season-tying best 5-game goal scoring streak, with 7 goals since November 6th at Kalamazoo.

* DRAFT HORSE IN GOAL - G Greg Hewitt has been a one man workforce in goal for the Jackals this season. Hewitt leads the UHL in Wins (8), Minutes (778), Saves (424) and Shootout Wins (2).

* BACK WITH A VENGENCE - After a slow start to the season C Jeff Antonovich has been red-hot for the Jackals over the past two weeks. Antonovich is currently on a 7-game point scoring streak, registering 10 points beginning on November 3rd at Richmond.

NEWS AND NOTES:

Elmira Jackals Team Leaders:

Goals: Greg Koehler (16)
Assists: Jamie Thompson, Trevor Burgess (12)
Points: Greg Koehler (27)
Plus/Minus: Jason Sessa, Carl Drakensjo (+3)
Penalty Minutes: Chris Shaw (69)
Power Play Goals: Jason Sessa (7)
Short Handed Goals: Carl Drakensjo, Jamie Thompson, Eddy Lowe (1)
Shots: Greg Koehler (66)
Shooting Percentage: Greg Koehler (24.2%)
Saves: Greg Hewitt (424)
Wins: Greg Hewitt (8)
GAA: Greg Hewitt (3.32)
Save Percentage: Greg Hewitt (.908)

Jackals Jam

Don't forget to check out the next edition Jackals Jam on WENY-TV. Broadcaster Owen Newkirk will be going over the art of Fighting with Nathan Gillies, and Neille Giffune will recap another exciting week of Jackals hockey. Jackals Jam airs every Sunday night at 11:00 pm on WENY-TV (ABC).

GOALS FOR THE GLOVE HOUSE UPDATE:

Jamie Thompson again added to his point total in the Goals for Glove House Fundraiser. The Jackals forward scored one goal and added two assists this week. Through fourteen games Jamie has seventeen points coming on five goals and twelve assists, putting him in a 3-way tie for 8th in scoring in the UHL.

With each point that Jamie makes throughout the season he and Harding Harley-Davidson are asking you to pledge a gift to support Glove House programs and services.

To be a part of the fundraiser just fill out a pledge form at any of the convenient locations list below and drop your form in the box provided at each location. Jamie's points will be tallied at the end of the season determining your gift to help our communities children and families.

You can fill out a pledge card at any of the following locations throughout the season:
The DogHouse Jackals Merchandise Shop
Harding Harley-Davidson
Select Jackals Home Games
Glove House
Dick's Sporting Goods
Cappy's
Club Nautilus
Pal's Sports Center
Klein's All-Sports

Coach's Show

Don't miss the The Elmira Jackals Coach's Show broadcast LIVE this Tuesday night from Patrick's Pub, 303 College Ave. at 7pm. Join Head Coach Todd Brost and Voice of the Jackals Owen Newkirk, along with defenseman Simon Poirier and goalie Kevin Kurk for the broadcast. Tune in on WiNGZ 104.9 FM or stream it online at www.jackalshockey.com - Fans are encouraged to email their questions for any of the Coach's Show participants to jackalshockey@jackalshockey.com no later than 3 pm on Tuesday.

• Discuss this story on the International Hockey League 2 message board...

International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 15, 2004


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.

Other Recent Elmira Jackals Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central