Jackals Battle Back to Earn Point in 3-2 Overtime Loss

March 27, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals (32-27-7-3) overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime in their final home game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon at First Arena and earned a point in a 3-2 sudden-death loss to the Kalamazoo Wings (38-23-2-6). The Jackals are now one regulation or sudden-death overtime victory away from clinching a spot in the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Kalamazoo scored both of its regulation goals just 12 seconds apart in the second period on a major power play. Steven Tarasuk snapped a puck in at 4:25 on a feed from Trent Daavettila to make it 1-0 in the second period. Patrick Asselin followed by wristing a puck in from the slot at 4:37 to put the K-Wings up 2-0.

The Jackals, who were outshot 29-12 after two periods, came back in the third period with two crucial goals to force overtime. Ryan Hillier banked a puck in from behind the net off of K-Wings netminder Ryan Nie on the power play to make it 2-1 at 6:25. Martin Moucha took a feed from Andrew Favot at 11:28 of the final period and backhanded a puck on a breakaway past Nie to tie the game, 2-2.

At 29 seconds of overtime, Daavettila sprung into the Jackals end off of a pass from Sam Ftorek and fired a puck in from the doorstep to give the K-Wings the 3-2 win. Kalamazoo wrapped up the North Division title with the victory.

In net for the Jackals, Jared DeMichiel stopped 37 of 40 shots and earned the game's third star. Ryan Nie garnered his 29th victory of the season as he made 21 saves on 23 shots.

Elmira is one regulation or sudden-death overtime victory away from clinching a playoff spot. The Jackals are four points in front of Toledo, the only team outside of the playoffs that can currently catch Elmira, with three games remaining in the regular season. The Walleye dropped a 4-3 decision to Cincinnati on Sunday. A shootout victory by Elmira would not guarantee the Jackals a playoff spot because of a rule instituted by the ECHL before this season that prevents shootout victories from counting in tiebreaker situations.

The Jackals quest to clinch a playoff spot continues when they head to Trenton to battle the Devils on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.



ECHL Stories from March 27, 2011


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