Jackals Battle Past Royals, Take Over First Place
March 30, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals (45-22-2-2) took over first place in the Eastern Conference entering the final day of the regular season, battling back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Reading Royals (35-28-4-4) in overtime, 3-2, in front of a sold-out crowd at First Arena on Friday night. Elmira's 45th win tied a franchise record for victories in a season, set in the 74-game UHL season of 2001-2002.
The Royals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, as Ian O'Connor connected on a breakaway at 9:27 of the opening period and Kenny Ryan finished off a centering feed from Yannick Tifu at 10:40.
Later in the period, Mike Radja put home a centering feed from Dustin Gazley, bringing the Jackals to within a goal, 2-1, at 16:38 of the first.
After a scoreless second period, Gazley fired in a shot from the left circle on the power play at 3:40 of the final frame, tying the game, 2-2.
In overtime, Gazley took a puck from behind the net after Jordan Pietrus snapped a puck wide of the goal. Gazley wrapped the puck past the stick of Karel St. Laurent, lifting the Jackals past the Royals, 3-2, 43 seconds into the extra session.
Brian Stewart (26-11-1-0) turned aside 18 of 20 shots, earning his eighth win against Reading in 2011-2012. St. Laurent (4-9-0-1) made 34 saves in his first start since Feb. 24.
Gwinnett fell on Friday night to the Florida Everblades, 5-3, as the Jackals leaped past the Gladiators by one point into the top spot in the conference. The Jackals with a win on Saturday in Wheeling would secure their first conference championship since entering the ECHL.
Elmira's first-round schedule and opponent will be determined after completion of tomorrow evening's games. Tickets to the Jackals' home games for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals will go on sale on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.
ECHL Stories from March 30, 2012
- Thunder Announces 2012 First Round Playoff - Stockton Thunder
- Bakersfield Beats Utah - Utah Grizzlies
- Back & Forth Game Ends in Wranglers' Favor - Colorado Eagles
- Eagles' Opening Playoff Round Opponent Will be Stockton Thunder - Colorado Eagles
- Hince, Steelheads Top Thunder - Idaho Steelheads
- Express Soar Past Wings 4-2 - Chicago Express
- Royals Get a Point in Elmira, 3-2 - Reading Royals
- Jackals Battle Past Royals, Take Over First Place - Elmira Jackals
- Everblades Blades Defeat Gladiators in Physical 5-3 Victory - Florida Everblades
- Chicago Defeats Kalamazoo 4-2 - Kalamazoo Wings
- Road Warriors Downed In Home Finale - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Stay Alive with 5-2 Thumping of Walleye - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Gladiators Fall to Everblades 5-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Lacroix Leads Stingrays Past Road Warriors - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Clinch Playoff Spot with 4-1 Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Toledo Defeated in Cincinnati 5-2 - Toledo Walleye
- Aces Announce First Playoff Home Dates - Alaska Aces
- Aces Announce First Playoff Home Dates - Alaska Aces
- Alaska Wins Brabham Cup - ECHL
- Reign Enter First Round of Playoffs on the Road - Ontario Reign
- Defenseman Zach McKelvie Assigned to Reading - Reading Royals
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder at Idaho Steelheads - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - March 30 - ECHL
- Jackals Announce Roster Moves - Elmira Jackals
- Aces Sign Defenseman Brock Shelgren - Alaska Aces
- Fredricks Honored with ECHL Community Service Award - Ontario Reign
- Ontario's Fredricks Receives ECHL Community Service Award - ECHL
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira Vs. Reading - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati Vs. Toledo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Everblades Announce Home Playoff Dates - Florida Everblades
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspension - ECHL
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - March 30, 2012 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Game Preview: Express Vs. Kalamazoo Tonight - Chicago Express
- Gladiators Ink Former North Dakota Captain Lamoureux - Atlanta Gladiators
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Close Road Trip Tonight in Greenville - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - March 30 - ECHL
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.
