Jackals Capture Share of Conference Lead with 3-2 Win over Nailer
February 29, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals (34-20-2-2) ended the month of February in possession of a share of first place in the Eastern Conference, garnering a 3-2 win over the Wheeling Nailers (32-19-3-2) at First Arena on Wednesday night to tie the Greenville Road Warriors at 72 points.
For the second-consecutive game, Elmira did not trail, recording an early goal to take charge in the contest. Jimmy Martin kicked off the scoring by banking a puck in from the right-wing corner off of goaltender Peter Delmas and in, giving the Jackals a 1-0 advantage at 5:23 of the opening period.
The Nailers battled back, as Cody Chupp tipped in an Andrew Hotham shot between the pads of Brian Stewart, posting a power-play goal for Wheeling at 9:09 to tie the game, 1-1.
Elmira stormed back in front minutes later, as Artem Demkov finished off a centering feed from the right circle. The rookie took a pass from Dustin Gazley and drove the puck past Delmas to put Elmira on top, 2-1, at 12:50.
Just 36 seconds into the second period, Rob Bellamy grabbed a loose puck on the right goal line and flung it toward the net, with the puck squirting past Delmas and into the goal to extend the Jackals' advantage to 3-1.
Wheeling would cut Elmira's lead to a goal in the third period when Paul Crowder backhanded a puck in from the right circle at 13:08, making it 3-2. The Jackals, though, held off a late charge by the Nailers for the one-goal win.
Stewart (19-10-1-0) made 22 saves in the victory, the fewest the second-year pro has made in a win this season. Delmas (15-8-1-0) saw 26 shots in the contest, making 24 stops.
The Jackals kick off a three-in-three with Reading this Friday night at First Arena. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.
Notes:
The Jackals increased their division lead over the Nailers to three points...Elmira is in first place in the conference for the first time since play began on Jan. 28...Gazley extended his point streak to 15 games (8-14), tying the 2011-2012 league mark...Demkov extended his point streak to 13 games (7-8)...Elmira ended February with a record of 8-6-1-1 after beginning the month 0-2-1-1...The one-goal win was Elmira's league-leading 21st of the season...The Jackals' total of 20 wins at home is one shy of tying their mark for the most wins at First Arena in an ECHL season
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ECHL Stories from February 29, 2012
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