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Jackals Celebrate 10th Anniversary in Rematch With

January 14, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Game 34: Elmira Jackals (7-21-5-0) vs. Reading Royals (20-12-1-1)

7:05 p.m., First Arena, Elmira, New York

The Jackals celebrate their 10th season in the ECHL and play the second of back-to-back DeMet's Candy Cup Challenge matches at First Arena against the Reading Royals. It's the fifth of 10 matches between the teams this year and is the middle game in a string of three-straight games between Elmira and Reading, which will conclude Monday afternoon in Reading .

The Royals have won six of their last seven games since Dec. 23, only losing once last week against the Adirondack Thunder . With six wins in their last 10 games the Royals are up to 20-12-1-1 on the season and have 42 points, which puts them in third place in the North Division. After these three straight games against the Jackals, the Royals have games against Adirondack and Wheeling next weekend.

The Jackals have lost five straight games, opening 2017 0-4-0-0 to drop to 7-21-5-0 on the season. With 19 points, the Jackals are in sixth place in the North Division and 13th place in the Eastern Conference. After three games against Reading, and the All-Star Break that follows, the Jackals are in Manchester for a three-in-three next weekend.

Broadcast Coverage

Jackals Pregame at 6:50 p.m. Radio: 1410 WELM

Coaching change

Yesterday, the Jackals announced a coaching change, mutually agreeing to part ways with Dave Leger, who was named the 12th Head Coach in Jackals history during the summer.

In his place, current player/assistant coach Mike Duco has been deemed the Interim Head Coach designate, pending the completion of mandatory immigration and league paperwork. Duco will become the 13th Head Coach in Jackals history, finishing an eight year professional career, which includes 18 games in the NHL. The Toronto, Ontario native has not played in a game this season with the Jackals, instead shifting his focus towards transitioning into coaching.

10th Anniversary

The Jackals are wearing special 10th anniversary jerseys tonight to commemorate their 10th season in the ECHL. Following tonight's game, select jerseys will be auctioned after the game in a live post game auction.

Here are the jerseys that will be included in the post game jersey auction: Steven Kaunisto (#5), Ian Young (#7), Sebastien Sylvestre (#10), Tyson Fawcett (#13), Matt Lane (#17), Justin Kea (#19), Kenton Miller (#20), Kyle Rankin (#21), Mark Bennett (#22), Andy Iles (#29), Jason Kasdorf (#31), Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel (#37) and Davis Vandane (#55). The remaining jerseys will be raffled off, one per game, in the Jackals Den team store.

Last time out

The Reading Royals scored six goals in the first period and rolled to an 8-2 win over the Jackals last night at First Arena .

Matt Willows opened the scoring for Reading by finishing a cross-ice pass at the bottom of the right circle at 3:16 of the first period, opening the flood gates for the rest of the period. Olivier Labelle would score twice in the first period, giving him six goals in four games against Elmira. The Royals also got goals from Matt Wilkens, Ryan Penny and Chris McCarthy for a 6-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Royals went up 7-0 early in the second before the Jackals answered with the final two goals of the period . Sam Povorozniouk wristed a shot from the left circle for a power-play goal, his first goal with the Jackals, at 12:22. Then Sebastien Sylvestre snapped a left circle shot on a 2-on-1 with five seconds left in the period to make it a 7-2 game entering the third. The Royals scored the only goal in the third for an 8-2 win.

Head-to-head

Tonight is the fifth of 10 head-to-head matches between the clubs in 2016-17 as part of the third annual DeMet's Candy Cup Challenge. The Royals have won the first four games, outscoring the Jackals 22-6 over the four games.

Olivier Labelle has tormented the Jackals to the tune of seven points (6g, 1a) in just four games. That is tied with Chris McCarthy (2g, 5a) for the most points in the season series.

For the Jackals, Sebastien Sylvestre (1g, 1a) and Tyson Fawcett (2a) lead the Jackals with two points against the Royals.

Scouting the Royals

Following a three-game losing streak, Reading has wins in six of their last seven games since Dec. 23, with three of those wins coming against the Adirondack Thunder. Reading is in the middle of a stretch of 14 straight games against the North Division, which began Dec. 21 and goes through Jan. 27. Reading is third in the North Division with 42 points and a 20-12-1-1 record.

The Royals offense is eighth in the league at 3.68 goals per game and is lead by Chris McCarthy's 34 points (16g, 18a). Olivier Labelle (15g, 15a) and Justin Crandall (11g, 19a) are next with 30 points apiece. Labelle leads the team with 11 power-play points (6g, 5a) and also leads the way with five first goals.

Four goaltenders have seen time in net for the Royals this season. Martin Ouellette has nine appearances for the Royals this season and has a 5-3-0-0 record with a 3.12 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage. Mark Dekanich was activated off the IR yesterday and has 21 appearances on the season with a 10-9-1-1 record, a 2.94 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Special teams

The Royals power play dropped a spot to seventh in the ECHL at 19.7% (24-for-122) after going 0-for-3 last night. They are now 0-for-13 in the last three games. In the season series against Elmira, the Royals are 3-for-14 (21.4%) in four games.

The Jackals power play snapped a two game funk and went 1-for-2 last night against the Royals. Overall they are 17th in the ECHL at 15.6% (17-for-109). Their power play at First Arena is second in the league, clicking on 25.6% (10-for-39) of their chances, which only trails Toledo (31.8%).

Reading's penalty kill allowed just its third goal over the last 13 games since Dec. 3, a stretch where the Royals are 42-for-45 (93.3%). Despite the recent run of success, the Royals penalty kill still ranks 23rd overall in the ECHL at 80.2%, surrendering 24 power-play goals in 121 chances.

The Jackals penalty was a perfect 3-for-3 last night and improved to 14th in the ECHL at 83.5% (101-for-121). They are seventh at home, stopping 86.7% of opposition power plays.

Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets! Call (607) 734-7825 or visit jackalshockey.com to order your season tickets today!

Follow the Jackals at www.jackalshockey.com, on Facebook, Twitter (@JackalsHockey) and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.

Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call (607) 734-7825 or visit http://www.jackalshockey.com/groups/.

Officially licensed Elmira Jackals replica team jerseys, apparel and headwear can be purchased online at: http://www.jackalshockey.com/

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Upcoming Games:

Friday, January 13th: Elmira Jackals vs. Reading Royals - 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, January 14th: Elmira Jackals vs. Reading Royals - 7:05 p.m.

Monday, January 16th: Elmira Jackals at Reading Royals - 1:00 p.m.

Friday, January 20th: Elmira Jackals at Manchester Monarchs - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 21st: Elmira Jackals at Manchester Monarchs - 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 22nd: Elmira Jackals at Manchester Monarchs - 3:00 p.m.

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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.

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