Jackals clinch playoff berth in inaugural ECHL campaign
March 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the ECHL, clinched a Kelly Cup playoff berth tonight as a result of Johnstown's 4-1 win over the Trenton Devils earlier today. The playoff appearance will mark the first trip back to the post season for the Jackals since the spring of 2004 when Elmira lost to Muskegon in the United Hockey League's Colonial Cup finals.
With 73 points in the North Division standings, the best Trenton could do is tie the Jackals in points if they were to win their remaining 12 games and Elmira failed to gain a point in their remaining 14 contests. In that scenario, the first tiebreaker would be greater number of wins (both clubs would have 33). The second tiebreaker would be head-to-head results in the season series. Elmira has already won the season series with a record of 7-1-1-0 with three games remaining, clinching the playoff berth in their first season in the ECHL.
Winners of two straight games, the Jackals enter the week in second place in the North Division. Picking up four points in a pair of games, Elmira slipped back in front of Reading with last night's 3-2 overtime win in Johnstown combined the Royals shootout loss at Cincinnati. With the Jackals idle today, Reading remained at 72 points in the North Division after dropping a 6-3 decision in Wheeling tonight.
The battle for home ice advantage in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs heats up with the second place Jackals meeting the third place Royals in a home-and-home set this week. The clubs tangle at Sovereign Center in Reading Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. where the Royals have won four of the five games this year between the clubs. The return engagement comes to Elmira Friday at 7:35 p.m. where the Jackals have won all three games this season at First Arena against the Royals.
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The Elmira Jackals will conclude a three-game road trip Wednesday night when they visit Reading in a 6:35 p.m. face-off. The contest can be heard live on MAGIC-FM (92.7/97.7) and on-line at www.jackalshockey.com beginning at 6:05 p.m. with the Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face-Off.
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