Jackals End 2009 With Win Over Chiefs

December 31, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals broke a 2-2 tie with two goals in ten seconds in the second period to take control of their Thursday night game with the Johnstown Chiefs at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, PA., and the Jackals went on to win 6-3 in the last game of 2009.

Elmira trailed 1-0 early on, when Connor Shields scored his 14th goal of the season at 7:37 of the first period.

The Jackals wasted no time in tying the game, however. Justin Donati's right-circle shot was initially stopped by Johnstown goaltender John Murray, but trickled over the goal line to tie the game just 39 seconds later.

Later on in the period, the Jackals took their first lead of the game when Tyler Donati's wrist shot from the slot beat Murray high stick side to make it 2-1 at 18:36 of the first period.

Johnstown tied the game 2-2 at 3:51 of the second period when a scramble in front led to a Bryan Marshall goal from the left circle.

After the teams played ten minutes of back-and-forth hockey, the Jackals took command in the blink of an eye. Olivier Proulx backhanded a puck past a sprawled-out Murray to make it 3-2 at 15:50 of the second and just ten seconds later, Brendan Connolly wristed a puck past Murray top shelf to take a two-goal lead at 4-2.

In the third period, a loose puck in front was tipped in by Jarrett Konkle, playing in his first game in Johnstown since being traded by the Chiefs to the Jackals earlier this month, for the 5-2 lead at 9:37.

The Chiefs scored a goal at 16:29 of the third period on a tip-in by Marshall, but Justin Donati's empty-netter sealed the game, making it 6-3 at 18:59 of the third period.

Justin Donati, selected as a starter for the American Conference All-Star Team earlier in the day, had two goals, an assist and a +2. Maxime Gratchev, selected to the team as well, had an assist.

Jackals goaltender Julian Ellis improved to 2-1 with the Jackals, making 22 saves on 25 Chiefs shots. Murray fell to 1-1 with the Chiefs, making 24 saves on 29 Jackals attempts.

The Jackals, moving to within five points of the top spot in the American East Division, improved to 15-13-2-2 on the season and won their fourth in the last five games.

Elmira, in the midst of a period of six games in eight days, have won three games in the first four games of that stretch. Johnstown fell to 9-17-3-3 with the loss. Elmira returns home to First Arena as they host the Trenton Devils on Friday, Jan. 1. Fans will receive Jackals concept photos. For tickets, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto Ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2009


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