Jackals Face Four In Four Against Flint, Rockford, Adirondack

Published on December 18, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals prepare for what could be their toughest four game stretch of the year this week, four days that will see them face off at home against Flint Thursday, travel to Glens Falls Friday to battle the IceHawks, and then return home for Saturday action vs. Rockford and matinee rematch Sunday with Adirondack.

Jackals vs. Flint Generals – 7 pm @ Coach USA Center
Radio: WiNGZ 104.9 FM, 6:30 pm Pre-Game Show

Thursday's game against Flint will be the fifth meeting between the two clubs this year. Elmira holds a 3-0-1 advantage over the Generals in the series, pumping Flint in their last meeting 9-3. Randy Murphy had three goals and two assists in the game, while Glenn Stewart and Ryan Esselmont also contributed four point nights. Murphy has scored a team leading 11 points (5g, 6a) against Flint this year, with Stewart's nine points (1g, 8a) right behind him. Both Jackal goaltenders have recorded 3.00 GAA against Flint this year. Jeremy Symington is 1-0-1 against the Generals with a .910 save percentage, while Marco Emond is 2-0-0 with a .903 save percentage. Flint, meanwhile, have not registered a point in the series since the two teams first matchup of the year on November 15th in a 4-3 shootout win. The Generals have scored three goals in regulation each and every game of the series. Flint forward Tom Perry leads the team in goals (four) and total points (five) against the Jackals this season.

Jackals @ Adirondack IceHawks – 7:30 pm
Radio: WiNGZ 104.9 FM, 7 pm Pre-Game Show

Jackals vs. Adirondack IceHawks – 4 pm
Radio: WiNGZ 104.9 FM, 4 pm Pre-Game Show

Elmira and Adirondack will face off twice this week, in Glens Falls at 7:30 pm on Friday and back to the Coach USA Center for a 4 pm start on Sunday. The two teams have met eight times this year, with Elmira owning a 3-3-2 record against Adirondack. A total of 19 regular season meetings this year will certainly make for familiarity among the combatants, but a missing face for this weekend's action will be forward Jason Bone of Adirondack. Bone was handed an automatic 10 game suspension for leaving the penalty box to become involved in a second altercation on the same play. The second year player wracked up 64 minutes in penalties during the contest, decimating the single-game record of 57 held by Knoxville's Tommy Bolduc, which was set last year. For the curious, that's three game misconducts, two 10-minute misconducts, two majors, two minors, and a partridge in a pear tree.

But the two clubs, despite totaling 652 minutes in penalties, are capable offensively as well. IceHawk killer Aaron Phillips has six of his eight goals against Adirondack this year, while Randy Murphy (5-4-9) and Corey Neilson (1-8-9) lead the team in total points in the series. Meanwhile, Hugo Belanger's two goals and 12 assists lead the team in overall points, and J.C. Ruid (5-6-11) leads the goal department against Elmira. Adirondack goaltender Jason Wolfe has not lost in regulation to the Jackals yet this season, going 3-0-1 against Elmira with a .917 save percentage and 2.18 GAA.

Adirondack has undergone perhaps the most startling revival this year, coming to life after a 3-7-0 start to win 12 of their last 17 games for a 15-11-1 mark, placing them near the top of the Eastern Conference with Port Huron. Elmira, meanwhile, has been through their ups and downs this year, playing 10 of their last 12 on the road. Over that stretch the club has gone 7-4-1, and 6-3-1 away from home. The Jackals and IceHawks meet a total of 19 times this season.

Jackals vs. Rockford IceHogs – 7 pm
Radio: WiNGZ 104.9 FM, 6:30 pm Pre-Game Show

This is a game that has been heralded by some as the return of former Jackal Jeff Antonovich to the Coach USA Center. Antonovich was traded from the Elmira Jackals during the 2001-02 season to the IceHogs, missing the playoffs as Elmira marched to the Colonial Cup Finals. Rockford has come out of the game strong this year, vying for first place in the Western Conference with Muskegon and Missouri this year with their 14-11-5 record. The Jackals, however, shut down the IceHogs completely in their last game, with Marco Emond earning his first pro shutout by making 34 saves while David Lessard and Mike Thompson provided the offense in the 2-0 win. The two teams did not match up at all last season, and hadn't met since October of 2000 when Elmira was a young expansion team, earning their first win at the Rockford Metrocentre by a 6-4 score.

Rockford rookie Steve Cygan has played impressive hockey this year, leading all rookies in scoring with 10-17-27 in 30 games. Both Cygan's goal and assist totals lead rookies as well. He also leads the UHL rookie crop in shots (61), is tied for the league lead in shorthanded markers (1), and ranks third in power play goals with three. Also impressive in his freshman year is defenseman Tyson Turgeon, who has accumulated 2-8-10 in 27 games this year, placing him not only among rookie scoring leaders but defensive leaders in the UHL as well. Goaltender Brant Nicklin is fresh off the IR for the team, and will be expected to carry a full load for the IceHogs. Thus far he is 8-7-4 with a 3.25 GAA and .891 save percentage.

Elmira and Rockford will hook up twice more this season, once in each other's barn. The Jackals re-visit Rockford on January 15th, and the IceHogs return to the Coach USA Center Feburary 1st.

Notables:

- Kevin Kerr has been placed on the 7 Day IR and will not play this weekend. Kerr was hit in the hand with a Corey Neilson shot during Elmira's 4-2 loss to the Missouri River Otters on Friday. Kerr had gathered 11-7-18 in 23 games this year with the Jackals.

- Marco Emond not only earned his first pro shutout against Rockford Wednesday, but was also named UHL Goaltender of the Week for the period ending 12-15-02. Emond went 1-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .951 save percentage. Jeremy Symington won the honors earlier this season for the week ending 10-13-02.

- The Jackals' 9-3 pasting of Flint was their highest goal total since an 11-2 bombing of the Mohawk Valley Prowlers on February 18th, 2001. Randy Murphy's hat trick was his second as a Jackal, and Aaron Phillips netted his first game winner of the year.

Tickets remain on sale for these and all remaining Jackal home games through the Coach USA Center Box Office, open Mon – Fri 10 am to 6 pm, and Sat 10 am to 4 pm. You may also purchase seats through all Ticket Master locations, on line at www.TicketMaster.com, or charge by phone at (607) 722-3711.

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ECHL Stories from December 18, 2002


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