Jackals Game Preview: Elmira at Wheeling
March 31, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira Jackals (45-22-2-2) at Wheeling Nailers (36-26-4-5)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
7:35 p.m.
WesBanco Arena
RADIO: 99.5 WOKN/102.5 (Corning)/98.3 WVIN (Bath)
WEBCAST: JackalsHockey.com
IN JUST A FEW HOURS...
The Elmira Jackals will try to secure their first regular-season conference title since joining the ECHL when they take on the Wheeling Nailers in the final game of the 2011-2012 campaign at 7:35 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. The Jackals earned a 3-2 overtime win over the Reading Royals in Elmira's home finale on Friday night, with Dustin Gazley netting the game winner 43 seconds into the extra session. A loss by Gwinnett to the Florida Everblades that night gave the Jackals a one-point lead on the Gladiators for first place in the Eastern Conference entering the final day of the regular season. Elmira would clinch first place in the conference with a win tonight over Wheeling, an overtime or a shootout loss to the Nailers and a Gwinnett shootout win over Florida, or any form of a Gladiators loss to the Everblades. Jackals coach Pat Bingham will try to win his second regular-season conference championship in the ECHL and his first since leading Wheeling to a 51-17-4 record in the 2003-2004 campaign. An Alaska loss on Friday night guaranteed the Jackals sole possession of the most victories in the league in 2011-2012.
GAZLEY TAKES THREE-POINT LEAD INTO FINAL DAY
Dustin Gazley has a three-point lead on Las Vegas' Adam Miller for the ECHL's scoring title entering the final day of the regular season. Gazley had two goals and an assist on Friday night to raise his league-leading scoring total to 84 points (25g-59a). If Gazley wins the league scoring title, he would become the fifth rookie in ECHL history to lead all skaters in points. Additionally, Elmira would become the first team in ECHL history with the leading scorer in three-straight seasons. Tyler Donati led the league in 2009-2010 with 114 points (38g-76a) while Justin Donati topped the ECHL in 2010-2011 with 94 points (27g-67a). Gazley was honored earlier this week for his efforts this season, being named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team and the All-ECHL First Team.
JACKALS TIE OVERALL FRANCHISE WINS RECORD
With their 45th win of the season last night, the Jackals tied their overall franchise record for victories in a season, originally set in the 74-game UHL season of 2001-2002. Elmira's win total is its highest since entering the ECHL in 2007-2008. The Jackals' 25 wins on home ice, 20 victories on the road, and 94 points are the most for the club in ECHL competition.
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