Jackals hold off stubborn Devils 4-3
December 15, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Brett Pilkington scored fifty-one seconds into the game to the Elmira Jackals rolling, but it would take a Bruce Watson tally 6:13 into the final period to finally deliver a 4-3 win over the Trenton Devils in front of 3,920 fans at First Arena, the sixth sellout of the season.
Pilkington's wraparound goal off of a Frank Littlejohn rebound gave the Jackals a 1-0 lead, but it would be the Trevor Kell Show as he would single-handedly pull the Devils from behind on three separate occasions.
He netted his first of the night and third of the season at 6:17 of the opening period, banking a centering feed off of the left leg of goaltender Joel Martin (19 saves) to tie the contest at 1-1 at the end of one.
Elmira inched back out in front with another quick strike to start the period with Kevin Ulanski getting his second goal in as many games after going goalless in his past twelve games entering the weekend.
Cutting down the slot, Pierre-Luc Faubert led Ulanski through the slot and into the left circle where Ulanski sent a laser beam over the glove hand of Trenton goalie Jason Smith (23 saves) for a 2-1 advantage just sixty-eight seconds into the middle frame.
The Devils counter punched on their first power play of the game with Kell slipping a steep angle shot from the bottom of the left circle between the pads of Martin to tie the game at 5:35.
Trenton then worked their second man advantage of the game when Littlejohnwas called for tripping at 14:02. As Elmira finished the kill, Littlejohn emerged from the penalty box just in time to join a Luke Fulghum rush.
Fulghum (two assists) dropped the puck off at the top of the right win circle where Littlejohn stepped into a drive that zipped over the blocker arm of Smith and into the net at 16:16 for a 3-2 lead.
That lead lasted all of sixty-three seconds when Kell capped off his hattrick when he lifted a close-in shot past Martin's glove to finish a three-on-one rush and pull the Devils even at 3-3 at the end of two periods.
Trenton outshot Elmira 9-6 in the final period, but it would be home team taking the lead for the final time when Watson cashed in with 13:47 still showing on the clock.
Faubert picked up a loose puck behind the Devils' net and slid a pass to Watson, stationed to the left of the crease. Watson wasted little time flipping in the go-ahead strike from the edge of the blue paint for a 4-3 lead that would hold as the final score.
With three assists, Faubert set a personal best for assists and points in a game in his rookie season and was awarded the game's First Star honors. In the process, he also extended his team-high point scoring streak to six games.
Elmira outshot Trenton 27-22 with Martin picking up his league-leading 13th win in goal while absorbed the loss for the Devils.
The Jackals were scoreless on two power play chances and killed two of three Devils opportunities.
Elmira's win their fifth in a row at First Arena and their fourth straight overall moves their record to 18-6-0-2 on the year, good for 38 points atop the North Division.
The Jackals are next in action on the road Friday and Saturday against the Wheeling Nailers in a pair of contests to close out the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule. Face-off both nights is 7:35 p.m. with radio coverage beginning both night with the Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face-Off at 7:05 p.m. with the Voice of the Jackals, Grady Whittenburg.
Elmira's next home game is Saturday, December 29th, against the Cincinnati Cyclones with face-off slated for 7:35 p.m. at First Arena. Good seats still remain and can be purchased at the Gray Street box office - First Arena, charge-by-phone by calling 722-3711 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.
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