Jackals Look to Take Season Series against Admirals
March 10, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Game 60: Elmira Jackals (13-38-7-1) vs. Norfolk Admirals (21-33-4-0)
7:05 p.m., First Arena, Elmira, New York
The Jackals and Norfolk Admirals wrap up their nine-game season series as they play the fourth head-to-head meeting in an eight day stretch. They played twice in Virginia last week, where both teams won once, and then the Jackals won 5-4 last night. It's the second game of a season-long nine-game homestand for the Jackals, who don't play another road game until Mar. 31 .
The Admirals have lost three consecutive games--twice against the Jackals and once on the road in Reading--dropping to 3-7-0-0 in their last 10 games. Overall, Norfolk is 21-33-4-0 and sit in last place in the South Division and 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 46 points.
The Jackals have back-to-back wins for just the second time this season and three wins in the last four games since last Wednesday. Elmira is now 13-38-7-1 on the season with a 4-5-1-0 record in their last 10 games. With 34 points, the Jackals are in sixth place in the North Division and 13th place in the Eastern Conference.
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Last time out
Casey Thrush notched four points and the Jackals fended off a late Norfolk Admirals rally to beat the Admirals, 5-4, last night at First Arena.
T.J. Foster staked the Admirals to a 1-0 lead in the first period, but the Jackals roared back with a four-goal second period. Thrush started the run with a backhand goal just 18 seconds into the period. Then Sebastien Sylvestre scored a highlight reel goal at 11:08. Thrush followed that with a shorthanded goal on a breakaway to make it 3-1 and Justin Kea scored on a wraparound for a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.
The Admirals took it to the Jackals in the third, making things interesting late. After John Dunbar got Norfolk within two, Kenton Miller answered back with a power-play goal at 16:17, giving the Jackals a 5-2 lead. the Admirals came back with two quick goals, but the Jackals held on for the 5-4 win.
Back-to-back
With last night's win, the Jackals have won back-to-back games for the second time this season and for the first time since late November. In the first instance, the Jackals downed the Manchester Monarchs twice at First Arena, Nov. 26-27.
The Jackals also have wins in three of their last four games for the first time since Nov. 26-Dec. 2, which was a part of their season-long five-game point streak (3-0-2-0) .
Head-to-head
Tonight is the ninth and final head-to-head match between the Jackals and Admirals in 2016-17. It will be the decisive game in the series, which currently is even at four wins apiece as both teams hold 3-1 records on home ice. The Jackals have won the last two games after Norfolk won the previous three.
Despite being kept off the score sheet last night, Paul Rodrigues (2g, 7a) leads the Admirals with nine points in the eight games against the Jackals. For Elmira, Kyle Rankin picked a point last night and is the top scorer against the Admirals, potting seven points (1g, 7a) in the eight game series, while also racking up a team-best +6 rating.
In net, Brandon Anderson has started three games against the Jackals and is 2-1-0 with a 2.67 goals-against average and a.914 save percentage with one shutout. Philippe Desrosiers has started the last three and is 1-2-0 with a 4.36 goals-against average and an .852 save percentage in the three games.
Scouting the Admirals
The Admirals have lost three straight games, dropping to 3-7-0-0 their last 10 games and sliding to 21-33-4-0 on the season. At 46 points, Norfolk remains four points behind Atlanta and in seventh place in the South Division. After this two-game stop in Elmira, the Admirals continue their road trip Sunday in Manchester to close the weekend.
The Admirals are up to 22nd in the league offensively with 2.86 goals per game. T.J. Foster, acquired from Orlando, has helped boost their offense with 36 points (16g, 20a) in 36 games with Norfolk. Overall he has 41 points (18g, 23a) in 48 games between the Admirals and Solar Bears. John Dunbar is second with 35 points (16g, 19a) in 47 games.
Brandon Anderson and Philippe Desrosiers are Norfolk's two goalies entering the week. Anderson is 11-9-0 with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage. He has three shutouts, which came in three straight games at the beginning of 2017, including one over Elmira. Desrosiers has played in 10 games with Norfolk since being reassigned by AHL-Texas. He is 5-4-0 with a 3.43 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. Mix in his 13 appearances with Idaho and he is 10-7-0-2 with a 3.63 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage.
Special teams
Norfolk's power play is 21st in the ECHL at 15.3%, scoring on 30-of-196 power plays. Although they were 0-for-4 last night, they have fared well against the Jackals, potting seven power-play goals and holding an 18.4% success rate.
The Jackals power play struck on their last opportunity last night and has scored in five of the last six games and has seven power-play goals in the last eight games, going 7-for-31 (22.6%) in those games. They have risen to 31-for-196 (15.8%) on the season, ranking 19th in the ECHL. They are 6-for-32 (18.8%) against the Admirals this season.
The Admirals penalty kill ranks 22nd in the ECHL at 80.4%, giving up 43 power-play goals. They have been better on the road, where they are ninth in the league at 82.7%.
The Jackals penalty kill was 4-for-4 last night, continuing their success at First Arena, where they are now fourth in the league at 87.2%. Overall they are 19th in the ECHL at 81.2% on the kill this season.
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Upcoming Games:
Friday, March 10th: Elmira Jackals vs. Norfolk Admirals - 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 11th: Elmira Jackals vs. Reading Royals - 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15th: Elmira Jackals vs. Wheeling Nailers - 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 18th: Elmira Jackals vs. Brampton Beast - 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 19th: Elmira Jackals vs. Wheeling Nailers - 7:05 p.m.
Elmira Jackals, 155 N. Main St., Elmira, NY 14901
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