Jackals Lose Four Straight Games, Allow 23 Goals

Published on March 21, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Week 23 Game Results:

3/16/05 ADIRONDACK 8 - Jackals 2

Glens Falls, NY - The Adirondack Frostbite move to 12-1-2 against the Elmira Jackals this season with an 8-2 romp Wednesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Adirondack grabbed the lead at 11:30 when Sylvain Cloutier slipped one past Greg Hewitt from a tough angle for a power play goal. Later in the period David Vychodil blasted a slap shot over Hewitt's glove for a 2-0 lead after one period.

The Frostbite had 19 shots after the first period, and although they only threw 18 on goal in the second period, the pucks started going in more frequently. Adirondack scored three times in the middle frame to stretch their lead. J.F. Labarre scored just 16 seconds into the period and seven minutes later defenseman Bob Rapoza made it 4-0 Frostbite at 7:41. Dean Jackson cracked the armor of Derek Gustafson, lifting his own rebound up over the fallen goaltender at 9:15 to make it 4-1. But Adirondack regained their 4-goal lead just before the break when Scott Page forced in a past from Labarre at 18:58.

Adirondack blew the game wide open in the final period, scoring three more times before the final whistle. Frank Bakrlik scored at 2:27 and Ryan Bennett tallied at 11:47. Bill Cass scored his second goal of the season at 12:51 assisted by Jeff Antonovich and Chris Shaw to make the score 7-2. But Labarre scored his second of the game at 19:06 to finish off the evening.

Goaltender Derek Gustafson made 23 saves on 25 shots for the win. Greg Hewitt stopped 32-of-37 through the first two periods before being relieve by Kevin Kurk for the final twenty minutes; Kurk made 12 saves on 15 shots.

3/18/05 DANBURY 3 - Jackals 0

Danbury, CT - The Danbury Trashers came one step closer to clinching a playoff spot as they blanked the Elmira Jackals Friday night 3-0 at the Danbury Ice Arena.

The Jackals and Trashers played a hectic first period that was played at a feverish pace and was surprisingly short of penalties. Only Chris Shaw and Jeff State went to the sin bin for their scrap at 14:51. Earlier in the period Dean Jackson was drilled into the boards by Doug Christiansen, knocking the winger out of the game; however, referee Jack McCoy assessed no penalty.

The intensity and pace continued unabated in a penalty-free second period. Bruce Richardson got the Trashers on the board by poking home a rebound from a Nic Bilotto shot from the point at 5:51. Michael Rupp made it 2-0 Danbury at 16:48 by sending home a rebound from a J.F. David shot. Danbury out-shot the Jackals 22-5 in the middle frame.

In the third period Alex Goupil made it 3-0 in the final period and the Jackals failed to find the twine.

Scott Stirling stopped all 19 shots for his 4th shutout of the season. Kevin Kurk took the loss, making 45 saves on 48 shots.

3/19/05 DANBURY 7 - Jackals 1

Elmira, NY - The Danbury Trashers steamrolled the Elmira Jackals in the second game of their home-and-home series on their way to a 7-1 victory Saturday night at the First Arena.

The first period was very tightly contested. Jeff Daw put the Trashers on the board with a power play goal at 3:36 from J.F. David and Doug Christiansen. The Jackals answered late in the period when Nathan Gillies snapped a fantastic wrist shot past Ryan McIntosh at 18:15 assisted by Alex Mathieu and Eddy Lowe to tie the game at one.

In the second period Danbury stepped up the offense and took the lead for good. Even strength goals from Alex Goupil, newcomer Francis Belanger and David put the Trashers up 4-1 after forty minutes of play. Elmira was out-shot 20-to-7 in the second period.

The garbage men would add three more goals in the third period to put this one away. Mike Bayrack scored two straight goals and Christiansen added a goal of his own to finish off Elmira. Danbury out-shot the Jackals 14-to-1 in the final frame.

Ryan McIntosh picked up the win for Danbury, making 12 saves on 13 Jackals shots. Kevin Kurk had another busy night in the net, stopping 40-of-47 while taking the loss for the Jackals.

3/20/05 RICHMOND 6 - Jackals 5

Elmira, NY - The Richmond Riverdogs lost an early lead but came back to beat the Elmira Jackals 6-5 Sunday at the First Arena.

The fans were not settled in the seats when David Hymovitz snuck behind the defense to slap home a rebound just 18 seconds into the game for a 1-0 Richmond lead. Newcomer Alex Mathieu scored his first goal as a Jackals to tie the game at 4:02, which his pass deflected off a Riverdog and found the net. Charlie Elezi then gave Elmira its only lead of the game when he scored his first goal of the season at 14:51, assisted by Jason Jaworski and Jason Cassells. But Ryan Prentice tied things up at 19:16 to make the score 2-2 after one period.

Richmond regained the lead in the second period and would cling to it all the way to the end. Bill Downey scored at 4:10, his first goal for Richmond, then David Brosseau made it 4-2 at 8:53 with a short-handed goal. Nathan Gillies brought the Jackals back within a goal when scored at 12:42 from Eddy Lowe and Jeff Antonovich. Richmond answered at 16:52 with a goal from Kurtis McLean to make it 5-3 after two.

David Hymovitz struck again halfway through the third period when he stole the puck and raced in alone on Greg Hewitt and scored his second goal of the game at 11:54, his 31st goal of the season. Elmira came back to make the score 6-4 at 12:32 when defenseman Sergei Durdin found the net, his first goal with the Jackals. Alex Mathieu made it closer by scoring his second goal of the game with 0.2 seconds left on the clock, assisted by Gillies and Jaworski, but it was too late for to score an equalizer.

Dan McIntyre earned his first win since being traded from Flint, stopping 38-of-43 in the win. Greg Hewitt made 48 saves on 54 shots in the loss for Elmira.

JACKALS PLAYER AND GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: (WEEK 23)

Alex Mathieu - C 3 GP, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 pts, -4
Alex Mathieu came to Elmira this week as part of a 3-player trade with Quad City. Joining the lineup Friday in Danbury he made an immediate impact in a depleted Jackals roster. Mathieu scored two goals and added an assist Sunday against Richmond. He also had an assist on the only Jackals goal Saturday in a 7-1 loss to Danbury.

Kevin Kurk - G 3 GP, 0-2-0, 5.57 GAA, 0.883 SV%, 98 saves
Kevin Kurk turned aside 98 shots in seven periods of action. Kurk was exceptional Friday versus Danbury, but Elmira failed to score any goals in a 3-0 loss. Kurk was again on his game Saturday, but the Jackals slumped as they took a 7-1 loss. He also came in for the third period Wednesday for a relief effort, making 12 saves against Adirondack. He finished the week with a 5.57 GAA and a 0.883 save percentage.

JACKAL BITES:

* CAN'T RUN FOREVER - F Charlie Elezi scored his first goal as a member of the Jackals on Sunday against Richmond. It was the 41st game for Elezi this year, who has two assists and 53 penalty minutes this season.

* NEW ACCOUNTS - C Alex Mathieu and D Sergei Durdin each scored their first goals in a Jackals uniform Sunday versus Richmond. Both players came in a trade with Quad City for Jamie Thompson last Monday.

* MORE NEW STUFF - C Jason Cassells made his professional debut Saturday night against Danbury. The Elmira College senior recorded his first pro points Sunday by getting two assists in the game.

* HOME-BITTERSWEET-HOME - The Jackals suffered their worst home loss of the season Saturday versus the Danbury Trashers. After losing 9-1 in Muskegon a week ago, Elmira lost 7-1 at the First Arena against the Trashers.

NEWS AND NOTES:

Elmira Jackals Team Leaders:

Goals: Jason Sessa (32)
Assists: Trevor Burgess, Jeff Antonovich (34)
Points: Jason Sessa (59)
Plus/Minus: Craig Macdonald (+3)
Penalty Minutes: Chris Shaw (164)
Power Play Goals: Jason Sessa (16)
Short Handed Goals: Eddy Lowe, Jamie Thompson, Carl Drakensjo (2)
Shots: Jason Sessa (208)
Shooting Percentage: Jarrett Konkle (27.3%)
Saves: Greg Hewitt (1605)
Wins: Greg Hewitt (15)
GAA: Kevin Kurk, Greg Hewitt (3.68)
Save Percentage: Kevin Kurk (.898)

Jackals Jam
Don't forget to check out the next edition Jackals Jam on WENY-TV. Broadcaster Owen Newkirk and WENY Sports Director Neille Giffune will recap another exciting week of Jackals hockey, including an interview with Head Coach Todd Brost, a Jackals player profile, and skills segment with Owen and a Jackal. Jackals Jam airs every Sunday night at 11:00 pm on WENY-TV (ABC).

Coach's Show

Don't miss the The Elmira Jackals Coach's Show broadcast LIVE Tuesday night from Patrick's Pub, 303 College Ave. at 7pm. Join Head Coach Dave Schultz and Voice of the Jackals Owen Newkirk, along with defenseman George Pujacs and center Alex Mathieu for the broadcast. Tune in on WiNGZ 104.9 FM or stream it online at www.jackalshockey.com - Fans are encouraged to email their questions for any of the Coach's Show participants to jackalshockey@jackalshockey.com no later than 3 pm on Tuesday before the show.

2004-05 RECORD: 22-43-5, 49 points (15-20-1 home, 7-23-4 road), Fourth Place, Eastern Division

Week 24 Game Schedule:
March 25 7:30 pm vs. Danbury Trashers (41-23-5, 87 pts) Second Place, Eastern Division
March 26 7:05 pm @ Adirondack Frostbite (43-19-8, 94 pts) First Place, Eastern Division
March 27 5:00 pm vs. Motor City Mechanics (25-36-7, 57 pts) Fifth Place, Central Division

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 21, 2005


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