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Jackals Losing Streak Hits Eleven

March 1, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Week 20 Game Results:

2/25/05 DANBURY 4 - Jackals 2

Danbury, CT - The Danbury Trashers got a third period tie-breaking goal from Russell Spence en route to a 4-2 win over the Elmira Jackals Friday night at the Danbury Ice Arena.

The Trashers jumped out to an early lead in the first period as they got a power play goal from NHLer Michael Rupp. Rupp used his speed to burst into the zone down the left wing and turn the corner on a Jackals defenseman before firing a wrist shot that sizzled past goaltender Kevin Kurk at 3:17. However, Elmira struck back with a power play goal of their own. Dean Jackals used brute force to simply drive a slap shot from the right wing face off circle through the Trashers goalie Ryan McIntosh and into the net at 4:55, assisted by Eddy Lowe and Trevor Burgess.

In the second period Elmira's strategy to smother the ice and grind down the pace of the game was working. With injuries to Jamie Thompson, Chris Shaw and George Pujacs and AHL call-ups to Derek Campbell (Binghamton) and Darren Van Oene (Manchester) the Jackals made the trip to Connecticut with only 15 players on the bus. The team met C/LW Chris Seifert at the Danbury Ice Arena and signed him prior to game time to help the depleted squad. But four and a half minutes into the second period John Morlang caught Elmira napping and got behind the defensive neutral zone trap. Morlang swooped in all alone on Kurk from the left wing and snuck the puck between the goaltenders pads, right along the ice for a 2-1 Danbury lead. Elmira would continue to battle and was again rewarded with an equalizer. On just their second power play of the night the Jackals again took care of business as Jason Sessa collected the puck in the high slot, just inside the offensive blue line, turned and blasted a low slap shot that beat McIntosh at 17:53, assisted by Corey Foster to tie the game 2-2 after two.

It was a back and forth kind of third period. Bryan Cummings surprised the Danbury defense by stepping in from the point and weaving two players before beating McIntosh, only to see his puck ring harmlessly off the goal post. The Jackals played stingy defense, holding back the high-powered Danbury offense. It came as no surprise that the eventual game winning goal wasn't exactly highlight reel material. In a rare defensive lapse during this game, Russell Spence was left all along on the near post halfway through the third period. After Kurk kept out a blistering shot from Michael Rupp, the rebound came right to the unmarked Spence, who simply slid the puck in the wide-open net at 12:19 for a 3-2 lead. Elmira kept battling and after several great chances to tie the game, pulled Kurk in the final minute of the game for the extra attacker. After a Sessa pass was just behind a wide-open Tom Clayton in the slot, Alex Goupil skated the other way and easily scored on the empty net to ice the game.

Ryan McIntosh earned the win, stopping 18-of-20 in the game. Rookie Kevin Kurk shined in goal for the Jackals, once again giving Elmira a chance to win by making 36 saves on 39 shots.

2/26/05 DANBURY 4 - Jackals 2

Danbury, CT - The Danbury Trashers got two second period goals from Mike Bayrack en route to a 4-2 win over the Elmira Jackals Saturday night at the Danbury Ice Arena.

The Jackals took the lead at 12:13 of the first period after relentless pressure, Bill Cass scored his first goal as a Jackal, assisted by Eddy Lowe and Tom Clayton. But the Trashers cut into an almost flawless twenty-minute performance from Elmira by scoring in the last 30 seconds of the period. Alex Goupil cashed in with a one-timer from Bruce Richardson, at 19:40 to level the score after one period.

In the second period Danbury found a way to completely turn the tables back on Elmira. Mike Bayrack gave the Trashers the lead just 42 seconds into the period. Bayrack scored his second of the game at 11:39 this time a short-handed goal which made it 3-1 Danbury heading into the final period.

In the third period the Jackals cut the lead back to one when Nathan Gillies snapped a wrist shot past Scott Stirling at 10:51. However, Danbury answered almost immediately. Michael Rupp blasted home a goal at 11:21 finishing off a 3-on-1 Trashers counter attack.

Stirling stopped 23-of-25 in the game for Danbury in the winning effort. Greg Hewitt made 33 saves on 37 Danbury shots. JACKALS PLAYER AND GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: (WEEK 20)

Eddy Lowe - C 2 GP, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 pts, -1

Eddy Lowe was the only Jackal to score a point in each of the team's two games with Danbury this weekend. Lowe had an assist in each game, upping his season total to 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists). He now has 217 career points for Elmira, just two behind Randy Murphy's All-Time Jackals record.

Kevin Kurk - G 1 GP, 0-1-0, 4.07 GAA, 0.923 SV%, 36 saves

Kevin Kurk has given the Jackals a chance to win each time he's stepped in the net. He made 36 saves in at 4-2 loss to Danbury, although it was really a 1-goal game with an empty netter in the closing seconds. Kurk leads the UHL in shootout percentage going 17-for-19 (89.5%).

JACKALS PLAYER AND GOALTENDER OF THE Month: (February)

Eddy Lowe - C 8 GP, 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 pts, -9

Eddy Lowe is the Jackals Player of the Month for February. In a month where the Jackals failed to win a single game, Lowe led the team in scoring with 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists). For the season to date, Lowe has 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) which is good for 7th on the team in scoring. He now has 217 career points for Elmira, just two away from tying Randy Murphy's record as the Jackals All-Time Leading Scorer.

Kevin Kurk - G 3 GP, 0-3-0, 4.69 GAA, 0.884 SV%, 107 saves

Kevin Kurk has given the Jackals a chance to win each time he's stepped in the net. During Elmira's winless February, Kurk posted a 4.69 GAA and a 0.884 goals against average. He stopped 40 shots against Richmond, turn aside 31 against Adirondack and then he made 36 saves in at 4-2 loss to Danbury. Kurk leads the UHL in shootout percentage going 17-for-19 (89.5%).

JACKAL BITES:

* CHASING HISTORY - C Eddy Lowe is now just 2 points from becoming the Elmira Jackals All-Time Leading Scorer. In 343 career games for Elmira, Lowe has 217 points (111 goals, 106 assists) trailing the top mark of 219 points set by Randy Murphy.

* A RECORD TO FORGET - The Jackals continued to surpass their own Franchise record for most consecutive losses over the weekend. With a 4-2 loss to Danbury Saturday night Elmira has lost 11-straight games, the longest in the team's 5-year history. It is the UHL's longest winless streak of the 2004-05 season.

* TAKING A BREAK - After playing an inhuman schedule in the first half of the season G Greg Hewit has been splitting games with Kevin Kurk recently. The consequences: Hewitt is no longer the UHL leader in minutes played. Hewitt has 2,828 minutes and was passed by Rockford's Michel Robinson (2,876 minutes) over the weekend.

* ELECTRIC LAMPS - RW Jason Sessa blasted home his 15th power play goal of the season Friday night in Danbury. That goal put him back into a tie with Muskegon's Robin Bouchard for 1st in the UHL in power play goals this year.

* ALL STAR CURSE? - Elmira has not won a hockey game since the UHL All-Star break in late January. Elmira sent three players to the All-Star Game in Glens Falls, NY, but has lost 11 straight games since then.

NEWS AND NOTES:

Elmira Jackals Team Leaders:

Goals: Jason Sessa (28)
Assists: Greg Koehler (32)
Points: Greg Koehler (58)
Plus/Minus: Carl Drakensjo, Bill Cass (Even)
Penalty Minutes: Derek Campbell (145)
Power Play Goals: Jason Sessa (15)
Short Handed Goals: Eddy Lowe, Jamie Thompson, Carl Drakensjo (2)
Shots: Jason Sessa (176)
Shooting Percentage: Jamie Thompson (16.4%)
Saves: Greg Hewitt (1431)
Wins: Greg Hewitt (14)
GAA: Greg Hewitt (3.41)
Save Percentage: Greg Hewitt (.899)

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).

GOALS FOR THE GLOVE HOUSE UPDATE:

Jamie Thompson did not add to his point total in the Goals for Glove House Fundraiser due to missing the Danbury weekend win an injury. Through 40 games played Jamie has 48 points coming on 19 goals and 29 assists, good for 3rd on the Jackals in scoring.

With each point that Jamie makes throughout the season he and Harding Harley-Davidson are asking you to pledge a gift to support Glove House programs and services.

To be a part of the fundraiser just fill out a pledge form at any of the convenient locations list below and drop your form in the box provided at each location. Jamie's points will be tallied at the end of the season determining your gift to help our communities children and families.

You can fill out a pledge card at any of the following locations throughout the season:
The DogHouse Jackals Merchandise Shop
Harding Harley-Davidson
Select Jackals Home Games
Glove House
Dick's Sporting Goods
Cappy's
Club Nautilus
Pal's Sports Center
Klein's All-Sports

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 forward Charlie Elezi and left wing Dean Jackson 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.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 1, 2005


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