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Jackals Loss Takes Edge Off Clinching Home Ice

April 2, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


ELMIRA, NY - Stephen Wood's right wing drive found the back of the net with 3:53 left in regulation as the Trenton Devils tripped up the Elmira Jackals 3-2 Wednesday night in front of 3,238 fans at First Arena. Despite the loss, the Jackals clinched second place in the North Division as Reading lost to Johnstown 4-1. Elmira will hold home ice advantage in its first round playoff series against Reading that begins April 11th at First Arena (full first round playoff schedule follows game recap).

Wood's game-winner came moments after the Jackals misfired on their sixth and final power play of the night that failed to generate much pressure before seeing the Devils strike in transition.

The teams entered the final period tied 1-1 and Elmira facing 1:41 of a 5-on-3 disadvantage thanks to a bench minor (too many men) picked up late in the second period along with a Bobby Robins goaltender interference call as the period concluded.

The Jackals penalty came through in the third and held the Devils scoreless in five chances, but after Robins came out of the box, Trenton turned across the Jackals line and Eric Castonguay snapped a wrister past Joel Martin (23 saves) at 2:11 to put the Devils in front.

Chaz Johnson tied the game at 8:20 of the final period as he broke to the goal mouth and Faubert put a perfect pass on his stick to set up Chaz's 23rd of the season and make it 2-2.

It seemed as it the teams would settle for playing a scoreless game through a scoreless opening period and much of the second frame.

Elmira finally broke the seal on the game's scoring in the middle period with a power play goal just eight seconds after Trenton's Jim Henkel was sent off for tripping Benoit Doucet in the slot.

Chris Busby unloaded a shot from the point that Devils' netminder Jason Smith (34 saves) knocked down, but couldn't control. Chaz Johnson and Doucet both had cracks at the rebound before the puck landed on Pierre-Luc Faubert's stick. Wasting no time, Faubert lifted home his 30th of the season at 14:00 to make it 1-0.

The Devils tied it on a controversial goal late in the middle frame when Chris Poli was credited with his third of the year, all coming against the Jackals, with 2:34 left. Poli was the last touch a puck that skidded away from a crowd of players in the deep slot, eluded goaltender Martin and slid into the net

First Round playoff dates vs. Reading in the North Division semifinals:

Game #1 Fri., April 11th @ Elmira 7:35 p.m.

Game #2 Sat., April 12th @ Reading 7:05 p.m.

Game #3 Tue., April 15th @ Elmira 7:05 p.m.

Game #4 Thu., April 17th @ Reading 7:05 p.m.

Game #5 Sat., April 19th @ Elmira 7:35 p.m.*

Game #6 Sun., April 20th @ Reading 5:05 p.m. *

Game #7 Mon., April 21st @ Elmira 7:05 p.m. *

Tickets for Games #1 through #4 are on sale now. For games at First Arena, tickets are available at the Gray Street box office (10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday), on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 722-3711. Tickets for games in Reading may purchased on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

***

Before the game, the Elmira Jackals announced that they had signed defenseman Nicolas Dumoulin and forward Mike Richard, both out of Elmira College, and forward Chris Tutalo to ECHL contracts. All three skaters made their professional debut in Wednesday's contest against the Trenton Devils.

Dumoulin and Richard had been practicing informally with the club while waiting for immigration paperwork to be processed. Both traveled with the club this past weekend to Ohio, but were unable to be activated. Their paperwork was finalized less than two hours before Wednesday's face-off, allowing them to be signed by the Jackals in making their professional debuts

Tutalo joins the Jackals from the Lewiston MAINEacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 69 games this season, Tutalo scored 16 goals and totaled 49 points with 60 penalty minutes. In three seasons in the QMJHL, he netted 39 goals, 56 assists, 105 points and 158 penalty minutes. He played on last year's Memorial Cup club in Lewiston with current Jackals' teammate Pierre-Luc Faubert.

***

The Elmira Jackals are next in action Friday at Trenton in a 7:30 p.m. face-off. Follow the Jackals on MAGIC-FM (92.7/97.7) and at www.jackalshockey.com with coverage from Sovereign Bank Arena beginning at 7 p.m. with the Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face-Off.



ECHL Stories from April 2, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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