Jackals Open 2016 with Win in Kalamazoo

Published on January 2, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI - The Elmira Jackals held off a late push by the Kalamazoo Wings tonight at the Wings Event Center for a 5-4 victory. Garrett Ladd led the way with two goals while Colin Jacobs, Spiro Goulakos and Justin Bernhardt also tallied goals. C.J. Motte made 26 saves for the win. The Jackals won the season series against the Wings three games to two.

The Jackals jumped ahead in the first period at 13:17 when Cason Hohmann played the puck off the wall to Chris Langkow who fired a shot and created a rebound in front for Garrett Ladd to punch home earning his first goal as a member of the Jackals. Just over two minutes later the Jackals doubled their lead as Mike Seidel put the puck on net causing a loose puck in the slot where Colin Jacobs was waiting to pop in the rebound.

The Wings quickly cut the Jackals' lead back down to one with a breakaway goal from Tanner Sorenson just 19 seconds into the second period. Despite the early push by Kalamazoo, the Jackals steadied and pulled the momentum back onto their side resulting in extended offensive zone possession and scoring chances. At 10:13, the Jackals countered Kalamazoo's second period goal with Spiro Goulakos' fifth goal of the season. Elmira held puck possession for a prolonged period of time in the Wings' end and as it popped up to the point for Guy LeBoeuf he played it down to the bottom of the circle for Mike Seidel who found Goulakos cross-ice at the point for the blast. LeBoeuf's assist was his first point as a member of the Jackals. Just 31 seconds later the Jackals struck again as Garrett Ladd finished off the play with a backhand past Joel Martin for his second goal of the night. Cason Hohmann and Jacob MacDonald earned the assists on Ladd's marker. The Jackals weren't done scoring yet as Justin Bernhardt scooped up a rebound following an odd-man rush by Garrett Klotz and Tyler Currier for his fifth goal of the season in his first game back since December 6. Kalamazoo chipped one in with 18 seconds remaining in the second period as Tanner Sorenson capitalized from the slot with a wrist shot for his second goal of the night.

Building off the momentum from the late goal in the second period, the Wings began to climb back into the contest. At 8:21 of the third period, Dane Fox was the recipient of a partially fanned-on shot from Charlie Vasaturo finding Fox backdoor for his team-leading 11th goal of the season. Then, at 15:08, Alex Mallet was hit with friendly fire off Adam Phillips' point shot and found the loose puck in his feet for the power-play goal. Suddenly, the Jackals lead whittled away to one and created a frantic finish, but C.J. Motte was there to shut the door on Kalamazoo's comeback bid.

C.J. Motte turned aside 26 of 30 shots faced to earn his ninth win of the season. Joel Martin allowed five goals on 28 shots in the losing effort.

Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets! Call (607) 734-7825 or visit jackalshockey.com to order your season tickets today!

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 2, 2016


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.

OurSports Central