Jackals Outdone by Orlando in Overtime, 4-3
February 14, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
ORLANDO, FL - February 14, 2016 - The Elmira Jackals clawed back from deficits on three occasions tonight at the Amway Center against the Orlando Solar Bears forcing the game into overtime and securing a point but were outdone in the end by Eric Baier's overtime game-winner.
The Jackals jumped on the Solar Bears in the opening frame testing goaltender Rob Madore with a series of shots who appeared to be up to the task early on. Despite the Jackals outshooting and out-chancing the Solar Bears throughout the first 20 minutes, Orlando struck first in the dying seconds of the period. Eric Faille forced the puck into traffic from the corner and as the puck laid just outside the crease Eric Baier swung through stealing the puck from Alex Vazzano's poke-check attempt and burying it for his seventh goal of the season with 14 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
Elmira broke through early in the second period with a beautiful passing play deep in the Orlando end. Nathan Oystrick laid the puck down the wall from the point to Mark Bennett below the goal line who dropped a pass to Tyler Currier and the former Solar Bear dropped the puck yet again to Matt Garbowsky in the low slot. Garbowsky patiently out-waited Madore and toed the puck around the netminder depositing it for his second goal of the season.
Orlando regained the lead at 9:11 of the second period as Nicklas Lindberg played the puck behind the Jackals net to Brady Vail who threw a blind backhand pass to the slot to Jack Rodewald for his 10th goal of the season.
Just over a minute later the pesky pack tied the game as Kevin Clare worked the puck over to Zach Cohen who fed a pass out of the corner to the slot for Mark Bennett's backhand strike. Bennett's sixth goal of the season came at 10:22 of the second period.
However, Jack Rodewald surfaced again later in the second period regaining the Orlando lead with his second goal of the night and 11th of the season. Eric Faille forced the puck into the slot to Matt Rupert which tipped to Rodewald in front of the net who pulled it from his backhand to the forehand for the power-play goal.
The Jackals entered the third period trailing by one but utilized the power-play to even the game at 12:01 of the final frame of regulation. Justin Bernhardt and Cason Hohmann worked the puck on the man advantage and played it up to the point where Kyle Bushee gathered it and fired a slap shot past Madore for his third power-play goal in the last four games tying the game 3-3.
Sixty minutes wasn't enough to provide a winner so the game went to overtime and at 3:41 Eric Baier took a pass from Eric Faille then streamed down the right wing side and fired the game-winner over Vazzano's shoulder.
Alex Vazzano turned aside 26 of 30 shots faced but suffered the loss. Rob Madore stopped 52 of 55 shots faced to earn the win.
Note: The Jackals fired a season-high 55 shots on goal.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from February 14, 2016
- Jackals Outdone by Orlando in Overtime, 4-3 - Elmira Jackals
- Mele Plays Overtime Hero as Cyclones Win Fourth Straight - Cincinnati Cyclones
- GAME: IceMen Lose Lead, Game to Cyclones in Overtime - Evansville IceMen
- Baier, Madore Lift Solar Bears to 4-3 OT Win over Jackals - Orlando Solar Bears
- Mavericks Sweep Fuel in Weekend Series - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oilers Trump Thunder in Overtime, 2-1 - Tulsa Oilers
- Lerg's tremendous night leads Walleye to win over Fort Wayne 3-2 - Toledo Walleye
- Oilers Grab 2-1 OT Win on Valentine's Day vs. Thunder - Wichita Thunder
- No Love for Nailers in Manchester on Valentine's Day - Wheeling Nailers
- Slow Start Dooms Royals against Adirondack, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- K-Wings Play Heart-Breaker on Valentine's Day - Kalamazoo Wings
- Ruby Rock Solid But K-Wings Edge Beast - Brampton Beast
- Monarchs Nail Wheeling, 6-2 - Manchester Monarchs
- ECHL Transactions - February 14 - ECHL
- Elmira Ends Road Trip in Orlando - Elmira Jackals
- Game Notes: vs Evansville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Oilers Romance Wichita in Tulsa Tonight: Valentines Game Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Nailers at Monarchs Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Gameday: Adirondack at Reading - Adirondack Thunder
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- ECHL Today - February 14 - ECHL
- Aces Battle Back for a 5-4 Win Saturday vs Allen - Alaska Aces
- Americans Blow Two Goal Lead, Fall to Alaska 5-4 - Allen Americans
- Elmira Edged by Everblades, 4-2 - Elmira Jackals
- Mavericks Win Second Game of Weekend Series over Fuel - Kansas City Mavericks
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.
