Jackals Polish off Home-And-Home Series with Thunder
January 29, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Game 42: Elmira Jackals (9-27-5-0) vs. Adirondack Thunder (20-13-4-3)
4:05 p.m., First Arena, Elmira, New York
The Jackals conclude a home-and-home series with the Adirondack Thunder, playing the back end of the two-game set this afternoon at First Arena. Adirondack pulled out an 8-2 win in the front end at the Glens Falls Civic Center last night, improving to 5-0-0-1 in six games against the Jackals this season.
The Thunder have points in four of five games since the All-Star Break, going 3-1-1-0 and improving to 20-13-4-3 on the season. With last night's win, Adirondack is up to 47 points on the season, but remains in fifth place in the tough North Division, on the outside of the playoff positions entering tonight.
The Jackals have lost four straight games, dropping to 9-27-5-0 on the season. With 23 points, the Jackals are in sixth place in the North Division and 13th place in the Eastern Conference. This afternoon is the final game of a seven games in 10 nights stretch for Elmira.
Broadcast Coverage
Jackals Pregame at 3:50 p.m. Radio: 1410 WELM
Tickets
4 for $44 packages can be purchased until 12 p.m. today. The package includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 fountain drinks, 4 chuck-a-pucks and 4 frosty coupons, all courtesy of Wendy's, for just $44. To purchase a 4 for $44 package, call the Box Office at (607) 734-7825.
Blade's Birthday/Post Game Skate
Today we celebrate Blade's Birthday at First Arena. Cupcakes will be given out to kids during the first intermission. After the game, skate with the Jackals during our second post game skate of the season. It is free to skate with the team and skate rentals are available through the Rec Rink.
Last time out
The Adirondack Thunder scored four goals in the third to run away with an 8-2 win over the Jackals last night at the Glens Falls Civic Center, in the first game of a home-and-home series.
It was a tight game through the first two periods. Adirondack grabbed a 2-1 lead after the first period, getting two early power-play goals by Ty Loney and Stepan Falkovsky. Greg Betzold responded with a tip in goal for the Jackals at 11:25 of the first period. Adirondack opened a two-goal lead in the second period. Brian Ward made it a 3-1 game before Sebastien Sylvestre made it 3-2 at 8:45. Greg Wolfe finished the second-period scoring at 10:14 to make it 4-2 after two.
Adirondack blew the game open in the final frame, with four straight goals over a nine minute stretch. The Thunder got goals by Falkovsky, Patch Alber, Ward and Brett Pollock to pull away with an 8-2 win.
Three-in-three
Tonight concludes the second straight three-in-three weekend for the Jackals, who also played three games in three days last weekend in Manchester. Including last weekend's set in Manchester, the Jackals have six consecutive weeks that include a three-in-three, with one every week in February. Next week the Jackals play three straight--one at home and two on the road--against Brampton.
This is the third such scenario this season; the first came the weekend following Thanksgiving, when the Jackals won a pair of games against the Monarchs and lost once against Reading. In all, the Jackals have 10 three-in-three stretches in 2016-17.
Busy time
In addition to this being the second of six straight three-in-three weeks, the Jackals are in the midst of their busiest 10-day stretch of the season . Including last weekend in Manchester, the Jackals will play seven games in 10 days, the only time this season the Jackals go through a stretch like that.
Defensive Struggle
The Jackals have had their issues defensively over the last month and a half, falling to last in the ECHL at 3.93 goals against per game. Since returning from their trip to Florida in early December, the Jackals have played in 19 games, starting with a Dec. 16 game in Manchester.
In 15 of those 19 games, the Jackals have allowed at least four goals, including two games in which they have allowed a season-high eight goals.
Head-to-head
Tonight is the seventh of 10 matches between the teams and the Thunder have points in all five, posting a 5-0-0-1 record while the Jackals are 1-4-1-0.
Mikkel Aagaard leads the series with nine points (1g, 8a) in the six games. With a four-point night last night, former Jackal Patch Alber is second with eight points (1g, 7a). Sebastien Sylvestre and Greg Betzold lead Elmira with four points (2g, 2a) against Adirondack.
In net J.P. Anderson has won both starts against the Jackals, allowing just three goals. Mason McDonald is 2-0-0 in two starts against the Jackals, allowing a total of five goals. For Elmira, Andy Iles is 0-3-1-0 in three starts against Adirondack and Jason Kasdorf lost in his one appearance.
Scouting the Thunder
The Thunder have points in four of five games out of the All-Star Break, going 3-1-1-0. They are just 4-4-2-0 over their last 10 games and are 20-13-4-3, giving them 47 points, placing them on the outside of the North Division's four playoff spots.
Adirondack has been decimated with AHL callups throughout the season, but they did get leading scorer Ty Loney back from his loan to Albany. He leads the Thunder with 34 points (16g, 18a). Captain Peter MacArthur is next with 32 points (12g, 20a), including a natural hat trick against the Jackals.
Five different goalies have played between the pipes for the Thunder with Mason McDonald leading the way with 18 appearances. The rookie is 9-6-1-2 with a 2.76 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage. J.P. Anderson, acquired in a trade from Wheeling earlier this season, is 5-3-1-0 with a 3.04 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage in 11 appearances for the Thunder. Drew Fielding is 1-2-1-0 with a 4.05 goals-against average and an .856 save percentage in four starts for Adirondack.
Special teams
The Thunder's power play clicked twice in three chances against the Jackals last night, taking advantage of two chances in the first half of the opening period to set the tone for the game. They are 34-for-156 (21.8%) on the season and are 5-for-19 (26.3%) in the series with the Jackals.
The Jackals power play was 0-for-1 last night and is 0-for-8 over the last five games. This recent stretch has dropped Elmira to 14.7%, going 19-for-129 on the season. They are 3-for-16 (18.8%) against Adirondack.
After turning aside the Jackals lone power play last night in Glens Falls, the Thunder's penalty kill is now at 79.5%, allowing 27 power-play goals in 132 shorthanded situations.
The Jackals allowed multiple power-play goals-two in three chances-last night against the Thunder, making it three times in the last seven games the Jackals have allowed at least two man-advantage goals. Elmira's penalty kill has sunk to 79.0%, allowing 30 power-play goals on the season .
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!
Follow the Jackals at www.jackalshockey.com, on Facebook, Twitter (@JackalsHockey) and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.
Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call (607) 734-7825 or visit http://www.jackalshockey.com/groups/.
Officially licensed Elmira Jackals replica team jerseys, apparel and headwear can be purchased online at: http://www.jackalshockey.com/
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Upcoming Games:
Sunday, January 29th: Elmira Jackals vs. Adirondack Thunder - 4:05 p.m.
Thursday, February 2nd: Elmira Jackals at Brampton Beast - 7:15 p.m.
Friday, February 3rd: Elmira Jackals at Brampton Beast - 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, February 4th: Elmira Jackals vs. Brampton Beast - 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, February 8th: Elmira Jackals at Cincinnati Cyclones - 7:35 p.m.
Friday, February 10th: Elmira Jackals at Cincinnati Cyclones - 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, February 11th: Elmira Jackals at Quad City Mallards - 8:05 p.m.
Sunday, February 12th: Elmira Jackals at Quad City Mallards - 5:05 p.m.
ECHL Stories from January 29, 2017
- Royals Hold on for First Win of the Season over Manchester - Reading Royals
- Rankin's Hat Trick Powers Walleye to Win - Rapid City Rush
- Royals Dethrone Monarchs, 6-3 - Manchester Monarchs
- Solar Bears Get Point in 5-4 OT Loss to Americans - Orlando Solar Bears
- Fuel Suffer Two-Game Sweep to Quad City - Indy Fuel
- Jackals Edged by Thunder - Elmira Jackals
- Henegar's Late Winner Seals Wings' Fifth Straight Victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Late Comeback Not Enough as Rays Fall to Atlanta - South Carolina Stingrays
- Stingrays Statement on Dylan Margonari - South Carolina Stingrays
- Atlanta Holds On For 5-4 Win In South Carolina - Atlanta Gladiators
- Mallards Complete Sweep of Fuel - Quad City Mallards
- Nailers Final Rally Falls Short in Kalamazoo - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - January 29 - ECHL
- Monarchs Announce Multiple Player Transactions - Manchester Monarchs
- Nailers at Wings Game Day Snap Shot, January 29 - Wheeling Nailers
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Game Preview: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Allen Americans - Orlando Solar Bears
- Gameday - Adirondack (20-13-4-3) At Elmira (9-27-5-0) - Adirondack Thunder
- Milner Rejoins Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Jackals Polish off Home-And-Home Series with Thunder - Elmira Jackals
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Descoteaux, Aces Top Steelheads in OT - Idaho Steelheads
- Aces Sweep Idaho with 3-2 OT Win Saturday - Alaska Aces
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