Jackals Rally But Fall to Express, 5-3

December 16, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Hoffman Estates, Ill. - The Elmira Jackals dropped their first ever meeting with the Chicago Express on Friday night at the Sears Centre, falling 5-3 in the club's fifth contest of a seven-game road trip.

Chad Painchaud finished off a give-and-go play with Tyler Donati, driving a puck on a feed from Donati in the right circle past Jackals goaltender Brian Stewart to give Chicago the 1-0 advantage at 4:34 of the opening period.

Jack Downing redirected a Craig Rivet drive past Express netminder Allen York with Elmira on the power play, as the Jackals scored on the man advantage for the sixth-straight contest to tie the game, 1-1, at 5:57.

Bobby Robins lifted a puck from the right circle past Stewart, finishing off a rebound from a blocked shot at 7:17 to put Chicago back in front, 2-1.

Aaron Marvin pushed home a rebound at 19:40 off a blocked shot off the stick of Nathan Lutz, giving Chicago a 3-1 lead after the first.

Marvin sent in a loose puck with Stewart caught out of position at 9:07 of the second, extending the Express lead to 4-1 after two.

The Jackals rallied in the third period, making it a one-goal contest. Bourbeau put home a wrist shot past the glove of York from the slot at 9:01. Mike Radja stole a puck at center with the Jackals short-handed minutes later, driving a puck in on York on turned it aside. Dustin Gazley batted in the rebound to decrease the Chicago lead to 4-3 at 15:01.

Robins fired in an empty netter at 19:58 to seal the victory for Chicago.

Stewart stopped 20 of 24 shots before being pulled after Marvin's second goal. He fell to 10-5-0-0 in 2011-2012. Timo Pielmeier came in in relief, making seven saves. York improved to 4-1-1-0, setting aside 29 shots.

The game was Elmira's first against its former head coach, Steve Martinson, who is now at the helm of the Express. Eight former Jackals skated in the game for Chicago.

The Jackals close out the weekend in Kalamazoo on Saturday night, battling the K-Wings at 7:30 p.m. Elmira returns home to host Wheeling on Dec. 26 on 4-for-$44 night. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.



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