Jackals Stun Chiefs With Overtime Victory

Published on March 7, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals shocked the Johnstown Chiefs at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pa. on Sunday afternoon by overcoming four deficits to earn a 5-4 overtime victory, their second of the weekend against the Chiefs. Justin Donati sent the game to overtime with 49 seconds left in the third period and Brennan Turner scored the first game-winning goal of his career in the first minute of the extra session as Elmira improved to 8-0 against Johnstown this season, including 5-0 in overtime.

The Jackals' first deficit came when a Jeff Martens pass took a wild hop off the boards and into the slot, and Sean Berkstresser backhanded the puck into the empty net with Jackals goaltender Andy Chiodo anticipating a normal carom, and the Chiefs led 1-0 at 7:26 of the first period.

Just 25 seconds later, Chris Korchinski scored his third short-handed goal of the season when he took a puck from center ice and beat goaltender John Murray stick side to tie the game.

At 9:31 of the first period with the Chiefs on the power play, Bryan Marshall's wrister from the left circle beat Chiodo short side to make it 2-1 Johnstown.

In the second period, Elmira tied the game when Bear Trapp, stationed on the doorstep, tapped in a feed from Yannick Tifu at 5:26 to even the score 2-2.

With the Chiefs on their third power play of the game at 11:38, Brian Kaufman shot a puck from the right circle to the back of the net to give the Chiefs their third lead of the game at 3-2.

Once again, though, the Jackals fought back, with a goal from Olivier Proulx off a rebound from a shot by Tyler Donati at 17:58, as Elmira connected on the man advantage to make it 3-3.

In the third period, the Jackals had an early power play, but Connor Shields stole the puck and fed Troy Schwab at center ice, who skated in all alone for a short-handed goal as the Chiefs reclaimed the lead, 4-3, at the 5:00 mark.

The clock wound down to the final minute of the period, but Chris Korchinski's wrap-around bid kicked out to Justin Donati in the low slot, and he sent the puck into the net at 19:11, evening the score at 4-4 and sending the game to overtime.

Early in overtime, Tyler Donati fed Justin Donati on the right wing side of the neutral zone to start a rush into the offensive zone. Justin Donati then dropped the puck pack to Turner, whose initial shot was turned aside by Murray, but the Foam Lake, Saskatchewan native followed up the rebound and beat Murray stick side from the left circle to win the game for the Jackals at 46 seconds of overtime.

The victory was the second 5-4 overtime win for the Jackals over the Chiefs this weekend, as Elmira defeated Johnstown in extra time by that same score on Friday night at First Arena. It was also the second time this season in which the Jackals tied a game in Johnstown in the final minute and won in overtime, as Elmira recorded its fourth victory of 2009-2010 on Oct. 24 in that same situation.

The Jackals are now 5-0 in games that have gone to overtime against the Chiefs, with three wins in overtime and two in shootouts.

Chiodo made 22 saves on 26 shots to improve to 6-2-0-0 this season, while Murray fell to 5-20-4-0 this season, stopping 39 of 44 shots.

Elmira's record improved to 33-20-3-2 this season, while Johnstown's record dropped to 15-35-7-4.

The Jackals host the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night at First Arena, with the game beginning at 7:35 p.m. For tickets, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto Ticketmaster.com.

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