Jackals Weekly
Published on January 10, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals (23-11-0-0) carry a nine-game winning streak into the 14th week of the 2011-2012ECHL regular season after sweeping three games last week at First Arena to take a three-point lead over the Gwinnett Gladiators for first place in the Eastern Conference.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, January 6
Elmira 3, South Carolina 2
First Arena
The Jackals overcame a 1-0 deficit entering the third period by scoring three goals, including the game winner from Louie Caporusso with just 2:19 remaining in regulation, to defeat the Stingrays, 3-2. Timo Pielmeier made 33 saves on 35 shots for his sixth victory of the season.
Saturday, January 7
Elmira 4, Cincinnati 1
First Arena
Dustin Gazley contributed on all four Jackals goals, posting a career-high three assists and four points, as the Jackals beat the Cyclones, 4-1. Pielmeier completed his stellar week with a 23-save outing to go 2-0 over his two games on Friday and Saturday with a .949 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average. The victory was Elmira's first since Oct. 21 by more than two goals.
Sunday, January 8
Elmira 4, Cincinnati 3 (SO)
First Arena
The Jackals' 3-1 third-period lead evaporated as the Cyclones' Jonathan Hazen and Michael Pelech both scored to send the game to overtime. Elmira put together a crucial penalty kill in the sudden-death frame to push the contest into a shootout. Cincinnati scored on three of its first four bids in the shootout, but Elmira rallied with goals on its final four chances, with Caporusso clinching the game in the fifth and final round. Brian Stewart improved to 14-5-0-0 with a 34-save effort. After the game, Jackals players skated with their fans on the First Arena ice. Click here to view a photo of the event.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Practice at First Arena, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 12 - Practice at First Arena, 10:00 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 13 - Elmira at Reading, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 14 - Elmira vs. South Carolina, 7:35 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 15 - Elmira vs. Trenton, 4:05 p.m.
To reserve your seats to Saturday and Sunday's games at First Arena call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.
JACKALS' WINNING STREAK A CLUB BEST
The Jackals' winning streak is their longest within one ECHL season, as Elmira has reeled off nine-straight victories since its last loss on Dec. 16 in Chicago.
With a win in Reading on Friday, the Jackals would match their longest winning streak since joining the ECHL of 10 games, which the club accomplished from the end of the 2008-2009 season (three games) through the start of the 2009-2010 campaign (seven games).
The club record for the longest winning streak when factoring in its seven seasons in the UHL is 12 games, set in the 2001-2002 campaign in the Jackals' second season of play.
THE VIEW FROM THE TOP
Since overtaking Gwinnett for first place in the Eastern Conference on Dec. 31, the Jackals have not looked back and now have the second-best record in the league behind the Alaska Aces.
The Jackals' 23 victories are the second most in the league behind Alaska (26). Elmira is the only team in the Eastern Conference with at least 20 victories as of this point in 2011-2012. The Jackals are nine victories away from equaling their win total from the 2010-2011 campaign (32).
COMEBACK KINGS
With Elmira's comeback win against South Carolina on Friday, the Jackals now have seven victories this season when trailing after two periods (7-7-0-0) to lead the ECHL in that department.
Since the statistic started being tracked in 1994-1995, the Toledo Storm hold the league record for most victories when trailing after two periods within one season according to the ECHL. The Storm notched 13 come-from-behind wins when facing a deficit entering the third period in the 1995-1996 season.
Florida led the ECHL with seven victories when trailing after two periods in the 2010-2011 campaign.
SHOOTOUT STARS
Elmira is now 8-0 in shootouts this season and has a nine-game shootout winning streak dating back to Mar. 16 of last season.
Mike Radja leads the league with seven shootout goals on eight opportunities, while Jack Downing is second in the ECHL with five tallies on seven chances.
Brian Stewart improved to 11-0 lifetime in shootouts (8-0 - ECHL, 3-0 - AHL) in Sunday's victory.
Elmira's eight shootout wins are more than any team in the ECHL has recorded within one season during three of the last five years. Four of the nine games during the current winning streak have gone to a shootout.
ONE-GOAL WONDERS
Dating back to Nov. 19, the Jackals have won 14-straight games decided by one goal to lead the league in one-goal contests with a 15-3-0-0 record. Eight of the nine games during this winning streak have been decided by one goal. The Jackals last lost a one-goal game against Reading on Nov. 11, falling to the Royals, 5-4.
CAPORUSSO COMES UP CLUTCH
Although another Jackals rookie won the ECHL's Player of the Week Award in Dustin Gazley, first-year pro Louie Caporusso was vital in Elmira's three wins this past weekend. The Woodbridge, Ontario native contributed game-winning goals on Friday and Saturday to jump into the team lead in that category with three on the season, and then posted the shootout-winning tally on Sunday.
In 11 games since returning from the injured reserve on Dec. 10, Caporusso has 14 points (9g-5a). Caporusso kicked off Elmira's current winning streak with his first professional hat trick and game-winning goal in Kalamazoo on Dec. 17
SUNDAY BOX OFFICE HOURS CHANGED
The First Arena Box Office will open up at 11 a.m. for Elmira's remaining three Sunday home contests this season, allowing fans an extra hour to purchase their tickets to see Jackals hockey.
The Box Office hours are as follows:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5 :00 p.m.
Saturday (hockey season, non-home games): 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday (home games): 10:00 a.m. - game time
Sunday (home games only): 11 a.m. - game time
ECHL Stories from January 10, 2012
- Reign Welcome Back Montgomery - Ontario Reign
- Condors Jersey Cooler and Cap Giveaways this Weekend - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - January 10 - ECHL
- K-Wings on Golden Pond - Kalamazoo Wings
- Forward Beca Returns from Charlotte of the AHL - Florida Everblades
- Brendan Connolly Loaned to AHL Texas - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Titans Send Lenes, Southorn to Wheeling - Trenton Titans
- Nailers Acquire Two from Trenton - Wheeling Nailers
- Reign Offer 4 for $44 Game-And-Meal Deal - Ontario Reign
- Olivier Roy Named ECHL Goaltender of the Week - Stockton Thunder
- Stockton's Roy Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Steven Delisle Assigned to the Express - Chicago Express
- Blue and Orange Jerseys Net Over $17,000 - Idaho Steelheads
- Costello Returns from AHL; Forward Still Leads ECHL in Points - Colorado Eagles
- Adam Estoclet Returns from Grand Rapids - Toledo Walleye
- Jackals Weekly - Elmira Jackals
- Forward Mike Hamilton Joins Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Stingrays Weekly: Stingrays Continue Road Trip in Kalamazoo, Trenton and Elmira - South Carolina Stingrays
- Brian Day Assigned to Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Gazley Garners Player of the Week Honor - Elmira Jackals
- Elmira's Gazley Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
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.
