Jackals Weekly

Published on February 9, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals (26-16-1-2) enter the 18th week of the 2011-2012 ECHL regular season with three-critical road Atlantic Division contests on the docket. Elmira was 0-2-0-1 last week and will meet Reading twice and Trenton once this weekend.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, February 1

Wheeling 4, Elmira 1

First Arena

Despite Rob Bellamy's first goal since Dec. 10 in the opening period, the Jackals could not hold off the Wheeling Nailers at First Arena. Wheeling's Adam Ross shot two pucks that were tipped in by Nailers skaters to give the club a 2-1 lead after the first. Ben Farrer opened Wheeling's lead to two goals with a tally in the second period, while Peter Lenes finished things off with an empty netter in the third for the Nailers' 4-1 win. The loss was Elmira's first in regulation against an Atlantic opponent since Nov. 25, ending a 14-game point-earning streak versus divisional competition.

Friday, February 3

Wheeling 4, Elmira 3 (SO)

WesBanco Arena

The Nailers scored twice in the final minute of the second period to take a two-goal lead into the final intermission. Elmira battled back, with Corey Cowick striking on the power play with 6:12 left and Matt Campanale wristing a puck in with just two seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. The game went through a scoreless sudden-death session. In a seven-round shootout, Wheeling received goals from Zack Torquato and Andrew Hotham, while Elmira's Jordan Pietrus converted on his first attempt of the season. He was the only Jackal to score, however, as the Jackals dropped the game, 4-3.

Saturday, February 4

Chicago 2, Elmira 1

First Arena

Former Jackal Scott Wietecha scored both of Chicago's goals in the second period. Dustin Gazley notched Elmira's second penalty-shot goal of the season and first since October, as the Jackals fell to the Express, 2-1. With the win, Chicago clinched a season sweep of Elmira of two games to none. The contest marked the return of former Jackals head coach Steve Martinson, now with the Express, to First Arena.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday, Feb. 10 - Elmira at Reading, Sovereign Center, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11 - Elmira at Reading, Sovereign Center, 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 12 - Elmira at Trenton, Sun National Bank Center, 4:00 p.m.

Elmira battles Reading this Friday and Saturday for the first time since the Royals snapped the Jackals' nine-game winning streak with a 3-2 overtime victory on Jan. 13. The Jackals meet the Titans for the 10th time in 2011-2012 on Sunday, with Elmira bringing a five-game winning streak against Trenton into the contest. With the Jackals on the road, catch all the action live on 99.5 WOKN FM, 102.5 FM in Corning, and 98.3 WVIN FM in Bath, or online through JackalsHockey.com.

DIVISION RACE TIGHTENS

The Jackals and the Nailers are knotted up at the top of the division at 55 points with 27 games remaining in the season. After defeating the Nailers on Jan. 21, Elmira held an eight-point lead over Wheeling for the Atlantic's leading position. Since that point, the Nailers have rallied, going 5-2-0-0, while the Jackals been winless, going 0-4-0-2. Elmira and Wheeling are ahead of Reading by nine points and Trenton by 19 points.

ONE-GOAL SUCCESS REVERSES COURSE

Elmira took a 15-3-0-0 record in one-goal contests into its game on Jan. 13 in Reading, as the Jackals had won 14-straight games decided by one goal entering the action that night. Elmira would fall in overtime to Reading, and including that game, the Jackals are 1-3-1-2 in their last seven one-goal decisions for an overall record of 16-6-1-2 in that situation.

POWER PLAY EXCELLS DESPITE LIMITED CHANCES

The Jackals bring the fourth-best power play in the ECHL into this weekend's action despite having the fewest chances of any team in the league. Elmira is converting at a 21.0% clip, scoring 37 times on 176 chances. The Jackals have had 50 fewer opportunities on the man advantage than their opponents this year, having been short handed 226 times. Elmira has received approximately one less power play than its opponents per game.

GAZLEY KEEPS HOLD OF ROOKIE LEAD

Dustin Gazley continues to lead all first-year skaters in the ECHL in scoring, registering 45 points while also posting an ECHL-rookie-best 32 assists. The Novi, Mich. native is the only Jackal to have played in every contest this season, checking in at exactly a point-per-game at this point of the 2011-2012 campaign.

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