Jackals Weekly
March 12, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals (38-21-2-2) are closing in on a spot in the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs after posting victories over the Trenton Titans and the Toledo Walleye this past weekend. The Jackals, currently on a four-game winning streak, remain home this week as they welcome the Florida Everblades to town on Friday and Saturday and the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, March 9
Elmira 7, Trenton 3
Sun National Bank Center
Louie Caporusso returned from an injury with two goals in his first game since Jan. 26, as the Jackals exploded for four second-period tallies on their way to a 7-3 victory over the Titans. Mike Radja also connected twice in the contest while Jordan Pietrus, Jean Bourbeau, and Craig Rivet scored a goal each for Elmira. The four-goal victory equaled the Jackals' biggest win margin of the season and was the largest since Elmira defeated Trenton by that same score on Oct. 14 in the season's opening game. Timo Pielmeier set aside 25 shots for his 14th win of the campaign.
Saturday, March 10
Elmira 5, Toledo 1
First Arena
For the second-straight night, five different Jackals scored on the way to another four-goal win, this time a 5-1 decision over the Toledo Walleye. Kyle Reeds' goal in the first period kicked off the scoring for Elmira while Rob Bellamy's strike later in the frame gave the Jackals the lead for good. With the victory, Elmira set a new franchise record in ECHL competition with its 22nd home win of the season. The meeting was the first of three between the Jackals and the Walleye in 2011-2012.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Wednesday, Mar. 14 - Practice, 10:00 a.m., First Arena
Thursday, Mar. 15 - Practice 10:00 a.m., First Arena
Friday, Mar. 16 - Elmira vs. Florida, 7:35 p.m., First Arena
Saturday, Mar. 17 - Elmira vs. Florida, 7:35 p.m., First Arena
Sunday, Mar. 18 - Elmira vs. Wheeling, 4:05 p.m., First Arena
The Jackals play three of their final four home games this weekend, welcoming the Everblades to town for the first time since Oct. 21 and then capping the weekend with a critical Atlantic Division battle with the Nailers on Sunday. After Sunday's contest, fans are invited to stick around and skate with the Jackals on the First Arena ice. To reserve your seats to this weekend's games call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.
MAGIC NUMBERS UPDATE
The Chicago Express and the Reading Royals are the only two teams outside of the playoffs right now that can catch the Jackals in the standings and potentially prevent Elmira from qualifying for the postseason. The Jackals' magic numbers to prevent those teams from reaching Elmira in the standings and thus clinch a playoff spot are seven points for the Express and six for the Royals. Any combination of those point totals earned by Elmira and lost by those two clubs will put the Jackals in the playoffs for the fifth-straight season.
The Jackals currently lead the Nailers by four points for first place in the division. Elmira's magic number to clinch the Atlantic title is currently 17 points.
JACKALS SET ONE WIN RECORD, APPROACH ANOTHER
The Jackals set a club record in an ECHL season for home victories with their 22nd win at First Arena on Saturday, originally accomplished in 2007-2008. Over the remaining nine games in the regular season, Elmira needs three wins to tie and four to break its record of 41 overall victories, also set in 2007-2008.
GAZLEY CONTINUES INCREDIBLE ROOKIE CAMPAIGN
Dustin Gazley march toward the ECHL's scoring lead resumed this past week, as the rookie from Novi, Mich. collected two assists in each contest. Gazley is third in the league with 72 points and 51 assists, leading all ECHL rookies in those categories, and has 21 goals on the season as well. The 23-year-old is four points shy of Chad Costello's league-best 76 points and is five assists behind Justin Bowers' ECHL-leading 56 assists.
KURTZ RECALLED TO CRUNCH
John Kurtz was recalled to Elmira's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, on Sunday. Kurtz, a second-year pro, has eight points (3g-5a) in 19 games with the Jackals this season and has a goal in seven contests with the Crunch in 2011-2012.
SEASON TICKET HOLDER PHOTO THIS WEEKEND
Season ticket holders are invited to stay after this Friday's game against the Everblades to participate in an exclusive season ticket holder group photo with the Jackals players and head coach Pat Bingham. The photo will be available for fans at Elmira's final home game of the regular season on Friday, Mar. 30 versus the Reading Royals. The Jackals would like to thank their season ticket holders for their support in the 2011-2012 campaign!
ECHL Stories from March 12, 2012
- ECHL Expansion Update, Mindcheck.ca Officials on Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Reign Participate in Read Across America - Ontario Reign
- Thunder Needs One Point to Clinch - Stockton Thunder
- Express Weekly: Four Games at Home on this Week's Schedule - Chicago Express
- ECHL Transactions - March 12 - ECHL
- K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Wings
- Greenville Road Warriors Weekly - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- Condors in the Community: Ladies Night Tonight, Condors Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon on Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
- Grizzlies Take Another Winning Streak to California - Utah Grizzlies
- Titans Release Pallis - Trenton Titans
- Key head-to-head match ups on tap this week - ECHL
- Brutlag Returned from AHL Norfolk - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gladiators Weekly Update - Atlanta Gladiators
- Condors Weekly: Playoff Push Returns to Home Ice - Bakersfield Condors
- Jackals Weekly - Elmira Jackals
- Radio Recon Pulls out the Hard Hat - Reading Royals
- Colorado Eagles Weekly Update - Colorado Eagles
- Second Set of Silver Skater/Golden Goalie Jerseys Available for Bid - ECHL
- ECHL Leading Scorer & MVP Candidate Chad Costello Placed on Season-Ending IR - Colorado Eagles
- Cyclones Weekly - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Toledo Walleye Weekly - Toledo Walleye
- Toews Placed on Injured Reserve - Toledo Walleye
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.
