Jackals Weekly
Published on March 19, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals (40-22-2-2) are heading to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the fifth-straight season since joining the ECHL after clinching a spot in the postseason on Sunday. The Jackals won two of their three games this past week and now embark on a four-game road trip with six contests remaining in the 2011-2012 season. Elmira, currently in second place in the Eastern Conference, leads the Wheeling Nailers by six points for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Friday, March 16
Florida 3, Elmira 2
First Arena
Jean Bourbeau and Mike Radja each extended their goal streaks to three games, as Elmira took a 2-1 lead over Florida past the midway point of the third period. Cedric McNicoll changed the direction of the game, however, scoring two goals in a 2:02 span in the final frame to lift the Everblades past the Jackals, 3-2. The loss ended Elmira's four-game winning streak.
Saturday, March 17
Elmira 3, Florida 2
First Arena
The Jackals and the Everblades skated through a scoreless 40 minutes before Radja backhanded a puck in from the slot 1:30 into the third period to put Elmira on the board. Dustin Gazley followed suit moments later, driving a feed from Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel into the net at 2:46 to extend the lead to 2-0. McNicoll scored his third goal of the weekend to bring Florida to within one at 9:38, but Corey Tamblyn netted his first professional goal at 12:52 to give the Jackals an insurance marker at the time and the eventual game winner. David Fischer scored late for the Everblades, but the Jackals prevailed with the 3-2 victory. Timo Pielmeier made 25 stops for his 15th win of the season.
Sunday, March 18
Elmira 3, Wheeling 2 (SO)
First Arena
Radja posted both of Elmira's goals, scoring at 5:20 of the opening period and 6:56 of the third. Chase Watson and Zack Torquato both scored in the final frame for Wheeling, as the Nailers and the Jackals then skated through a scoreless overtime and into a shootout. Brian Stewart extended his perfect lifetime shootout record to 12-0, denying the Nailers on all five bids. Artem Demkov converted in the fifth round, giving Elmira a 3-2 victory over Wheeling and extending its division lead over the Nailers to six points. A loss by Chicago in overtime to Trenton later that day sealed the Jackals' playoff berth.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, Mar. 20 - Optional skate, 10:30 a.m., First Arena
Wednesday, Mar. 21 - Practice, 10:30 a.m., First Arena
Thursday, Mar. 22 - Practice, 10:00 a.m., First Arena
Friday, Mar. 23 - Elmira at Toledo, 7:00 p.m., Huntington Center
Saturday, Mar. 24 - Elmira at Toledo, 7:00 p.m., Huntington Center
Sunday, Mar. 25 - Elmira at Wheeling, 4:05 p.m., WesBanco Arena
The Jackals play all three games this week on the road, meeting the Toledo Walleye on Friday and Saturday before battling the Nailers again on Sunday. Elmira returns to First Arena to host the Reading Royals in the Jackals' regular season home finale on Friday, Mar. 30 at 7:35 p.m. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.
GAZLEY GRABS ECHL SCORING LEAD
After a five-point weekend (1g-4a), Dustin Gazley is now alone in first place in the ECHL for the first time this season with 77 points (22g-55a). The rookie from Novi, Mich. is on a seven-game point streak (2g-10a) and has posted a goal or an assist in 28 of the last 30 contests. He has a one-point lead on Greenville's Justin Bowers for the league lead. Chad Costello of Colorado is tied with Bowers but is out for the season with an injury. Gazley is 20 points in front of Cincinnati's Mathew Sisca for the league's rookie-scoring lead.
STEWART CONTINUES INCREDIBLE SHOOTOUT RUN AS JACKALS APPROACH RECORD
Brian Stewart's perfect shootout record was put to the test on Sunday, as the second-year pro participated in his first shootout since Jan. 8. Stewart and the Jackals prevailed with the win, as the Burnaby, British Columbia native is now 12-0 in his professional career in shootouts (9-0 - ECHL, 3-0 - AHL). Stewart has allowed only four goals on 33 opponent bids in the shootout in 2011-2012 and has been perfect in six of eight shootouts this year.
Elmira's 10 shootout wins are the most in the league this season and are the second-most by any ECHL team in the league's overtime/shootout era (1998-1995, 2000-present). The Greenville Grrrowl (2004-2005) and the Lexington Men O' War (2002-2003) hold the record in the current era with 11 shootout wins. The ECHL went directly to a shootout from 1995 to 2000, and the Toledo Storm set the shootout-only era record with 17 wins in 1995-1996.
The shootout victories have helped Elmira compile a league-best 23 one-goal wins in 2011-2012.
RADJA GOES ON GOAL-SCORING RAMPAGE
Since returning to the Jackals from the AHL's Houston Aeros, Mike Radja has gone on a goal-scoring tear, striking 10 times in seven contests. His five-game goal streak is tied for the longest by a Jackal this season. Radja leads Elmira with a career-high 27 tallies in 2011-2012.
ELMIRA NEARS FRANCHISE WIN MARK
The Jackals are just one victory shy of equaling their franchise record in ECHL play for wins in a season of 41, set in their inaugural season in the league of 2007-2008. Elmira's 24 victories on home ice this season are the most for the club in ECHL competition.
RIVET DISCUSSES HIS SEASON AS A JACKAL
Craig Rivet spoke with Jackals broadcaster Eric Levine about his season with the Jackals, travel in the ECHL, the potential of the team, and more in an interview that aired this past weekend in two parts during Elmira's two games against Florida.
JACKALS RELEASE LANE
The Jackals announced on Monday that they have placed forward Jordan Lane on waivers. Lane, a second-year pro from Whitehorse, Yukon, recorded a goal and an assist to go along with 53 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Jackals in 2011-2012.
PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION
Individual game tickets for the playoffs will go on sale upon release of Elmira's opening-round schedule.
Fans looking to reserve their seats now to see the Jackals in the playoffs may do so by purchasing a playoff six pack, which guarantees fans the same seat for the first six home games in the postseason. Season ticket holders must reserve their six pack by Friday, Mar. 30 to guarantee their regular season seats for the playoffs.
This no-risk offer guarantees either a refund for any playoff games not played or a credit toward 2012-2013 season tickets. The six pack also offers a $2 discount per seat during the postseason.
To reserve your playoff six pack call (607) 734-PUCK (7825) or visit the First Arena Box Office. Fans can also download a printable form and either bring it to the First Arena Box Office or fax it to (607) 733-2237.
ECHL Stories from March 19, 2012
- Jackals Weekly - Elmira Jackals
- Colorado Eagles Weekly Update - Colorado Eagles
- Top spots in both conferences on the line this weekend - ECHL
- Condors Weekly: Red-hot Condors roll through the weekend - Bakersfield Condors
- Greenville Road Warriors Weekly - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Toledo Walleye Weekly - Toledo Walleye
- Radio Redon Ready to Keep this Thing Going - Reading Royals
- Titans Alumni Game Brings Back Stars of the Past - Trenton Titans
- Carrozzi Back Between Pipes for Ontario - Ontario Reign
- Goaltender Billy Sauer Returns to Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Express Weekly: Five-Point Week Springs Express into Tie for 8th - Chicago Express
- Condors in the Community: Condors to Help with Blood Drive On - Bakersfield Condors
- Miller, Blackwater Honored as Silver Skaters - Las Vegas Wranglers
- ECHL Transactions - March 19 - ECHL
- Stingrays Weekly: Stingrays Prepare for Big Three-Game Series Vs. Everblades - South Carolina Stingrays
- Final Teams to Participate in Silver Skater/Golden Goalie this Weekend - ECHL
- Brutlag Returns from AHL Norfolk - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gladiators Weekly Update - Atlanta Gladiators
- Cyclones Weekly - Cincinnati Cyclones
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.
