Jackals Weekly

Published on March 27, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Atlantic Division champion Elmira Jackals (43-22-2-2) enter the final week of the ECHL's regular season trailing the Gwinnett Gladiators by one point for first place in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining. The Jackals, currently on a five-game winning streak, host the Reading Royals on Friday night in the final home game of the regular season while playing road games on Wednesday against the Trenton Titans and Saturday versus the Wheeling Nailers.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, March 23

Elmira 3, Toledo 1

Huntington Center

Playing their first game in Toledo since Apr. 1, 2011, the Jackals struck three times by the 10:09 mark of the second period, receiving goals from Jordan Pietrus, Corey Cowick, and Dustin Gazley to jump out to a 3-0 lead on the Walleye. Kyle Page connected for Toledo's only goal at 14:46 of the second. Brian Stewart made 24 saves on 25 shots in the victory. The win was Elmira's 41st of the 2011-2012 campaign, tying the club's franchise record in ECHL play for victories in a season.

Saturday, March 24

Elmira 7, Toledo 1

Huntington Center

Saturday proved to be a landmark night for the Jackals, as the club broke the franchise wins record in ECHL play with its 42nd victory of the season and clinched the Atlantic Division title. Elmira earned its biggest margin of victory of the season, beating Toledo, 7-1, to complete a three-game season sweep of the Walleye. Later that night, the Nailers fell to the Cincinnati Cyclones, giving the Jackals their second division title since joining the league. Six different Jackals scored in the win while Timo Pielmeier earned his 16th victory of the season, making 34 saves.

Sunday, March 25

Elmira 3, Wheeling 2 (SO)

WesBanco Arena

For the ninth time this season, the Jackals overcame a two-goal deficit to collect two points, coming back from a 2-0 hole to beat the Nailers, 3-2, in a shootout. Cowick and Artem Demkov struck in the second and third periods, respectively, to force overtime. Four of five Jackals posted shootout goals as Stewart earned his 13th-career shootout win in 13 appearances. Elmira's 11th shootout victory tied the league record in the ECHL's overtime/shootout era.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, Mar. 27 - Optional skate, 10:00 a.m., First Arena

Wednesday, Mar. 28 - Elmira at Trenton, 7:00 p.m., Sun National Bank Center

Friday, Mar. 30 - Elmira vs. Reading, 7:35 p.m., First Arena

Saturday, Mar. 31 - Elmira at Wheeling, 7:35 p.m., WesBanco Arena

The Jackals, with 27 victories against Atlantic competition this season, play their three divisional opponents to close out the regular season this week. Before Friday's game, the club's annual awards will be announced at First Arena and fans will receive the season ticket holder photo with the Jackals which was taken after the Mar. 16 game. To reserve your seats to Elmira's last home game prior to the playoffs call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.

CONFERENCE'S TOP SPOT IN SIGHT

Trailing Gwinnett by only one point for first place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Jackals may be just days away from their first regular-season conference championship since becoming a member of the ECHL in 2007-2008. The Gladiators head to Florida for a three-game road series with the Everblades to close out the campaign.

Elmira is four points behind the Alaska Aces for the ECHL's best record. The Aces, who have four games remaining, won the ECHL's Brabham Cup as the team with the most points in 2010-2011 on their way to the Kelly Cup championship.

GAZLEY CONTROLS SCORING LEAD ENTERING FINAL WEEK

Dustin Gazley has a four-point lead on Las Vegas' Adam Miller for the league's scoring title. Gazley, who has 81 points (23g-58a), is on a 10-game assist streak (3g-13a), the longest by any ECHL skater this season, and is on an 18-game road point streak dating back to Jan. 21 (7g-22a), also a league best in 2011-2012. The rookie has collected a goal or an assist in 26 of the last 27 games and and 33 of the last 35 contests. Gazley holds an 18-point advantage on Cincinnati's Mathew Sisca for the scoring lead among first-year skaters.

If Gazley wins the ECHL's scoring title, the Jackals would become the first team in ECHL history with the leading scorer in three-straight seasons. Tyler Donati posted an ECHL-best 114 points (38g-76a) in 2009-2010 while Justin Donati topped the league with 94 points (27g-67a) in 2010-2011.

MORE RECORDS IN SIGHT

With three games remaining in the campaign, the Jackals enter the final week of the regular season with a chance to set more club records. Elmira's 43 wins, a record in the club's ECHL history, are two shy of its overall mark of 45, set in the 74-game UHL season of 2001-2002. The Jackals' 19 road wins are one behind their record in ECHL play of 20, set in 2007-2008. Elmira has 24 victories at home, the most by the club since joining the league. The Jackals have also set a club high in ECHL competition with 90 standings points this season.

JACKALS TIE LEAGUE SHOOTOUT MARK

Elmira became the third team in the ECHL's overtime/shootout era (1988-1995, 2000-present) to collect 11 shootout victories in a season on Sunday, joining the 2002-2003 Lexington Men O' War and the 2004-2005 Greenville Grrrowl to tie the record in this era. The 1995-1996 Toledo Storm hold the league record with 17 shootout wins during the five-season era from 1995-2000 when the ECHL went directly to a shootout following regulation.

STEWART DOES IT AGAIN AS JACKALS GOALTENDERS APPROACH RECORDS

Brian Stewart is now 13-0 in his shootout career (10-0 - ECHL, 3-0 - AHL) and is 9-0 with the Jackals in shootouts in 2011-2012 after Sunday's win. The Burnaby, British Columbia native has allowed only six goals on 37 opponent attempts in the shootout this season.

Stewart and Timo Pielmeier are on the verge of posting the two best seasons by goaltenders in Jackals' ECHL history in terms of save percentage and goals-against average. Stewart's .918 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average are the best marks by an Elmira goaltender since the club joined the league. His 25 wins are two behind Joel Martin's record 27 wins in 2007-2008. Pielmeier has posted a .908 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average, which would be second best only to Stewart if the season ended today. Records are based upon goaltenders who have played a third of the team's games (1440 minutes).

COMEBACKS HIGHLIGHT SEASON

Sunday's win was Elmira's 22nd comeback victory of the season and the club's league-best 11th when trailing after two periods. The Jackals have overcome two-goal deficits to win games nine times this season and have at least tied a game when coming from two goals down on 13 occasions in 2011-2012.

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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.

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