Keller's Late Goal Spoils Jackals 4-Goal Come Back

March 3, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Elmira, NY - The Muskegon Fury got a late winner from rookie Ryan Keller as they held on to beat the Elmira Jackals 6-5 Friday night at the First Arena.

In the first period, the Jackals were all over the Fury coming out of the gate, but were unable to capitalize. After the game balanced a few minutes in, it quickly shifted entirely in Muskegon's favor. Ryan Crane scored a shorthanded goal while Jackals goaltender Nick Boucher was tangled up outside the crease at 9:43 for a 1-0 score. The Fury added to their lead at 15:27 when Rustyn Dolyny's backhand shot redirected off the skate of Jackals captain Trevor Burgess and past a stranded Boucher. At 17:14 Muskegon took a 3-0 lead as Ryan Keller flipped a rebound over the Jackals goaltender while was lying face first on the ice. The Fury capped off a nightmare period for Elmira with their 4th goal at 19:08 courtesy of Dave Van Drunen.

At the start of the 2nd period Elmira Head Coach Perry Florio pulled Boucher in favor of rookie goaltender Tyson Gajda, who had yet to appear in a game for the Jackals. At the 4:40 mark the Jackals were able to get on the scoreboard as Burgess put a shot passed Fury goaltender Clayton Pool, assisted by Jarrett Konkle. But Muskegon answered the Jackals' goal at the 13:09 mark as Jeff Petruic scored a power play goal to regain the Fury's 4- goal lead 5-1. But the Jackals struck back thanks to some big time shooting from their blue-liners. Defenseman John Donnelly made it 5-2 with a goal from Konkle and Konstantin Kalmikov. Just 26 seconds later Elmira cut the Fury lead to two as Mathieu Wathier became the third Jackals' defenseman to score in the game, tallying his 2nd goal of the season at 15:55, assisted by Jason Sessa and Konkle. With just 18 seconds left in the period Konkle recorded his 4th point of the 2nd period by scoring his 24th goal of the year, assisted by Burgess and Flo Iberer at 19:42, a 5-4 score after two. Elmira out-shot Muskegon 17-10 in the second period.

Elmira did not waste any time in posting their 4th straight goal early in the third period. Kalmikov was able to complete the amazing comeback with his 10th goal for the Jackals this season at 4:22, assisted by Sessa, his 2nd assist of the night. As the third period continued, both teams played tremendous defense and were not about to allow the go-ahead goal. At 17:29 the Fury captured the go-ahead goal as Ryan Keller scored his 2nd goal of the night, breaking the 5-5 tie and striking a dagger in Elmira's stunning comeback. The Jackals pulled Gajda with a minute left, but failed to find a late equalizer. Elmira out-shot Muskegon 13-9 in the third, 30-19 over the final 40 minutes and 40-29 in the game.

Tyson Gadja took the loss for Elmira but played an amazing final two periods in his Jackals debut by making 17 saves on 19 Muskegon shots. Starter Nick Boucher stopped 6-of-10 shots before being pulled after the first period. Clayton Pool escaped with the win tonight, making 35 saves in Elmira's barrage of 40 shots. Muskegon was 1-for-4 on the power play and added a short-handed goal; Elmira was 0-for-5 with the man advantage. The Jackals are back in action Saturday night as they host the Adirondack Frostbite for a 7:05 pm Eastern Division Match Up. Sunday Elmira will battle with the Richmond Riverdogs for a 4:05 pm face off at the First Arena.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 3, 2006


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