North Division Finals Preview

Published on April 23, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Elmira, NY- The Elmira Jackals moved on to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs to meet the Cincinnati Cyclones after a seven game, roller coaster ride series with the Trenton Devils. The Jackals open the Division Finals at US Bank this Friday, April 24th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 25th at 7:30 p.m.

Elmira Jackals #3 vs. Cincinnati Cyclones #1

The Jackals and Cyclones matched up seven times in the regular season with Elmira holding a 4-2-0-1 advantage. The last series between the North Division rivals was on February 27th and 28th at US Bank Arena. The Jackals won the first night 4-1 and lost the second night 4-2.

Round One Recap:

Elmira vs. Trenton

The Jackals needed more then the allotted time to wrap up the division semifinals against Trenton with three out of the seven games going to overtime. Game one was the longest game in the history of the ECHL going 126:10 through four overtimes until Josh Aspenlind netted the game winner. The Devils took game number two on home ice with a 6-5 decision. The series came to Elmira where the Jackals pounded the Devils with five goals and a Michael Teslak 32 save shutout giving the Jackals the 2-1 series advantage. The following night the Pierre-Luc Faubert netted an empty net to secure the 3-1 lead and 3-1 series advantage. Game five would need an extra frame to decide the winner. The Jackals were held scoreless on a four minute power play in the fourth period only to have the Devils get a power play goal of the own to send the series back to Trenton. Game number six was a wild one. The Devils scored with 1:29 to play in the third period to force double overtime where they would net the game winner and force a game seven. In Game Seven the Jackals battled back from a 2-1 margin to win 5-3 with another stellar night from Michael Teslak who was again named the star of the game.

Cincinnati vs. Wheeling

The Defending Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones used double overtime in game seven to stamp their ticket to the North Division Finals. The series didn't feature a home ice win until the Cyclones won at US Bank Arena in the final game. The fourth seeded Nailers opened the series with back to back wins in Cincinnati. The Cyclones then visited Wheeling where they won game three 7-3, game four 4-3 and game five 2-1. The series returned to Cincinnati and the Nailers unleashed a 6-0 win to force game seven. The seventh game was dominated by the Cyclones with a 51-28 shot advantage including a 12-0 shot advantage in the second overtime. Matt Syroczynski beat Curtis Darling on a rebound attempt at 3:48 for the series win.

Top Performers:

The Jackals are led by Chris Korchinski's 10 points in the post season. Korchinski ranks second in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with four goals and six assists. Paul McIlveen currently ranks fifth in scoring in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with one goal and nine assists for 10 points. Pierre-Luc Faubert ranks seventh on the ECHL scoring chart with six goals and three assists for nine points. Chaz Johnson also cracks the top twenty with two goals and six assists for eight points.

The Cyclones don't have a player in the top twenty for scoring in the post season but Matt Syroczynski's four power play goals is an ECHL best. He also leads the Cyclones with six points. Barrett Ehgoetz places second for the Cyclones with one goal and four assists while Dustin Sproat has buried three goals and added one assist for four points.

Goaltending: The Jackals have had stellar net minding from Michael Teslak who is 4-0-2 in the post season. Teslak has logged the most minutes in the playoffs and has turned in the fourth best goals against average at 1.83 while holding a 0.943 save percentage. The Cyclones have used Loic Lacasse in six contests turning in a 2.64 goals against average and a 0.902 save percentage.

Specialty Teams: The Jackals have had a superb power play and penalty kill in the post season. Elmira is seven for 40 on the power play at 20%, fifth in the ECHL, while the penalty kill comes in at 88.6% also ranking fifth. The Cyclones power play went seven for 37 (10.8% 13th overall) in round number one while there penalty kill ranked ninth at 82.6 %.

Listen Live: Don't miss a second of the Jackals post season run join Nick Hulberg the Voice of the Jackals on WOKN 99.5 Elmira, 102.5 Corning, WVIN 98.3 Bath and at www.jackalshockey.com for all of the play by play action. The Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face Off starts 20 minutes before every game.

HOME ICE: The series comes to Elmira on Wednesday, April 29th (7:05 p.m.) Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd (7:35 p.m. both nights). **If necessary games six and seven will be in Cincinnati on Tuesday, May 5th and Wednesday, May 6th.

SHRINERS CIRCUS: All of the excitement of the Shriners Circus comes to First Arena on Tuesday May 5th at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $20, $15 $13 for both shows!

TICKETS: Tickets for the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs are on sale NOW at the First Arena Box Office. GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY! Tickets for all events at First Arena can be purchased at the First Arena Box Office, by calling (607) 734-PUCK or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

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