Piro, Jackals Tame Vipers 5-1, Snapping Three-Game Skid
April 2, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals got two goals from Josh Piro and broke a 3-game losing streak with a resounding 5-1 win, crushing the short-staffed Roanoke Valley Vipers Sunday afternoon at the First Arena
It only took Elmira 2:45 to find the net in the first period when Chris Chaput netted the first goal of the game, getting assists from Sam Paolini and Anthony Blumer. Roanoke answered back with a goal scored by Simon Rizk off of a huge rebound from a shot by John Osbourne at 6:09. Josh Piro was able to give the Jackals the lead when he roofed a shot past the Viper goaltender on a diving play for his second goal of the season, assisted by Carl Drakensjo. Play was stopped for a moment when referee John Searle caught a stick to the face and fell to the ice. Searle would sit out the rest of the first but return to the ice for the start of the second. Jason Sessa gave the Jackals some insurance by knocking in a slap shot from the blue line at 11:33 for the unassisted goal. The period would end with the Jackals leading 3-1 and out shooting the Vipers 11-19.
No goals were scored in the second period of play, but both Roanoke Valley and Elmira had their chances to score. Roanoke was unable to capitalize on two power plays in the first half of the period, and Elmira was not able to increase their lead on their power play at 13:52 of the period. Roanoke Valley picked up the slack and out shot Elmira 15-8 in the period, but Elmira still carried the edge with more shots in the game 27-26. The teams would head into the second intermission with the Jackals still holding onto the 2-goal lead.
Elmira was able to tally 2 more goals before the end of the game putting them four goals up on the Vipers 5-1. The first of the pair came at 7:09 when Jarrett Konkle roofed a shot passed Viper net minder Glenn Ridler, assisted by Konstantin Kalmikov and Kevin Cooper. The second came off the stick of Josh Piro for his second goal of the night; John Donnelly and Sam Paolini assisted the play at 14:52 of the period. That's the way the game would end with the Jackals on top 5-1 and ahead in shots 39-34. Konkle's goal was his 33rd of the season, putting the rookie forward just three goals behind Glenn Stewart who holds the Jackals single season goals record with 36 in the 2002-03 season.
Elmira goaltender Tyson Gajda had a great performance in goal, making 33 saves on 34 shots to earn his 4th win of the season. Roanoke Valley goalie Glenn Ridler stopped 34-of-39. Elmira finished 0-for-4 on the power play, but shut down Roanoke, who went 0-for-7 with the man-advantage.
Four of the Jackals six remaining games are at the First Arena and three of them are next week. Wednesday night April 5th Elmira hosts the Danbury Trashers at 7:05 pm - the second of three Fan Appreciation Games at the First Arena. Danbury is in town again Friday night at 7:05 pm and Sunday the Jackals battle Richmond at 4:05 pm.
FIRST ARENA REC RINK
The ice is HOT at First Arena - Visit our website for a complete list of Public
Skating times and Arena Programs at www.firstarena.com The First Arena Rec Rink offers public skating, skating lessons, hockey programs,
figure skating, birthday parties, and much more.... www.jackalshockey.com - THE BITE IS BACK! - www.jackalshockey.com
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 2, 2006
