Wray & Littlejohn Lead The Way To Jackals' 20th Win of the Season

Published on January 27, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - The Elmira Jackals got two goals from both Scott Wray and Frank Littlejohn as they earned their 20th win of the season by way of a 5-3 win over the Kalamazoo Wings Saturday night at Wings Stadium.

Compared to the past two weeks, the Elmira Jackals roared to life in the first period. Scott Wray tipped a shot from Chris Mann by goaltender Tom Askey for a 1-0 lead at just 5:07. The goal was Wray's 20th goal of the season, the second Elmira player to reach the 20 goal mark, and the assists went to Chris Mann and Brent Cullaton. Two minutes later it was 2-0 when during Elmira's 2nd penalty kill of the game, R.C. Lyke sent Frank Littlejohn streaking down the right wing and Littlejohn unleashed a missile that sped by the blocker of Askey and into the net at 7:22. Lyke earned the assist on Littlejohn's 21st goal of the season, his team and UHL leading 7th short-handed goal.

Not to be outdone by his teammate, Scott Wray would keep pace in the Jackals goal-scoring race when he collected his 21st goal of the year, and second of the first period at 17:31 for a 3-0 Elmira lead. Wray skated around defenseman Joe Markusen, but had his shot and backhand rebound both denied by Askey. However, Markusen's clearing attempt hit fellow K-Wings defenseman Jordan Hart and went into the net; being the last Jackals' player to touch the puck, Wray was given credit for the unassisted goal. The K-Wings added one blemish to an otherwise flawless period for the Jackals when Nick Bootland scored a power play goal at 19:24, assisted by Jeff Brown for a 3-1 Jackals lead going into the break.

Kalamazoo stormed back with a lot of offensive pressure in the second period, but goaltender Dave Lemanowicz was in spectacular form as he preserved the Elmira lead. Midway through the period a Jason Lawmaster shot hit an Elmira defenseman forcing Lemanowicz to improvise a save, but the momentum of Lawmaster sent Lemanowicz and the loose puck into the net at 10:27, assisted by Joe Markusen and Jesse Rycroft. But Elmira regained their 2-goal lead at 17:07 when the Jackals All-Star trio combined for their 4th goal of the game. Defenseman Dale Lupul bombed a slap shot from the point up over the catching glove of Askey, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Scott Wray. The K-Wings out-shot the Jackals 17-9 in the second period, but Elmira carried a 4-2 lead into the 2nd intermission.

In the third period, Frank Littlejohn scored his 2nd goal of the night and 22nd of the year as he put the game out of reach at 3:17, assisted by Erik Anderson and Chris Mann. Kalamazoo pulled one back at 18:55 when Glenn Detulleo tipped in a Jeff Brown shot with the K-Wings net empty and the extra attacker on the ice. But it was not enough as the Jackals brought home a 5-3 win at Wings Stadium.

Dave Lemanowicz earned his 6th win of the season as he made an astounding 45 saves on 48 shots on goal and Elmira improved to 20-23-1 on the year. Tom Askey took the loss in goal for Kalamazoo, stopping 20-of-25 shots as the K-Wings fell to 21-13-3. Kalamazoo finished the game 1-for-6 on the power play; Elmira was 0-for-1 on their only Hill Top Inn power play of the night.

The Jackals finish off their weeklong road trip with a Sunday afternoon contest with the Muskegon Fury; a 2:00 pm face off. Elmira's next home game comes on Wednesday January 31st as they host the Port Huron Flags for a 7:05 pm face off.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 27, 2007


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