Elmira Jackals Topple the Royals

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals picked up a 3-1 win over the Reading Royals in exhibition action on Saturday night at First Arena. With the victory the Jackals closed out the preseason with a perfect 2-0-0 record.

Click here for tonight's box score.

Click here for tonight's post game comments.

Jordan Pietrus picked up where he left off after a career-best 59 points last year and sparked the offense with a goal and an assist. Maxime Clermont anchored the defense and made several important stops as the clock wound down and Elmira protected a one-goal lead.

Reading opened up the scoring early in the first period with a power play goal from Stanislav Galiev. As he worked off of the left point, Galiev one-timed a pass from T.J. Syner with only 1:42 gone by. Former Jackal Louie Caporusso also assisted on the goal. The Jackals regrouped after the early setback and launched 11 shots in the period. But Reading goalie Brandon Anderson thwarted each attempt and Reading took the lead into the first intermission.

Elmira swung momentum in its favor in the second stanza during a stretch of four-on-four play. Rookie defenseman Zach McCullough broke up a Reading entry attempt at the blue line and started a counter attack with Pietrus in tow. A quick feed from the left wing hit Pietrus on the door step and he jammed it past Anderson for the tying score. Clermont shut Reading down in the second with nine saves which allowed the Jackals to grab their first lead in the third period.

Another strong defensive effort by the Jackals led to a quick-strike opportunity and the go-ahead goal in the third. Riley Boychuk poked the puck away from a Reading attacker at the Elmira blue line and flicked it up ice to Justin Gvora. Gvora's shot from the right wing circle hit Anderson in the shoulder and popped into the air. When the rebound came back to the ice Michael Beaudry punched it across the line for his first goal of the preseason.

The Jackals took the lead with 7:12 gone by in the third and had to endure a stern test from the Royals. Clermont saw 13 shots in the third, including several from in tight with Reading using an extra attacker in the final minute. An apparent tying goal with less than 30 seconds left was waived off because the net was dislodged before the puck went in. Then with seven seconds left Rob Bellamy hit the empty net for the insurance marker with assists from Pietrus and Matt Carter.

Clermont logged 29 saves in the winning effort. The Jackals ended the night 0-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their seventh season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 25 against the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets. They offer the best discount off of the box office price and come with great benefits like merchandise discounts, exclusive meet-and-greets with the team, ticket exchange, and more. Call 607-734-7825 to order your season tickets today. They start as low as $10 per game!

 
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UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS:
 
Sunday, October 13: Piccadilly Circus. Family fun at three shows - 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Click here to order tickets.

Thursday, October 17: Air Supply Live in Concert. Show begins at 7:00 p.m. and tickets start at $25.75. Click here to order tickets.

Friday, October 19: Art of Combat V. Preliminary card begins at 4:30 and main card begins at 7:00. One ticket covers both cards! Click here to order tickets.

Friday, October 25: Elmira Jackals Home Opener vs. Reading, 7:05 p.m. Click here to order tickets.