Jackals Stonewall Reading For First Win

READING, Pa. - The Elmira Jackals used a 46 save performance from Scott Greenham and three points from Jordon Southorn (2 goals, 1 assist) to claim a 3-1 win over the Reading Royals on Saturday night. The win improved Elmira's record to 1-2-0 on the young season.

Click here for tonight's box score.

The first period was a struggle for control early on as neither the Jackals nor Royals could assert themselves as the dominant team. That changed midway through the period when Greenham was tagged with a delay of game minor. The Royals peppered the net with four shots during the advantage, but Greenham swatted each one away. The power play's momentum carried on for Reading, though, and they held Elmira without a shot for nearly ten minutes of play in the first. But things swung Elmira's way when, on the power play, Southorn fed a shot through a screen for his first goal of the season with 1:48 left in the stanza. Jakub Culek, who made his Jackals debut tonight, picked up his first pro point with an assist.

Elmira carried that lead into the second and built on it quickly. Southorn was fed at the center point by Danny New and rifled a slap shot past Riley Gill to put the Jackals in front by a pair with 4:05 gone by. Reading stayed persistent and tested Greenham with many quality chances. They finally broke through with a slap shot from defenseman Michael Cajkovsky 4:51 after Southorn's goal. But the Jackals bounced right back with Artem Demkov spiking  home a centering feed from Philip-Michael Devos. The goal was Demkov's first of the season and Devos netted his third assist in as many games.

The Royals threw everything they had at Greenham in the third period, which amounted to 15 shots, but the Jackals' netminder held his ground throughout the final stanza. Elmira had a chance to ice the game when Reading pulled Gill for the extra attacker with over a minute left, but Jordan Pietrus missed from the neutral zone and the final was set at 3-1.

Greenham earned his first win of the season with 46 saves for the Jackals, while Gill stopped 22 in the loss. Elmira ended the night 2-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals return home on November 1, 2013 to take on the Greenville Road Warriors at 7:05 p.m. The Jackals will be giving away free magnetic schedules to the fans in attendance. Don't forget that groups of 10 or more who book in advance receive discounts off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Call 607-734-7825 to get your group outing booked.

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UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS:

Friday, November 1: Elmira Jackals vs. Greenville, 7:05 p.m. Click here to order tickets.

Saturday, November 2: Legends of Wrestling featuring Rowdy Roddy Piper, X Pac, Tanaka, and more, 7:30 p.m. Click here to order tickets.

Friday, November 15: Elmira Jackals vs. Wheeling, 7:05 p.m. Click here to order tickets.