Jackals Clipped by the Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Elmira Jackals fell for the third game in a row to the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena. The 5-4 loss dropped Elmira's record to 3-8-0 on the season.

Click here for tonight's box score.

Prior to tonight's contest, the Nailers had not given up more than two goals in any of their last five. But the Jackals got to rookie goalie Eric Hartzell twice in the stanza and held leads of 1-0 and 2-1. The Jackals' goals were courtesy of Matt Carter right as a Jackals power play expired, and an unassisted shorthanded breakaway by Jordan Pietrus. Elmira answered back with goals from Zach Torquato off the rush and a power play strike from Cody Sylvester with 31 seconds remaining. Maxime Clermont turned in 10 saves during the first while Hartzell knocked away 13.

In the second the teams continued to trade goals. Max MacKay turned a blocked shot by Chaz Johnson into an odd-man rush and scored five-hole on Clermont for his first of the season. With the period wrapping up, Rob Bellamy took off after a Wheeling turnover at the Elmira line and buried a backhander under Hartzell's arm. The tally was Bellamy's third of the year and came with 3:19 left. The second was filled with penalties as the Jackals went on the advantage twice and the Nailers had five trips to the power play.

While Elmira's power play was held scoreless on its first four tries, Artem Demkov got it off the skids early in the third. His eighth goal of the year was set up Keven Veilleux and Jakub Culek just 2:59 into the frame. The assist was Veilleux's first point as a Jackal, and Culek's assist gave him a point in two straight games. The Jackals couldn't hold off the Nailers' comeback bid, though. Denver Manderson scored the tying goal on a wrist shot from between the circles and then, with 2:23 to play Mike Ratchuk banged home a rebound for the game winner. Clermont was pulled for the extra attacker in the final minute, but couldn't produce the tying goal.

Clermont shouldered the loss while making 26 saves. Hartzell earned his second win in a row with 29 stops for the Nailers. Elmira ended the night 1-for-6 on the power play and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals return home on November 22, 2013 to take on the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:05 p.m. M & T Bank is sponsoring a Thundersticks giveaway to the first 2,000 fans in attendance so get here early! 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 22: Elmira Jackals vs. Kalamazoo, 7:05 p.m. Click here to order tickets.

Saturday, November 23: Elmira Jackals vs. Kalamazoo, 7:05 p.m. Click here to order tickets.

Sunday, November 24: Elmira Jackals vs. Kalamazoo, 4:05 p.m. Click here to order tickets.  

Saturday, December 7: Lee Greenwood & Crystal Gayle Christmas Concert, 7:00 p.m. Click here to order tickets.