Game Preview: Elmira Jackals at Reading Royals 10-25-14

READING, P.A. - Today the Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, take on the Reading Royals in the second of 15 meetings this season. This is the first road game of the season for the Jackals.

  

WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (1-1-1) vs. Reading Royals - Philadelphia/NHL & Lehigh Valley/AHL (1-1-0) 

 

WHAT: Jackals Away Game #1. The Jackals look to rebound from a wild shootout loss last night at home and spoil the Opening Night for the Royals at Santander Arena.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m EDT

WHERE: Santander Arena - 700 Penn Street Reading, PA 19602

The Jackals face the Royals tonight for the second of 15 meetings, and first of eight at Santander Arena. These two East Division rivals opened the season series with a wild one last night at First Arena. The Jackals jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period, courtesy of rookie Allan McPherson's third goal in as many games and Justin Kea's first goal as a pro. The momentum shifted to Reading's side with a three-goal second period and five unanswered less than four minutes into the third period. Elmira showed its resiliency and battled back, scoring three goals in the final 10 minutes, including a penalty shot goal by Brayden Irwin with 53 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Despite the valiant effort, the Jackals fell in the shootout to Reading 6-5. Tonight is the first road game of the season for the Jackals.

Ten different Jackals have lit the lamp in the team's first three games. Rookie forward Allan McPherson leads the Jackals with three goals in as many games, which ties him for the league-lead among rookies. Fellow rookie Taylor Stefishen is tied for second in the league with two power-play tallies. Fourteen Jackals have recorded at least one point this season.

The Jackals boast one of the least-experienced teams in the ECHL, but that hasn't stopped their rookies from getting into the mix. Six rookies have scored for Elmira this season and eight rookies have recorded at least one point. Eleven first-year players have appeared for the Jackals this year.