Game Preview: Elmira Jackals vs. Reading Royals 10-24-14

ELMIRA, N.Y. - 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 first of 15 meetings this season. This is also Game 1 of the DeMet's Turtle Cup between these two East Division rivals.

  

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

  

WHAT: Jackals Home Game #3. The Jackals look to exact revenge after struggling against the Reading Royals last season. Elmira does hold a one-game advantage in the all-time ECHL series between the two teams with a 44-43-10 record.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m EDT

WHERE: First Arena - 155 N Main Street, Elmira NY 14901

The Jackals open their 15-game season series against the East Division rival Reading Royals tonight at First Arena. Last season the Jackals struggled against Reading, going 2-13-1 versus the Royals. In the all-time series, Elmira holds the advantage with a 44-43-10 record. This season is a year of new beginnings between these two rivals. In the off-season Elmira switched its affiliation from the NHL's Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils to the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, Reading made a change as well, affiliating with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. New beginnings bring fresh change as the Jackals roster a young, talented group of players led by new bench boss Jamie Russell. Additionally, this will be the first year of the DeMet's Turtle Cup, which will be awarded to the winner of the season series.

Seven different Jackals have lit the lamp in the team's opening two games. Rookie forward Allan McPherson is the only Jackal to score twice this season, which ties him for the league-lead among rookies. Thirteen Jackals have recorded at least one point this season, seven of which are rookies.

Jackals captain Matt Tassone returns to the lineup tonight after serving a two-game suspension following an incident that occurred on October 11th in the Jackals' preseason finale at Santander Arena against the Royals. The Jackals captain is a familiar face for the Elmira faithful, having played part of the 2012-13 season in the Twin Tiers region.