Jackals Weekly Release 10/27-11/2

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, finished their second weekend of the season going 1-1-1 in their three-in-three set against the East Division rival Reading Royals.

Last Week's Record: 1-1-1
Overall Record: 2-2-1; third place in East Division, fifth place in Eastern Conference

Leaders:
Goals: Allan McPherson (4)
Assists: Brayden Irwin (5)
Points: Brayden Irwin (7)
+/-: Patch Alber (+2)
PIMs: Andrew Conboy (21)
PPG: Taylor Stefishen (2)
SHG: None
Wins: Travis Fullerton (2)
GAA: Travis Fullerton (3.32)
SVP: Travis Fullerton (.880)

Previewing the Upcoming Week:

10/31 vs. Brampton Beast - 7:05 p.m.; 11/1 vs. Brampton Beast - 7:05 p.m.
Home vs. BRM 0-0-0, Away vs. BRM 0-0-0
The Jackals return home looking to continue their winning ways against the Brampton Beast after defeating the Reading Royals 3-1 on Sunday. Friday will mark the first ever meeting between the Elmira Jackals and the Brampton Beast. Brampton is in its second year of existence and first season in the ECHL. The Jackals just completed their first three-in-three weekend of the season, earning three of a possible six points against the rival Royals. Brayden Irwin led the charge with five points over the weekend, bringing his season total to seven points (two goals, five assists) in five games. Rookies Allan McPherson and Taylor Stefishen have also provided an offensive spark for Elmira in the early going. McPherson leads all ECHL rookies with four goals and Stefishen is tied for second in the league with two power-play goals and is tied for the league-lead among rookies in power-play tallies.

Recapping Last Week:
10/24 vs. Reading: SOL 5-6

These two East Division rivals opened the season series with a wild one on Friday 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.

10/25 at Reading: L 1-5
The loveless rivalry continued on Saturday in Reading with more fights than goals in the first period. Taylor Stefishen and Adam Comrie dropped the mitts and Matt MacKenzie followed a minute later with Brett Flemming. Olivier Labelle gave the Royals a 1-0 lead at the intermission. For the second straight night the Jackals allowed three goals in the second period to Reading, giving the home team a 4-0 lead after two periods. Lucas Bloodoff dropped the gloves with Derek Mathers late in the second in an attempt to reignite the Jackals' flame for a third period comeback. Brayden Irwin got the Jackals on the board with a power-play blast but Reading quickly answered with a power-play goal of its own, snuffing out the Jackals comeback bid.

10/26 at Reading: W 3-1
The Jackals came out flying from the drop of the puck and capitalized on their first scoring chance just 34 seconds into the game. Matt Tassone found the loose change in the slot and buried the puck past Royals netminder Martin Ouellette for his first of the season. Lucas Bloodoff and Bryant Molle dropped the mitts on the ensuing faceoff continuing the tough play in this nasty rivalry. Seven minutes later Allan McPherson snapped a bouncing puck past Ouellette from the slot doubling the Jackals lead. Reading was able to cut the Jackals lead to one in the third period with a Mike Marcou power-play goal, but that would be as close as the Royals would get. Tassone scored the empty-net goal for his second of the night to seal the Jackals victory. Travis Fullerton stopped 34 of 35 shots faced for his second win of the season.

Quick Hits:
* Brayden Irwin is on a five-game point streak (two goals, five assists) to start the season. He recorded two goals (one power-play goal) and three assists this weekend. Irwin is tied for the league-lead with 4 power-play points.

* Allan McPherson leads all rookies with 4 goals.

* Taylor Stefishen is tied for second in the league with two power-play goals and is tied for the league-lead among rookies in power-play tallies.

* Elmira is tied for third in the ECHL on the power-play at 31.8% (7-for-22) and is second in the league at home on the power-play at 35.7% (5-for-14).