Jackals Blanked by Hartzell, Nailers 2-0

ELMIRA, NY - The Jackals six-game winning streak at First Arena came to an end today with a 2-0 loss to the Wheeling Nailers.  Sam Marotta returned to the Jackals from loan to Rochester and received the start after Travis Fullerton manned the pipes for the previous two nights. However, Derek Army would strike and give the Nailers a 1-0 lead 11:28 into the opening period. Army was the beneficiary of a loose puck that landed on his stick behind Marotta and he deposited it for his third goal of the season. Matia Mancantuoni and Chaz Johnson earned the assists. The Jackals out-shot the Nailers 15-8 in the first period but couldn't break through against Nailers netminder Eric Hartzell.

Elmira continued to out-shoot Wheeling throughout the second period, but Hartzell was up to the task. The Jackals put 12 shots on goal in the middle frame to Wheeling's seven, but were unable to tie the game. Hartzell also had some help from his goal-posts, which were rung by the Jackals multiple times throughout the night.

The Jackals pressed in the third period, but had every attempt thwarted by Hartzell. Army added the empty-net goal at 18:28 of the third period to seal the Nailers' win. Nick D'Agostino and Clark Seymour were credited with the helpers.

Wheeling's win ended the Jackals' six-game home winning streak and also their streak of six consecutive games with at least one point earned.

Marotta stopped 24 of 25 shots faced but was handed the tough-luck loss and Hartzell turned aside all 38 shots he faced for the shutout victory. Both teams went 0-for-5 on the power-play.