Jackals Four-Game Winning Streak Snapped In Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, MI - Steven Shamanski's wraparound goal tied the game at 9:01 of the third period, but Alex Mallet's go-ahead marker with 20 seconds left eliminated the Jackals' comeback bid.

Elmira had to weather the storm early as Kalamazoo controlled the play and held a heavy shot advantage in the first period. However, Taylor Stefishen was able to make the most of the Jackals chances and scored on the team's first shot of the game 6:55 into the first period. Thomas Nesbitt played the puck in the neutral zone to Brayden Irwin at the blueline, but Irwin couldn't handle the pass which trickled through the legs of the defenseman and Stefishen sped through to deposit his third goal of the season past Joel Martin. Sam Marotta turned aside each of the 19 Kalamazoo shots he faced in the opening 20 minutes.

The Wings would break through in the second period when Jeremie Blain's shot from the point snuck through the arm of Marotta at 14:58 of the middle frame. Less than three minutes later Nathan Longpre capitalized on a loose puck in the slot and buried it for his second of the season. Sasha Guimond added an assist on each tally but he wouldn't be done for the night.

Shamanski was able to breath life into the Jackals' potential comeback with a backhand wraparound goal with 10:59 remaining in regulation. Elmira felt the momentum shifting in its direction and surged forward on the attack. However, Mallet's goal with 20 seconds remaining sunk the Jackals' hopes of earning at least one point. Guimond earned his third helper of the game on Mallet's game-winner.

Nesbitt finished with two assists and Irwin extended his point-streak to nine games (six goals, eight assists) to open the season. Marotta stopped 43 of 46 shots faced but was handed the hard-fought loss. Martin turned aside 23 of 25 shots faced and earned the victory. Elmira went 0-for-1 on the power-play and Kalamazoo finished 0-for-3 with the man advantage.