Holmberg's Hat-Trick Leads Elmira Past Evansville

EVANSVILLE, IN - Mitch Holmberg led the Jackals to a 4-1 victory with his first career hat-trick in his team debut tonight at the Ford Center in Evansville.

Holmberg notched his first goal of the night 5:29 into the first period. Brodie Reid made his return to the lineup after two separate call-ups to the AHL and started the scoring play with a pass to Justin Daniels who found Holmberg in front for the backhand marker. Two minutes later Colin Jacobs was hit hard by Kevin Harvey and took his frustration out on Matt Lowry with a check that resulted in a scrap between Jacobs and Lowry. The Jackals out-shot and out-chanced the Icemen through the first 20 minutes and took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Evansville tied the game 2:20 into the second period with Colin Murray's third goal of the season. Holmberg registered his second goal of the night at 10:16 of the middle frame to regain the Jackals lead. Daniels entered the offensive zone in a four-on-four situation and found Holmberg at the net for the tip-in tally. In the final minute of the second period Steven Shamanski hit Jim McKenzie and McKenzie got up, challenging Shamanski to a fight. Shamanski got McKenzie's helmet off and landed a few rights before the linesmen stepped in.

Holmberg completed the hat-trick at 5:56 of the third period with a redirect off of Zach Tolkinen's point shot. Reid also added his second assist of the game on Holmberg's third goal. Reid would be the recipient of a tic-tac-toe passing play with Holmberg and Daniels at 13:16 of the third period. Daniels entered the offensive zone on the right side and moved it to Holmberg in the middle who fed Reid on the left side for the one-timer. Less than a minute later Harvey recklessly hit Spencer McAvoy and the Jackals captain, Matt Tassone, stepped in to defend his teammate and fight Harvey. Jacobs mixed it up with Donnie Harris late in the third period for his second fight of the game.

Sam Marotta stopped 22 of 23 shots faced for his sixth win of the season. Chris Driedger allowed four goals on 32 shots for the loss.

The Jackals improved to 12-2-1 all-time against Evansville and 6-0-0 at the Ford Center.