Jackals Foiled By Late Florida Goal

ELMIRA, NY - The Jackals stood toe-to-toe with the top-ranked Florida Everblades, but Alex Lavoie's goal with just 33 seconds remaining lifted the Everblades past Elmira. Steven Shamanski, Mitch Holmberg and Joe Houk scored for the Jackals.

The Jackals started the scoring at 14:34 of the opening frame with Steven Shamanski's 14th goal of the season. Joe Houk and Matt Harlow assisted Shamanski's marker. His 14th goal of the year set a new Jackals single-season record for a defenseman, which was previously set by Eric Regan. The Everblades would even the scoring at 17:37 with Steven Whitney's seventh goal of the season. Alex Lavoie and Nicolas Deschamps assisted Whitney's tally.

Neither team scored in the middle frame as the chippy play picked up and the tempers began to flair. There were five minor penalties called in the second period, but neither squad could capitalize on its opportunities.

The Jackals carried a power-play into the third period, but were unable to take advantage. Then, at 1:53 of the frame, Mitch Holmberg broke in on a breakaway and buried a beautiful backhand past Matt Ginn for his sixth goal of the season. Florida evened the score again at 6:01 of the third period with Matt Marquardt's 15th goal of the season, which came unassisted. Joe Houk would elevate Elmira over the Everblades with his first goal as a Jackal and second as a pro at 10:35 of the final frame. Matt Harlow earned the helper on Houk's go-ahead-goal. However, at 14:22, Mike Little tied the game with his 13th goal of the season, assisted by Marquardt and Mitch Wahl. It appeared as if the contest was headed towards extra time until Alex Lavoie tapped in his 19th goal of the season with 33 seconds remaining in regulation. Jesse Graham and Nicolas Deschamps assisted the game-winner. Ray Kaunisto added an empty-net marker with four seconds remaining to seal the Florida victory.

Sam Marotta stopped 22 of 26 shots faced, but was saddled with the loss. Matt Ginn stopped 30 of 33 and earned the win. The Jackals and Everblades each went 0-for-3 on the power-play.