Travis Fullerton Sets Team Record In Win Over Wheeling

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals ended their seven-game homestand in grand style tonight against the Wheeling Nailers. Travis Fullerton set a team record with 56 saves and Matt Harlow scored his first professional goal in the Jackals' 4-1 win.

The opening period provided the visiting team with three power-plays in the first 20 minutes, but the Jackals' penalty kill thwarted each Wheeling attack. Travis Fullerton got into an early groove and established a steady presence in the net. The Nailers' offensive thrust would eventually lead to a goal at 14:53 of the first frame. Jarrett Burton won a face-off in the Jackals' end and finished the play at the net on a rebound following Mike Ratchuk's point shot. Despite getting out-shot 24-11 in the opening stanza, Elmira endured the early push and countered at the end of the period. With seconds remaining in the first period, Steven Shamanski dropped the puck to Trevor Gerling, who released a quick shot on target. The puck squeezed through Eric Hartzell's legs and trickled to the goal-line, but wouldn't have crossed the line without a final push from Matt Harlow. Harlow's first pro marker proved to beat the buzzer and swing momentum to the Jackals' side heading into the first intermission.

The Jackals carried the momentum into the second period and capitalized at 8:34 with Ryan Rashid's 15th goal of the season. Joe Houk fed MIke Seidel up the wall and as Seidel entered the offensive zone he sauced a pass over to Rashid for the bar-in bury. Rashid's eventual game-winner was the lone goal scored by either team in the middle frame.

As the third period began, the Jackals were on the hunt to extend their lead and received the cushion from Thomas Nesbitt at 4:40 of the final frame. While the Jackals were shorthanded, Mike Bergin tipped the puck away from the Nailers' attack and started a three-on-one up the ice. Steven Shamanski and Thomas Nesbitt led the rush into the Nailers' end as Bergin followed the play from behind. The Jackals' trio moved the puck with precision as they neared the Nailers' net, until Nesbitt attempted a cross-crease pass to Shamanski, which deflected off of Derek Army's stick and past Hartzell. Lucas Bloodoff added another insurance goal at 16:45 of the third period as he received a pass from Nesbitt on a two-on-one rush and deposited a wrist shot past Hartzell. Nick Tuzzolino also assisted Bloodoff's 10th goal of the season.

Travis Fullerton set a Jackals' record with 56 saves on 57 shots faced to earn his 20th win of the season. Eric Hartzell allowed four goals on 37 shots faced before he was pulled with 3:15 remaining. Brandon Whitney came in relief and stopped both shots he faced. The Jackals went 0-for-4 on the power-play and Wheeling went 0-for-5 with the man advantage.