Jackals Shutout By Icemen, 1-0

ELMIRA, NY - Jackals goaltender Sam Marotta stopped 20 of 21 shots faced but was out-dueled by Evansville netminder Chris Driedger, who stopped all 38 shots he faced for the Icemen's 1-0 win. 

Former Jackal Kevin Harvey scored the lone goal in tonight's game at 10:48 of the first period. Matt Lowry moved the puck to Troy Rutkowski at the point and Rutkowski fired a shot that ended up on the stick of Harvey for his fifth of the season.

The Jackals out-shot the Icemen 38-21, but could not put one past Driedger. Tempers flared in the second period when Justin Kea dropped the gloves with Myles Bell at 9:45 of the middle frame. Less than a minute later, Guillaume Lepine caught Rob Florentino up high with an elbow and Steven Shamanski came in to defend his teammate. During the ensuing skirmish Nick Tuzzolino dropped the gloves with Matt Lowry and both players were handed game misconducts in addition to fighting majors for a secondary altercation.

The Jackals pressed in the third period and out-shot the Icemen 19-5 in the final 20 minutes but were thwarted by Driedger. Justin Daniels was awarded a penalty shot at 16:28 of the third period but wasn't able to capitalize on the opportunity.

Marotta made 20 saves on 21 shots faced but was handed the tough-luck loss and Driedger stopped all 38 shots faced for the shutout victory. The Jackals went 0-for-6 on the power-play and the Icemen were 0-for-2 with the man advantage.

To donate directly to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals. There will also be donation containers located inside Splitrock Brew Pub and at the concession stands during all Jackals home games this month.

Jackals Look To Finish November With Weekend Sweep

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, will face the Evansville Icemen for the final time at First Arena this season. The Jackals are 4-0-0 against Evansville this year, and 3-0-0 at First Arena.

  

WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (11-4-3) vs. Evansville Icemen - Ottawa/NHL & Binghamton/AHL (7-7-2) 

 

WHAT: Jackals Home Game #12. The Jackals are participating in Movember and will grow mustaches throughout the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues. To donate to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. EST

WHERE: First Arena - 155 N. Main St. Elmira, NY 14901

The Jackals look to finish November with a weekend sweep of the Evansville Icemen. This meeting marks the fifth of six meetings and final of four at First Arena this season. Elmira has won the first four meetings against Evansville this year, including a 3-0-0 record at home. The Jackals are 11-1-1 all-time against Evansville since the Icemen joined the ECHL in the 2012-13 season. Elmira is also 6-1-1 all-time at First Arena against the Icemen. The Jackals swept the first weekend series against Evansville two weeks ago with a 4-2 win on Friday and a 4-1 defeat on Saturday. They will eye another sweep tonight after defeating Evansville 3-2 in overtime last night. Former Icemen Mike Seidel scored the overtime game-winner 1:07 into the extra frame.

The Jackals have found great success in the confines of First Arena this season. Elmira leads the league with eight home wins (8-2-1). The Jackals are currently in the midst of a stretch where they play 10 of 12 games on home ice. They are 5-1-0 at First Arena during this stretch. Tonight marks the second of five straight home games for the Jackals.

Mike Seidel Scores Overtime Game-Winner Against Former Squad

ELMIRA, NY - Former Icemen Mike Seidel scored the game-winning-goal 1:07 into overtime to propel the Jackals to a 3-2 victory over the Evansville Icemen.

Team captain Matt Tassone got the Jackals on the board 2:37 into the first period with a redirect off of Justin Daniel's centering feed. Patch Alber also added an assist on Tassone's power-play tally. Daniels added another helper at 13:57 of the opening frame when he sprung Allan McPherson through the neutral zone for a breakaway. McPherson misses the first shot wide but buried the rebound off Icemen netminder Branden Komm for his eighth of the year. Jackals goaltender Sam Marotta stood tall on multiple occasions in the first period, including two breakaway stops to keep the Icemen at bay.

The Jackals carried their 2-0 lead into the second period and played tight defensively in the middle frame, out-shooting Evansville 15-7, but neither team capitalized in the second period.

Andre Bouvet-Morrissette cut the Jackals lead in half just 1:17 into the third period with a shot that snuck past Marotta. Patrick Kennedy and Troy Rutkowski assisted Bouvet-Morrissette's fifth of the season. Former Jackal Danny Hobbs tied the game at 5:33 of the third period on the power-play with a blast from inside the blueline. Zach Currie and Kale Kerbashian assisted Hobbs' second of the season. Neither team notched the go-ahead-goal in the remainder of the third period, so they headed to overtime. Kennedy attempted to stick-handle through Tassone at the Evansville blueline and coughed it up to Seidel who streaked in alone and netted the game-winner past Komm.

Marotta stopped 31 of 33 shots faced for the victory and Komm turned aside 42 of 45 shots faced but was handed the loss. The Jackals went 1-for-5 on the power-play and Evansville went 1-for-4 with the man advantage.

To donate directly to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals. There will also be donation containers located inside Splitrock Brew Pub and at the concession stands during all Jackals home games this month.  

Game Preview: Elmira Jackals vs. Evansville Icemen 11-28-14

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, host the Evansville Icemen this weekend for the final two meetings at First Arena this season. The Jackals are 3-0-0 against Evansville this season.

 

WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (10-4-3) vs. Evansville Icemen - Ottawa/NHL & Binghamton/AHL (7-7-1) 

 
WHAT: Jackals Home Game #11. The Jackals are participating in Movember and will grow mustaches throughout the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues. To donate to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. EST

WHERE: First Arena - 155 N. Main St. Elmira, NY 14901

The Jackals host former bench boss Dwight Mullins and the Evansville Icemen for the fourth of six meetings and third of four at First Arena this season. Elmira has won the first three meetings against Evansville this year, with three left on the schedule. The Jackals are 10-1-1 all-time against Evansville since the Icemen joined the ECHL in the 2012-13 season. Elmira is also 5-1-1 all-time at First Arena against the Icemen. The Jackals swept the first weekend series against Evansville two weeks ago with a 4-2 win on Friday and a 4-1 defeat on Saturday. Ryan Rashid, Nick Tuzzolino and Rob Florentino scored their first goals of the season in Friday's third period comeback win. Andrew Conboy scored just 38 seconds into Saturday's contest and the Jackals cruised to victory.

Today the Jackals received forwards Justin Kea and Kevin Sundher and defenseman Brady Austin from Rochester. Kea has eight points in 13 games for Elmira this season, including a current four-game point streak. Sundher played for the Jackals in one preseason game and notched a goal. Austin is a 6-4 225-pound rookie blueliner and registered one assist in 13 games for the Americans.

Jackals Get A Trio From Rochester

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that forwards Justin Kea and Kevin Sundher and defenseman Brady Austin have been reassigned to Elmira from Rochester by Buffalo.  

Kea, 20, returns to the Jackals after appearing in one game with Rochester. The 6-foot-4 205-pound forward has recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in 13 games with Elmira and posted five points (two goals, three assists) in the last four games for the Jackals. The Woodville, Ontario native was selected in the third round (#73 overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He spent the last four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Saginaw Spirit. Kea recorded 117 points (51 goals, 66 assists) and 324 penalty minutes in 253 OHL games.

Sundher, 22, brings 111 games of AHL experience to Elmira. The Surrey, British Columbia native has recorded one assist in 13 games with Rochester this season. Sundher has registered 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) in his professional career. Sundher did appear in one preseason game for the Jackals and notched a goal. The 5-foot-11 195-pound forward was selected in the third round (#75 overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

Austin, 21, joins the Jackals blueline after skating in 13 games for Rochester this year. The 6-foot-4 225-pound defenseman recorded one assist and 10 penalty minutes with the Americans. Prior to turn pro, Austin completed five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League split between London, Belleville and Erie. The Bobcaygeon, Ontario native recorded 110 points (29 goals, 81 assists) and 194 penalty minutes in 322 OHL games. Austin was selected in the seventh round (#193 overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

Additionally, the Jackals announced that they have released forward Stefano Momesso. The rookie forward registered one assist in six games with the Jackals.

Jackals Earn Shootout Victory Against Reading

READING, PA - The Jackals earned their first shootout victory of the season in a 4-3 win against the Reading Royals tonight at Santander Arena.

Adam Comrie gave Reading the game's first goal 9:36 into the opening period. The defenseman found space in the neutral zone and carried the puck over the blueline then snapped a wrist shot past Travis Fullerton. Michael Caruso added the lone helper on Comrie's fourth of the year. The Jackals would answer at 16:08 of the first period and tie the game. Rob Florentino took a cross-ice feed from Kevin Hart and sniped a short-handed goal top-shelf over the shoulder of Connor Knapp. Matt Tassone also added an assist on Florentino's second goal of the season.

Elmira would carry the momentum from Florentino's late first period goal into the second frame and capitalize 1:37 into the stanza. Taylor Stefishen entered the zone on the left-hand side and snapped a shot past Knapp to give the Jackals a 2-1 lead. The Royals answered six minutes later with a power-play goal from David Marshall. Marshall blasted a shot from the boards-side of the right circle past Fullerton for his sixth goal of the year. Fullerton was pulled following Marshall's goal and Sam Marotta entered the game. Reading would score again on the power-play at 18:44 of the second period to take a 3-2 lead. Adam Comrie netted his second of the night and fifth of the year.

The Jackals captain, Matt Tassone, made his return to action tonight and buried the game-tying-goal at 5:09 of the third period. Tassone's sixth goal of the year chased Connor Knapp and Martin Ouellette entered the game for the Royals. Neither team scored the go-ahead tally in the third period and overtime didn't provide a winner either so the game went to a shootout. The Jackals were 0-for-3 in shootouts entering tonight, but goals from Colin Jacobs, Matt Tassone and Allan McPherson propelled them to their first shootout win of the year.

Marotta stopped 24 of 25 shots faced and three-of-four in the shootout for the victory. Ouellette stopped all nine shots he faced in relief action but only stopped one of four shootout attempts and took the loss. The Jackals went 0-for-3 on the power-play and the Royals finished 2-for-5 with the man advantage.

Jackals Visit Reading In East Division Matchup

READING, PA - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, visit Reading for the fifth of fifteen meetings this season and the third of eight at Santander Arena. The Jackals are 2-1-1 against Reading this season.

  

WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (9-4-3) at Reading Royals - Philadelphia/NHL & Lehigh Valley/AHL (8-5-1) 

  

WHAT: Jackals Away Game #7. The Jackals are participating in Movember and will grow mustaches throughout the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues. To donate to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Santander Arena - 700 Penn Street Reading, PA 19602

The Jackals visit Santander Arena for the fifth of fifteen meetings this season, and the third of eight in Reading. These two East Division foes battled in Elmira on Friday night, with the Jackals bettering the Royals 3-2 in overtime. Allan McPherson scored the game-winner 1:44 into the extra frame to propel the Jackals to victory. Thomas Nesbitt and Colin Jacobs added the other Jackals goals. Elmira's last visit to Reading resulted in a 3-1 win courtesy of two goals from captain Matt Tassone, which sandwiched the game-winner once again scored by Allan McPherson. Goaltender Travis Fullerton has stopped 63 of 66 shots in the last two games against the Royals, earning wins both nights.

Steven Shamanski is tied for the ECHL lead among defensemen with 13 points. He leads all rookie blueliners in points. He is tied for the league-lead among defensemen with eight power-play points and is second with six power-play assists.

Jackals Weekly Release 11/24-11/30

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, head into the final week of November with the most home wins in the ECHL. Elmira has been stellar at First Arena, going 7-2-1 on home ice.

Last Week's Record: 2-1-1
Overall Record: 9-4-3; third place in East Division, fifth place in Eastern Conference

Leaders:
Goals: Allan McPherson (7)
Assists: Taylor Stefishen & Steven Shamanski (10)
Points: Taylor Stefishen (15)
+/-: x Brayden Irwin (+7)
PIMs: Andrew Conboy (42)
PPG: Taylor Stefishen (4)
SHG: Matt Tassone & Mike Seidel (1)
Wins: Travis Fullerton (7)
GAA: Sam Marotta (2.18)
SVP: Sam Marotta (.926)


Previewing the Upcoming Week:

11/26 at Reading Royals - 7:30 p.m. EST
Home vs. REA 1-0-1, Away vs. REA 1-1-0

The Jackals visit Santander Arena for the fifth of fifteen meetings this season, and the third of eight in Reading. These two East Division foes battled in Elmira on Friday night, with the Jackals bettering the Royals 3-2 in overtime. Allan McPherson scored the game-winner 1:44 into the extra frame to propel the Jackals to victory. Thomas Nesbitt and Colin Jacobs added the other Jackals goals. Elmira's last visit to Reading resulted in a 3-1 win courtesy of two goals from captain Matt Tassone, which sandwiched the game-winner once again scored by Allan McPherson. Goaltender Travis Fullerton has stopped 63 of 66 shots in the last two games against the Royals, earning wins both nights.

11/28 vs. Evansville Icemen - 7:05 p.m. EST; 11/29 vs. Evansville Icemen - 7:05 p.m. EST
Home vs. EVN 2-0-0, Away vs. EVN 1-0-0 

The Jackals host former bench boss Dwight Mullins and the Evansville Icemen for the final two times at First Arena this season. Elmira has won the first three meetings against Evansville this year, with three left on the schedule. The Jackals are 10-1-1 all-time against Evansville since the Icemen joined the ECHL in the 2012-13 season. Elmira is also 5-1-1 all-time at First Arena against the Icemen. The Jackals swept the first weekend series against Evansville two weeks ago with a 4-2 win on Friday and a 4-1 defeat on Saturday. Ryan Rashid, Nick Tuzzolino and Rob Florentino scored their first goals of the season in Friday's third period comeback win. Andrew Conboy scored just 38 seconds into Saturday's contest and the Jackals cruised to victory.
Recapping Last Week:
11/19 at Wheeling: SOL 3-2
Elmira hit the road for its second Wednesday morning school game in two weeks. Taylor Stefishen got Elmira on the board 3:52 into the opening frame with a redirect in the slot on the power-play. Later in the first period the Jackals' special teams would strike again, but this time it would be the penalty kill. Thomas Nesbitt churned his legs to chase down Nick Tuzzolino's clearing feed and found Mike Seidel streaming down the middle for the short-handed marker. Derek Army cut the Jackals' lead in half with a wrap-around goal 6:26 into the third period. Less than two minutes later Clark Seymour's slap-shot from the point snuck past Sam Marotta and tied the game. David Gilbert and Zack Torquato scored in the shootout and Wheeling netminder Eric Hartzell stopped all four shots he faced to give the Nailers a 3-2 win.

11/21 vs. Reading: W 3-2

There is no love lost between these two teams and tempers flared before the puck was dropped at First Arena. Jackals alternate captain Andrew Conboy and Royals captain Bryant Molle dropped the gloves just 35 seconds into the game. After a scoreless first period, Thomas Nesbitt buried 1:36 into the second period to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead. The Royals answered less than five minutes later when Pat Mulllane netted his fifth goal of the year. The Jackals broke the tie just 4:47 into the third period when Colin Jacobs scored his second goal of the year on a penalty shot. Cam Reid evened the score at 11:38 of the third period with a power-play goal just seven seconds into the man advantage. Sixty minutes was not enough the settle the score between these two East Division rivals. The Jackals were forced to kill off a four minute penalty at the end of regulation and into overtime before Allan McPherson netted the overtime game-winner. Seconds after the Jackals returned the full-strength McPherson carried the puck in the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 with Nesbitt and capitalized on his own rebound to give the Jackals a 3-2 win.  

11/22 vs. Wheeling: W 6-3

Four point nights from Mike Seidel, Allan McPherson and Steven Shamanski led the Jackals attack in their 6-3 victory against the Wheeling Nailers. Seidel gave the Jackals the first goal of the game 11:25 into the opening period. He added his second goal of the night 3:38 into the second period when he redirected Nick Tuzzolino's shot from the point past Palazzese to give Elmira a 2-0 lead. Nick D'Agostino answered 1:07 later to cut the Jackals lead back down to one. McPherson restored the Jackals two-goal lead 8:21 into the period on the power-play, burying a cross-ice feed from Ryan Rashid. Zack Torquato responded less than a minute later and after 40 minutes the Jackals took a 3-2 lead into the intermission. Max MacKay tied the game on a 5-on-3 power-play just 4:56 into the third period. Elmira earned a 5-on-3 power-play later in the third and capitalized on its opportunity. Shamanski blasted a slap-shot through the five-hole of Palazzese and into the back of the net to give the Jackals a 4-3 lead 13:11 into the frame. Seidel completed his hat-trick 17:23 into the third period by batting a bouncing puck into the empty cage. Taylor Stefishen added one more goal on the man advantage 19:22 into the stanza to extend Elmira's lead to 6-3.

11/23 vs. Wheeling: L 2-0

The Jackals six-game winning streak at First Arena came to an end on Sunday with a 2-0 loss to the Wheeling Nailers. Derek Army would strike first and give the Nailers a 1-0 lead 11:28 into the opening period. 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. 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.

Quick Hits:

* Sam Marotta leads all rookie netminders with a 2.18 goals-against-average. His GAA ranks sixth in the ECHL among all goalies.

* Taylor Stefishen is tied for fifth among rookies with 15 points. He is second among rookies with 4 power-play goals.

* Steven Shamanski is tied for the ECHL lead among defensemen with 13 points. He leads all rookie blueliners in points. He is tied for the league-lead among defensemen with 8 power-play points and is second with 6 power-play assists.

* Allan McPherson is tied for fourth among rookies with 7 goals.

* Elmira is sixth in the league allowing 2.81 goals-against-per-game.

* Elmira is third in the ECHL on the road penalty kill at 91.3% (21-for-23).

* Elmira is fifth in the league on the power-play at 21.9% (14-for-64).

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.

Jackals Sign Daniels; Marotta Returns From Rochester

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that they have signed forward Justin Daniels. Additionally, goaltender Sam Marotta has returned from loan to Rochester.

Daniels, 25, rejoins the Jackals after playing for Elmira during the 2012-13 season. The Suffern, NY native started this season with Reading and recorded one assist in five games. Daniels did not play last season due to an injury. He notched ten points (four goals, six assists) with Elmira two seasons ago. The 6-foot-2 205-pound forward also skated in six games for the Augusta Riverhawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League during the 2012-13 season. Prior to turning pro, Daniels played three seasons at Northeastern University, recording 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 93 NCAA games. Daniels was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the third round (#62 overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. His twin brother, Drew, played with Justin in Sioux City with the Musketeers of the United States Hockey League. The brothers both attended Northeastern and Drew was also selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Marotta, 23, returns to Elmira after receiving his first professional AHL call-up. He did not appear in either of the two games he dressed for with the Rochester Americans. Marotta has posted a 2-1-1 record with a 2.45 goals-against-average and a .919 save percentage in four games for the Jackals this season. The Bridgewater, Massachusetts native was signed by the Jackals on October 27th. Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-4 200-pound goaltender appeared in 47 games for Merrimack College and posted a 2.39 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage.

Jackals Hammer Nailers, 6-3

ELMIRA, NY - Four point nights from Mike Seidel and Steven Shamanski led the Jackals attack in their 6-3 victory against the Wheeling Nailers. Allan McPherson added three points in Elmira's dismantling of its former Atlantic Division rival.

Mike Seidel gave the Jackals the first goal of the game 11:25 into the opening period. The play began with a give-and-go outlet pass between Allan McPherson and Zach Tolkinen and ended on the stick of Seidel who deposited the backhand shot over Nailers netminder Franky Palazzese.

Seidel added his second goal of the night 3:38 into the second period when he redirected Nick Tuzzolino's shot from the point past Palazzese to give Elmira a 2-0 lead. McPherson added his second assist of the night on Seidel's fourth goal of the year. Nick D'Agostino answered 1:07 later to cut the Jackals lead back down to one. McPherson restored the Jackals two-goal lead 8:21 into the period on the power-play, burying a cross-ice feed from Ryan Rashid. Shamanski also added an assist with the man advantage. Zack Torquato responded less than a minute later and after 40 minutes the Jackals took a 3-2 lead into the intermission.

Max MacKay tied the game on a 5-on-3 power-play just 4:56 into the third period. Elmira earned a 5-on-3 power-play later in the third and capitalized on its opportunity. Shamanski blasted a slap-shot through the five-hole of Palazzese and into the back of the net to give the Jackals a 4-3 lead 13:11 into the frame. Colin Jacobs and Seidel added assists on Shamanski's third goal of the season. Seidel completed his hat-trick 17:23 into the third period by batting a bouncing puck into the empty cage. Shamanski and Rashid assisted Seidel's fifth goal of the year. Taylor Stefishen added one more goal on the man advantage 19:22 into the stanza to extend Elmira's lead to three. Shamanski added a power-play helper on Stefishen's fifth goal of the season.

Travis Fullerton stopped 25 of 28 shots faced to earn his seventh victory of the season. Palazzese stopped 27 of 33 shots faced and was handed the loss. The Jackals finished 3-for-7 on the power-play and Wheeling finished 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

Jackals Sign Forward Jon Puskar

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that they have signed rookie forward Jon Puskar.

Puskar, 25, joins the Jackals after appearing in four games for the Cincinnati Cyclones to start the season. The 5-foot-11 195-pound forward skated in one game for the Florida Everblades at the end of last season after completing his collegiate career at American International College. Puskar recorded 96 points (48 goals, 48 assists) and 172 penalty minutes in 131 NCAA games. The Canton, MI native split his junior hockey career between the Alpena IceDiggers of the North American Hockey League, the Lincoln Stars and the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League and the Burnaby Express and the Quesnel Millionaires of the British Columbia Hockey League.

Additionally, the Jackals placed forward Todd Orlando on the 21-day IR retroactive to November 20th.

Orlando, 28, has appeared in six games for the Jackals this season. The 6-foot-8 240-pound forward has collected 32 penalty minutes and a plus-one rating.

Elmira Hosts Wheeling In Matchup of Former Atlantic Division Foes

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, eye their sixth straight win at First Arena tonight when they host their former Atlantic Division foe, the Wheeling Nailers.

  

WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (8-3-3) vs. Wheeling Nailers - Pittsburgh and Montreal/NHL & Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Hamilton/AHL (6-5-0) 

  

WHAT: Jackals Home Game #9. The Jackals are participating in Movember and will grow mustaches throughout the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues. To donate to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. EST

WHERE: First Arena - 155 N. Main St. Elmira, NY 14901

The Jackals host Wheeling at First Arena for the first home meeting of the season. Elmira visited the Nailers at WesBanco Arena last Wednesday for a 10:35 a.m. school day game. First period goals from Taylor Stefishen and Mike Seidel provided the Jackals with a 2-0 lead going into the third period, but the Nailers battled back and tied the game, sending it into extra time. Neither team capitalized in overtime, so the contest continued into a shootout. The Nailers topped the Jackals in the skills competition and took the first meeting of the season. Last season the Jackals and Nailers met fifteen times and Elmira finished with a 3-9-3 record against their former Atlantic Division rival. Despite the tough sledding last season, the Jackals hold the advantage with a 37-25-9 all-time record against the Nailers.

Travis Fullerton has taken his game to the next level in the month of November. The Riverview, NB native is 3-0-1 with a 1.46 goals-against-average and a .947 save percentage in four starts this month.

Jackals Prevail Against Reading In Overtime, 3-2

ELMIRA, NY - Allan McPherson scored 1:44 into overtime to propel the Jackals to a 3-2 victory against the East Division rival Reading Royals.

There is no love lost between these two teams and tempers flared before the puck was dropped at First Arena. Jackals alternate captain Andrew Conboy and Royals captain Bryant Molle jawed at each other before the opening faceoff and dropped the gloves just 35 seconds into the game. Neither team scored in the first period and the game went into the first intermission as a scoreless tie.

Thomas Nesbitt buried 1:36 into the second period to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead. Nesbitt streamed down the left wing and scored short-side top-shelf over Martin Ouellette's shoulder for his third goal of the season. The Royals answered less than five minutes later when Pat Mulllane netted his fifth goal of the year. Ian Watters and Sean Wiles recorded the assists on Mullane's tally.

The Jackals broke the tie just 4:47 into the third period when Colin Jacobs buried his second goal of the year. Jacobs exited the penalty box and received a cross-ice pass from Mike Seidel and streaked into the offensive zone down the left wing side with a step on the Reading defender. Jacobs was hauled down and netted the go-ahead-goal on the awarded penalty shot opportunity. Cam Reid evened the score at 11:38 of the third period with a power-play goal just seven seconds into the man advantage.

Sixty minutes was not enough the settle the score between these two East Division rivals. The Jackals were forced to kill off a four minute penalty at the end of regulation and into overtime before Allan McPherson netted the overtime game-winner. Seconds after the Jackals returned the full-strength McPherson carried the puck in the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 with Nesbitt and capitalized on his own rebound to give the Jackals a 3-2 win.

Travis Fullerton stopped 29 of 31 shots faced for the win and Ouellette stoped 20 of 23 shots faced but was handed the loss. The Jackals went 0-for-3 with the man advantage and the Royals went 1-for-8 on the power-play.

Jackals Open Three-In-Three At Home Against Reading

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, open their second three-in-three of the season tonight at home against the East Division rival Reading Royals.

  

WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (7-3-3) vs. Reading Royals - Philadelphia/NHL & Lehigh Valley/AHL (6-5-0) 

  

WHAT: Jackals Home Game #8. The Jackals are participating in Movember and will grow mustaches throughout the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues. To donate to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. EST

WHERE: First Arena - 155 N. Main St. Elmira, NY 14901

Elmira hosts the rival Reading Royals at First Arena for the fourth of fifteen meetings this season and the second of seven on home ice. These two East Division foes have met at First Arena on October 24, which turned out to be an action-packed nail-biter. The Jackals erased a three-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes of the third period and forced overtime when Brayden Irwin scored on a penalty shot with 53 seconds remaining. The Royals came out victorious in the shootout, but the Jackals battled back and earned a hard-fought point. The Jackals traveled to Reading the next night and fell 5-1 in the Royals' home opener. But, Elmira bounced back in the weekend finale and defeated the Royals at Santander Arena 3-1. The all-time series has been tight between these two rivals, with the Jackals holding a 45-44-11 advantage.

Taylor Stefishen is currently third in the league among rookies with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 13 games this season. Stefishen's 10 helpers are tops among first-year players and leads the Jackals. He also leads the team with three power-play goals and a plus-7 rating.

Kea Reassigned To Rochester Marotta Loaned To Rochester; Tassone Activated From Reserve

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and the AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that rookie forward Justin Kea has been reassigned to Rochester by Buffalo. Additionally, goaltender Sam Marotta has been loaned to the Americans and captain Matt Tassone has been activated off of reserve.

Kea, 20, has collected eight points (three goals, five assists) in 13 games this season for the Jackals. The Woodville, Ontario native posted five points (two goals, three assists) in the last four games. This is the first call-up for the 6-foot-4 205-pound forward. Kea was selected in the third round (#73 overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He spent the last four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Saginaw Spirit. Kea recorded 117 points (51 goals, 66 assists) and 324 penalty minutes in 253 OHL games.

  

Marotta, 23, has posted a 2-1-1 record with a 2.45 goals-against-average and a .919 save percentage in four games for the Jackals this season. The Bridgewater, Massachusetts native was signed by the Jackals on October 27th. Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-4 200-pound goaltender appeared in 47 games for Merrimack College and posted a 2.39 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage.

Tassone, 25, has been out of the lineup since leaving in the first period on November 5th. The St. Albert, Alberta native has notched nine points (five goals, four assists) in six games for the Jackals this season. All nine of Tassone's points have been accumulated in his last four games played. The 6-foot-2 210-pound forward was named the Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for October 27-November 2. 

To donate directly to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals. There will also be donation containers located inside Splitrock Brew Pub and at the concession stands during all Jackals home games this month.  

Jackals Outdueled In Shootout; Fall 3-2 at Wheeling

WHEELING, WV - The Jackals climbed out to an early 2-0 lead at WesBanco Arena, but faltered in the third period and fell 3-2 in the shootout.

Elmira hit the road for its second Wednesday morning school game in two weeks. Today the Jackals took the ice against their former Atlantic Division rival, the Wheeling Nailers. Taylor Stefishen got Elmira on the board 3:52 into the opening frame with a redirect in the slot on the power-play. Zach Tolkinen and Justin Kea earned the assist's on Stefishen's fourth of the year. Kea extended his point streak to four games (two goals, three assists). Later in the first period the Jackals' special teams would strike again, but this time it would be the penalty kill. Thomas Nesbitt churned his legs to chase down Nick Tuzzolino's clearing feed and found Mike Seidel streaming down the middle for the short-handed marker. Tempters flared between the two rivals towards the end of the first period and was capped by fights between Tuzzolino and Patrick McGrath and Todd Orlando and Chaz Johnson.

The second period proved to be more docile between the Jackals and Nailers. The middle frame saw just three minor penalties combined between the two teams and neither team added to the score-sheet.

Derek Army cut the Jackals' lead in half with a wrap-around goal 6:26 into the third period. Morgan Ellis and David Gilbert added the assists on Army's second goal of the season. Less than two minutes later Clark Seymour's slap-shot from the point snuck past Sam Marotta and tied the game. Riley Brace and Nick D'Agostino assisted Seymour's first goal of the year. Neither team broke the tie in the final 11:53 of the third period or the five minute overtime session.

Gilbert and Zack Torquato scored in the shootout and Wheeling netminder Eric Hartzell stopped all four shots he faced to give the Nailers a 3-2 win.

Marotta stopped 25 of 27 shots faced in 65 minutes and turned aside two of four shootout attempts but was handed the shootout loss. Hartzell turned aside 19 of 21 shots faced and stopped all four shootout attempts to earn the win. The Jackals went 1-for-6 on the power-play and Wheeling went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.

Jackals Visit Wheeling For Wednesday Morning School Game

ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, play their second morning school game in two weeks as they pay the Wheeling Nailers a mid-week visit. This is the first of thirteen meetings between these two former Atlantic Division foes.

 
WHO: Elmira Jackals - Buffalo/NHL & Rochester/AHL (7-3-2) at Wheeling Nailers - Pittsburgh and Montreal/NHL & Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Hamilton/AHL (5-5-0)
 

WHAT: Jackals Away Game #6. The Jackals are participating in Movember and will grow mustaches throughout the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues. To donate to the Jackals Movember fundraiser visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/index/search?q=elmira+jackals.

WHEN: 10:35 a.m EST

WHERE: WesBanco Arena - 1315 Main Street Wheeling, WV 26003

The Jackals travel to Wheeling for their first visit against the Nailers this season. Tonight's game marks the first of thirteen meetings between these two foes and the first of seven at WesBanco Arena. Last season the Jackals and Nailers met fifteen times and Elmira finished with a 3-9-3 record against their former Atlantic Division rival. Despite the tough sledding last season, the Jackals hold the advantage with a 37-25-8 all-time record against the Nailers. Due to the ECHL realignment these old rivals will no longer play in the same division. The Jackals are now in the new-look East Division with Reading, Gwinnett, Greenville, Florida, Orlando and South Carolina. The Nailers make the move into the North Division with Evansville, Indy, Cincinnati, Kalamazoo, Toledo and Fort Wayne.

Travis Fullerton and Sam Marotta have stepped up their play in November while splitting time in net. Fullerton is 2-0-1 with a 1.30 goals-against-average and a .952 save percentage in three starts this month. Marotta holds a 2-1-0 record with a 2.67 goals-against-average and a .918 save percentage this month.

Steven Shamanski leads all Jackals defensemen with nine points which tie him for fifth in the ECHL among all blueliners. The Carberry, MB native also leads all rookie defensemen with 5 power-play points and is tied for first with nine points.

Jackals Weekly Release 11/17-11/23

ELMIRA, N.Y. - November 17, 2014 - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, are off to a strong start to the 2014-15 season. They completed the weekend sweep against former bench boss Dwight Mullins and the Evansville Icemen with a 4-2 victory on Friday and a 4-1 win on Saturday. The Jackals have won four straight games at First Arena and are 7-3-2 on the season.

Last Week's Record: 2-0-0
Overall Record: 7-3-2; second place in East Division, fourth place in Eastern Conference

Leaders:
Goals: x Brayden Irwin (6)
Assists: Taylor Stefishen (10)
Points: x Brayden Irwin (14)
+/-: Taylor Stefishen (+8)
PIMs: Andrew Conboy (37)
PPG: Taylor Stefishen (2)
SHG: Matt Tassone (1)
Wins: Travis Fullerton (5)
GAA: Travis Fullerton (2.37)
SVP: Sam Marotta (.918)

Previewing the Upcoming Week:
11/19 at Wheeling Nailers - 10:35 a.m. EST
Home vs. WHL 0-0-0, Away vs. WHL 0-0-0

The Jackals travel to Wheeling for their first visit against the Nailers this season. Wednesday's game marks the first of thirteen meetings between these two foes and the first of seven at WesBanco Arena. Last season the Jackals and Nailers met fifteen times and Elmira finished with a 3-9-3 record against their former Atlantic Division rival. Despite the tough sledding last season, the Jackals hold the advantage with a 37-25-8 all-time record against the Nailers. Due to the ECHL realignment these old rivals will no longer play in the same division. The Jackals are now in the new-look East Division with Reading, Gwinnett, Greenville, Florida, Orlando and South Carolina. The Nailers make the move into the North Division with Evansville, Indy, Cincinnati, Kalamazoo, Toledo and Fort Wayne.

11/21 vs. Reading Royals - 7:05 p.m. EST
Home vs. REA 0-0-1, Away vs. REA 1-1-0
Elmira hosts the rival Reading Royals at First Arena for the fourth of fifteen meetings this season and the second of seven on home ice. These two East Division foes have met at First Arena on October 24, which turned out to be an action-packed nail-biter. The Jackals erased a three-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes of the third period and forced overtime when Brayden Irwin scored on a penalty shot with 53 seconds remaining. The Royals came out victorious in the shootout, but the Jackals battled back and earned a hard-fought point. The Jackals traveled to Reading the next night and fell 5-1 in the Royals' home opener. But, Elmira bounced back in the weekend finale and defeated the Royals at Santander Arena 3-1. The all-time series has been tight between these two rivals, with the Jackals holding a 45-44-11 advantage.

11/22 vs. Wheeling Nailers - 7:05 p.m. EST; 11/23 vs. Wheeling Nailers - 4:05 p.m. EST 
Home vs. WHL 0-0-0, Away vs. WHL 0-0-0
The Jackals host Wheeling at First Arena for the first two home matchups of the season. This weekend's games mark the second and third of thirteen meetings between these two foes and the first of six at First Arena. Last season the Jackals and Nailers met fifteen times and Elmira finished with a 3-9-3 record against their former Atlantic Division rival. Despite the tough sledding last season, the Jackals hold the advantage with a 37-25-8 all-time record against the Nailers. Due to the ECHL realignment these old rivals will no longer play in the same division. The Jackals are now in the new-look East Division with Reading, Gwinnett, Greenville, Florida, Orlando and South Carolina. The Nailers make the move into the North Division with Evansville, Indy, Cincinnati, Kalamazoo, Toledo and Fort Wayne.

Recapping Last Week:
11/14 vs. Evansville: W 4-2

For the third consecutive game the Jackals overcame a third period deficit and defeated the Evansville Icemen 4-2 on the back of three goals in the final 20 minutes. The Jackals trailed by one late in the first period but Ryan Rashid's first goal of the season tied it 1-1 going into the break. Patch Alber forced the turnover at Evansville's blueline and Rashid was able to pick up the rebound and deposit it past Chris Driedger at 18:10 of the first period. The Jackals headed into the third down 2-1 but showed their resiliency for the third straight game and tied the contest 2-2 when Nick Tuzzolino slammed home his first of the year at 3:29 of the third period. Colin Jacobs and Taylor Stefishen earned the assists on Tuzzolino's tally. Thomas Nesbitt capitalized less than four minutes later and snapped a shot short-side past Driedger for his second of the season. Justin Kea and Taylor Stefishen were credited with the helpers on Nesbitt's goal. Rob Florentino scored his first professional goal and added the insurance marker at 15:06 of the third period. Stefano Momesso found Florentino backdoor and earned an assist in his first professional game. Mike Seidel also added a helper on Florentino's first goal. Marotta stopped 17 of 19 shots faced for his second win of the season.

11/15 vs. Evansville: W 4-1
The Jackals completed their weekend sweep of the Evansville Icemen with a 4-1 victory tonight at First Arena. Andrew Conboy started the party with a goal just 38 seconds into the game and the Jackals continued to cruise against the Icemen. Allan McPherson and Steven Shamanski earned the assists on Conboy's second goal of the season. Less than four minutes later Justin Kea extended his point streak to three games with a beautiful backhand feed that found Colin Jacobs streaking through the slot. Jacobs' marker was his first of the season and was assisted by Kea and Tuzzolino. Elmira extended its 2-0 lead at 8:15 of the second period when Justin Kea redirected Mike Seidel's wrist shot for his third goal of the season. Shamanski also added an assist on Kea's tally. The Jackals added to their lead at 11:49 of the frame courtesy of Nick Tuzzolino's second goal in as many games. The veteran blueliner buried a blast past Chris Driedger on the power-play to extend the Jackals lead to 4-0. McPherson and Seidel recorded the helpers on Tuzzolino's tally. Fullerton finished with 27 saves on 28 shots and earned his fifth victory of the season.

Quick Hits:
* Taylor Stefishen leads all ECHL rookies with 10 assists.

* Steven Shamanski leads all rookie defensemen with 5 power-play points and is tied for first with nine points.

* Elmira ranks fourth in the league on the power-play at 23.3% (10-for-43).

* The Jackals penalty-kill is tied for fourth in the league on the road at 90.0% (18-for-20).

* Elmira is fifth in the ECHL with 32.33 shots for per game.

* Elmira is on a four-game home winning streak.

Jackals Start Fast and Sweep Icemen, 4-1

ELMIRA, NY - The Jackals completed their weekend sweep of the Evansville Icemen with a 4-1 victory tonight at First Arena. Andrew Conboy started the party with a goal just 38 seconds into the game and the Jackals continued to cruise against the Icemen.

The Jackals carried their momentum from last night's three-goal third period into tonight's contest against Evansville. Conboy capitalized in the opening shift of the game after he carried the puck behind the Icemen's net and popped out in the slot for the quick wrist shot. Allan McPherson and Steven Shamanski earned the assists on Conboy's second goal of the season. Less than four minutes later Justin Kea extended his point streak to three games with a beautiful backhand feed that found Colin Jacobs streaking through the slot. Jacobs' marker was his first of the season and was assisted by Kea and Tuzzolino. Seconds after the ensuing faceoff, Rob Florentino dropped the gloves with Matt Lowry and exchanged hard rights in the middle-weight bout.

Elmira extended its 2-0 lead at 8:15 of the second period when Justin Kea redirected Mike Seidel's wrist shot for his third goal of the season. Shamanski also added an assist on Kea's tally. The Jackals added to their lead at 11:49 of the frame courtesy of Nick Tuzzolino's second goal in as many games. The veteran blueliner buried a blast past Chris Driedger on the power-play to extend the Jackals lead to 4-0. McPherson and Seidel recorded the helpers on Tuzzolino's tally.   

Former Jackal Randy Cure thwarted Travis Fullerton's shutout bid at 4:01 of the third period, but that was as close as the Icemen would get. Fullerton finished with 27 saves on 28 shots and earned his fifth victory of the season. Driedger stopped 14 of 18 shots faced and was handed the loss after being pulled following the second period.