The Elmira Jackals head into the Christmas break this week looking for a win to snap a three-game losing streak. They will be on the road for three games in as many days this week following the holiday.
Last Week's Record: 0-3-0
Overall Record: 12-13-3, 27 pts., 4th Place Atlantic Division
PREVIEWING THE UPCOMING WEEK
12/27 at Cincinnati - 7:35 p.m., Home vs. CIN 1-1-0, Away vs. CIN 0-0-0
Thursday will be Elmira's first of two appearances in Cincinnati this season. The Jackals and Cyclones finish their season series with a tilt in Cincinnati on January 15. The teams are even at one win a piece after a pair of games in Elmira on October 26 and 27. Cincinnati claimed the first 3-2, in regulation, while Elmira grabbed a 3-2 overtime win the next night. The Jackals were 1-0-0 in Cincinnati last season and Thursday is their first game at U.S. Bank Arena since their 3-1 win there on February 16, 2012. The Jackals are 6-5-2 in their history in Cincinnati. Josh Shalla leads Cincinnati in goals with 11 while Michael Pelech paces the Cyclones in assists (17) and points (21). Brian Foster is Cincinnati's top goalie with a 12-3-2 record, 2.32 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage.
12/28 at Evansville - 7:15 p.m. CST, Home vs. EVN 0-0-0, Away vs. EVN 0-0-0
Friday night will be a pair of firsts for the Jackals; their first game at the Ford Center and their first game against the expansion Evansville IceMen. Evansville is in its first ECHL season after playing from 2008 to 2010 in the AllAmerican Hockey League, and last season in the Central Hockey League. The IceMen are the ECHL affiliates of the National Hockey League's Saint Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets, and the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen and Springfield Falcons. Josh Beaulieu enters the week as Evansville's leader in goals (12) and points (27) while Todd Robinson is its top play maker with 19 assists. Four different goalies have played at least four games for the IceMen this season, but Paul Karpowich has lead the way with 13 appearances, a 4-6-2 record, a 3.44 goals-against average, and a .889 saver percentage.
12/29 at Fort Wayne - 7:30 p.m., Home vs. FTW 0-0-0, Away vs. FTW 0-0-0
Saturday night will rekindle an old rivalry between the Jackals and Fort Wayne Komets. Fort Wayne is in its first season in the ECHL, but from 2000 to 2007 the Jackals and Komets battled as members of the United Hockey League. The Komets have a long history of professional hockey in Fort Wayne having played there every winter since 1952 as members of the original, and second-generation, International Hockey League, the UHL, and Central Hockey League. The Komets are affiliated with the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks and American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. Former Jackal Josh Brittain is tied with Brett Smith for the team lead with 11 goals while Brandon Marino is at the top of the list in assists (22) and points (32). Ken Reiter is Fort Wayne's main man between the pipes with a 7-5-1 record, a 2.89 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
12/19 at Trenton: L 4-5
The Jackals got locked up in another see-saw affair with the Titans on Wednesday. After a scoreless first period Jacob Drewiske spotted Trenton the lead 1:25 into the second only to see Kevin Harvey answer back 38 seconds later to tie the score. Justin Daniels, playing in his Jackals debut, tallied with just over 12 minutes gone by in the second to give Elmira its first lead of the night, but with 50 seconds left in the period Marcel Noebels tied the score with his ninth goal of the season. In the third Elmira built leads of 3-2 and 4-3 on markers by Artem Demkov and Louie Caporusso, but Ryan Grimshaw and Phil DeSimone netted the tying scores for the Titans. Andy Bombach capitalized 29 seconds after DeSimone's goal to give Trenton its first lead since the second minute of the second period and, eventually, the win.
12/21 at Wheeling: L 1-5
In Elmira's first visit to Wheeling this season the Nailers used a pair of quick flurries to pave the way to a four-goal win. Chris Barton provided all the firepower for the first attack with a 5-on-3 power play goal at 9:38 of the first and followed that with an even strength tally at 11:04. At 6:35 of the second period Artem Demkov pulled the Jackals within one with his 16th goal of the season. Wheeling bounced back with Philippe Lefebvre netting the Nailers' third goal 4:26 after Demkov. In the third stanza Daultan Leveille and Paul Crowder scored 21 seconds apart to put the game out of reach for the Jackals. Elmira was limited to a season-low 16 shots on goal in the game including six in the third period. The Jackals also were afforded a season-low one power play in the game.
12/22 at Wheeling: L 2-4
In the finale of back-to-back games Wheeling and Elmira played a tight back-and-forth game that was up for grabs until late in the third period. The Nailers fired the opening salvo when Cam Fergus slammed home the rebound of a Philippe Lefebvre shot 7:27 into the first. Despite an 8-6 shot advantage in the first 20 minutes the Jackals were unable to put one past goalie Scott Darling. In the second period former Nailer Jordon Southorn scored his third goal of the season to tie the score. The power play ruled the second period with each team trading man-advantage goals. Andrew Hotham pulled Wheeling ahead at 2:20 but Artem Demkov answered back at 5:51 with a one-timer from the left wing. Elmira again held the shot advantage at 12-8. In the third, though, Elmira was limited to a single shot on goal and could not battle back after Lefebvre scored at 16:00. Chris Barton set the final with an empty netter with 28 seconds to play.
QUICK HITS:
* With his power play goal on Saturday, Artem Demkov extended his goal streak to five games. It is the longest goal streak of his career and the longest of the season for the Jackals. His eight goals in the month of December are the most in a month in his pro career.
* Elmira continues a season-long stretch of seven straight games away from home this week. The Jackals are 0-3-0 to start the trip and have sustained their second road losing streak of three games or more. This week's three games are Elmira's first on the road against North Division opponents.
* The Jackals are the stingiest team when it comes to allowing first period goals. The 19 goals that they have surrendered in the first are the fewest in the league. On their current road trip the Jackals have given up two first-period goals in three games.
* Louie Caporusso has seven assists in December and has an assist in seven of the 10 games. He is averaging over a point per game this month with 11 (4G, 7A). He has been held without a shot in his last two games marking the first time he has not had a shot in back-to-back games. He has at least one shot in every game this season except three.
* The Jackals have played fewer games against the North Division than any other in the Eastern Conference and each of the two games have been against Cincinnati. The Jackals play 16 total games against the North Division this season.
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 4, 7:05 p.m. - Jackals vs. Reading Royals. Dave Clark Foundation Night. Click here for tickets.
January 6, 4:05 p.m. - Jackals vs. Trenton Titans. Blade's Birthday and Post-Game Skate with the Jackals. Click here for tickets.
January 11, 7:05 p.m. - Jackals vs. Evansville Icemen. Affordable Friday. Hot dogs, popcorn, and soda will be on sale for $2 each. Click here for tickets.
January 12, 7:05 p.m. - Jackals vs. Evansville Icemen. Rally Towel Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. Click here for tickets.
