Thank You Jackals for a Fantastic Season!!!
Round Two
Elmira vs. Cincinnati
The Cyclones complete the sweep in game four with a 2-0 victory. Cincinnati advances to face the winner of the Florida vs. South Carolina series in the Conference Finals.
Above: The Jackals could not solve Cyclones goalie and former Jackal Ryan Nie as he shuts out Elmira and propels Cincinnati to the conference finals. Click here to view more photos from this game.
The Jackals power play goes 0 for 7 while giving up two shorties to help Cincinnati take a 4-2 victory and commanding 3-0 series lead.
Above: Chris Korchinski scored one of Elmira's two goals in game three. Click here to view more photos from game three.
The Cyclones come from behind to take game two in overtime by a final score of 5-4.
Above: Pierre Luc Faubert nets his second goal of the game. Click here to view more photos from this game.
The Cincinnati Cyclones take game one by a tally of 8-3 before 2,553 fans at US Bank arena. Click Game two takes place tomorrow night.
Above: Cyclones players congratulate goalie Loic Lacasse following their game one victory. Click here to view more photos from this game
Round One
Elmira vs. Trenton
Jackals win decisive game 7 by a score of 5-3 to clinch round one over the Trenton Devils 4 games to 3. Read More Elmira moves on to face Cincinnati in the second round with games 1 and 2 this Friday and Saturday. Game 3 is Wednesday 4/29, game 4 is Friday 5/1 with game 5 if necessary Saturday 5/2. Games 6 and 7 if necessary will be held in Cincinnati on 5/5 and 5/6.
Above: Steve Yetman celebrates Pierre Luc Faubert's third period goal which gave the Jackals a 4-2 lead at the time. Yetman would add an empty net goal to put Elmira up 5-2. The Devils would net a third goal with the extra attacker but it was too little too late as the Jackals advance to meet Cincinnati in round two. Click here for more photos from this game
Trenton does it again! The Devils forced overtime once again and once again the Jackals failure to convert an OT power play opportunity cost them the game as Eric Castonguay scored at 5:43 of the second overtime period to knot the series at 3-3. Game 7 is Tuesday in Trenton.
Trenton lives to play another day! Trevor Kell netted a power play goal 7:56 into overtime to give the Devils a 3-2 win. Kell's goal came after Trenton killed a four minute Elmira power play.
Above: Trenton's bench reacts to Trevor Kell's OT game winner.
Above: Chris Korchinski goes airborne while trying to launch a shot on goal during third period action. Click here to view more photos from this game.
The Jackals get goals from Brandon Roach, Brendan Connolly and Pierre Luc Faubert and win game four 3-1 to take a 3-1 series lead. The Jackals can wrap up the series on home ice Saturday night. No reason we can not pack the Arena to cheer on our team!
Above: Brendan Connolly scores the game winning goal for Elmira in the second period putting Elmira up 2-0 at the time. Trenton would make it 2-1 in the third before Pierre Luc Faubert put it out of reach with an empty netter. Click here to view more photos from game four.
Teslak leads Jackals to 5-0 shutout victory in game three to put Elmira up 2-1 in the series.
Above: Brendan Connolly was a spark plug for the Jackals all night creating numerous offensive opportunities. Here Connolly crashes the net in the third period after sweeping in from the right wing and goes flying over Coleman's pads. Click here to view more photos from this game.
Devils take game two 6-5 to tie series 1-1. Click
Above: Steve Yetman reacts to Slavomir Tomko's goal in the first period of game 2. This was the second time in as many games that Tomko put Elmira on the board first. Click here to view more photos from this game.
Jackals take game one 5-4 in 4 OT'S Click
Above: Chaz Johnson celebrates Chris Korchinski's game tying goal late in the third period.
Above: Cunningham and Aspenlind celebrate Aspenlind's game winning goal in the fourth overtime. Click to view more photos from this game.
The Round One Series vs. the Treton Devils gets underway Friday April 10 at 7:05 in Trenton. Game 2 is Saturday April 11 in Trenton. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) are all in Elmira with Game 3 taking place Wednesday April 15. Game 4 is Thursday April 16 and game 5 is slated for Saturday April 18 all at First Arena. Get your tickets and let's fill the arena to cheer on our team!
I want to give everyone a heads up that I will be in Trenton for games one and two and will be updating this site from Trenton following the game.
Jackals release playoff roster
Scattered patches of highly Concentrated Snow fell throughout the City of Elmira and surrounding localities last night! CLICK
Chances are pretty good you have witnessed the phenomena of this pandemic permutation yourself. Jackals playoff fever is expected to spread and is highly contagious. The only known cure is to purchase playoff tickets for the first round of the ECHL playoffs between Elmira and Trenton. Purchase of subsequent playoff round tickets may be needed to rehabilitate those severely stricken.
April 2 - The Jackals wrapped up the regular season with a 6-5 win over Dayton. The win puts Elmira alone in first place with 85 points. The lead is precarious though as both Trenton and Cincinnati have 2 games remaining with 4 points up for grabs. This weekend will determine the final playoff seedings and we will post them here when they become available.
Above: Chaz Johnson sets up in front of the net on the power play during first period action. Johnson assisted on Chris Korchinski's first period goal and was instrumental in the Jackal's win. Click here to view more photos from this game.
April 1 - THEY DID IT!!! The 08-09 Elmira Jackals clinched a playoff spot with a 4-2 win over the Reading Royals.
Above: Chris Korchinski had a goal and an assist in tonight's 4-2 win over Reading. Click here to view more photos from this game including some of Josh Aspenlind who returned to Elmira from the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.
March 29 - The Jackals bounced back from last night's defeat to beat the Nailers 4-1. The victory puts Elmira back into a second place tie with Cincinnati with 81 points one point behind first place Trenton. Johnstown and Wheeling remain tied for fourth place with 78 points.
Above: Colton Yellow Horn opened the scoring for Elmira at the 19:00 min mark of the first period. Bear Trapp was crashing the net looking for a rebound and he reacts to Yellow Horn's marker by leaping over the outstretched pad of Wheeling net minder Curtis Darling. Click here to view more photos from this game.
March 28 - Wheeling took the two points right back with a 3-2 over Elmira. This defeat leaves the Jackals alone in third place. Three points behind first place Trenton, two behind second place Cincinnati and one point ahead of both Johnstown and Wheeling. A win Sunday over Wheeling puts the Jackals back in a second place tie with Cincy and one point out of First place.
Above: Derek Couture attempts a wrap a round during first period action to no avail. Click here to view more Photos from this game.
March 27 - The Jackals take the first of three 6-4 over the Wheeling Nailers. The win puts the Jackals back in a tie with idle Cincinnati for second place in the North behind the Trenton Devils.
Above: First period action with Chaz Johnson going hard to the net and taking out Wheeling defenseman #24 Scott Kalinchuk in the process. Click here for more photos from this game.
March 25 - The Jackals lost to Reading 4-1.
March 22 - Elmira gets the points back by defeating Johnstown on the road for a share of first place with Cincinnati.
Above: Michael Teslak makes one of his 30 saves in the win over Johnstown.
Above: Members of the Elmira Jackals Booster Club were at the game to cheer on the team. They took up most of one section but man were they loud as the Let's Go Jackals chant could be heard throughout the arena. Way to go Booster Club! More photos to come.
March 21 - Elmira looses to Johnstown 5-4 in OT.
Above: Players celebrate Nathan Lutz goal in the second period. Click here to view more photos from this game.
March 20 - The Jackals loose to Johnstown 3-2 in a shootout. Elmira scored first on a shorthanded breakaway by Steve Yetman who accepted a beautiful pass from Paul McIlveene, skated in all alone on Johnstown's Ian Keserich to score the go ahead goal. Johnstown came right back to tie it at 1-1 on a goal from former Jackal Trevor Hendrikx. Johnstown would go ahead 2-1 with only 1:06 left in the period on a goal by Ryan Garlock who was recently sent down to the Chiefs by the Syracuse Crunch.
The second period would end with the Jackals still trailing 2-1 but not without some great penalty killing by the Jackals squad led by a bone crunching check by Jackals captain Nathan Lutz on Ryan Garlock who was streaking down the right wing when Lutz put him on his wallet forcing a turnover which the Jackals cleared down the ice. All this while the Jackals faced a 5-3 Johnstown power play.
In the third period Trevor Hendrikx was whistled for covering the puck while in the crease which is a no no if you are not the goal tender. The result was a penalty shot (the second of the game for Elmira as Chaz Johnson was stopped on his attempt in the first period) which was taken by Chris Korchinski who beat Keserich low to the stick side to give Elmira a 2-2 tie.
2-2 was the score after regulation with both teams getting a point for their efforts. The overtime session did not settle things either so the game headed to a shootout. Ian Keserich stopped all 5 Jackals shooters while Andrew Sarauer was the only Chief to get one past Teslak giving the Chiefs the extra point and part of a four way tie for second place with Elmira, Wheeling, and Trenton all with 74 points. Cincinnati remains on top with 75 points.
Above: In the overtime session Steve Yetman is stopped by Ian Keserich on another breakaway attempt. Yetman opened the scoring for the Jackals in the first period on a similar play but Keserich got the upper hand this time. Click here to view more photos from this game.
March 17 - This is the kind of broken record we like to hear...once again rookie forward Brendan Connolly scored a goal for the Jackals, his fourth of the season, a season for him which consists of 3 games. Keep it up Brendan! The Devils opened the scoring in the first on a goal by Jeff Prough from Radoslovich and Castonguay at 11:59 and that's how the period would end. The second stanza belonged to Elmira as Pierre Luc Faubert buried a rebound to tie the game at 1-1 at 2:37. Connolly then tallied his 4th of the year from Derek Couture at the 15:08 mark giving Elmira a 2-1 lead heading to the third. Steve Yetman netted the game winner on a beautiful feed to give the Jackals a 3-1 lead. Trenton would come back with the extra attacker to make it a 3-2 game at 18:44 on a goal by Jeff Prough but that would be it. Chris Korchinski put home an apparent empty netter but time had run out according to the officials.
Michael Teslak made 26 saves on 28 shots none of which was bigger than his stop on Eric Castonguay's 2 on none breakaway in the second period which brought the First Arena crowd to it's feet in appreciation.
Chaz Johnson and Myles Stoesz dropped the gloves for a classic hockey fight in the second period.
The win gives the Jackals a three way tie for first place in the Northern Division with Cincinnati and Wheeling at 73 points. Johnstown and Trenton are tied for second at 72 points. The Jackals have three games this weekend against Johnstown with 6 precious points up for grabs. Friday and Saturday the Jackals host the Chiefs and Sunday the two teams play in Johnstown.
Above: Steve Yetman reacts to his third period goal which proved to be the game winner for Elmira. Click here to view more photos from this game.
March 14 - For the second straight night rookie forward Brendan Connolly opened the scoring for the Jackals as he tallies goals in each of his first two pro games. Assisting on Connolly's goal were Switzer and Couture. Connolly was not finished as he netted his second of the game and third of his career early in the second from Yellow Horn and McIlveen. After a huge melee occurred in the second which saw Lepine, Betts and Sgroi all get game misconducts the Bombers tied the game on the ensuing power play and the second period would end knotted at 2-2. Derek Couture would put the Jackals on top to stay as he scored on a breakaway at the 8:36 mark of the third and Craig Switzer would add an insurance goal at 13:04.
The Jackals are in a 4 way tie for second place with Johnstown, Cincinnati and Wheeling at 71 points with the Trenton Devils leading the division with 72 points following their 3-1 win over Reading. Elmira returns to home ice on St. Patrick's day Tuesday to take on the Trenton Devils. Let's fill the barn for that one.
March 13 - The Jackals take the first of two against Dayton tonight 3-0. Michael Teslak earned the shutout in net for Elmira and newly acquired rookie Brendan Connolly netted his first pro goal to get Elmira on the scoreboard early in the second period. Forward Derek Couture scored the other two goals for Elmira while Colton Yellow Horn chipped in three assists. The Jackals and Bombers meet again Saturday night from Dayton.
March 8 - The Jackals let a 4-2 third period lead slip away as they fell to rival Johnstown 5-4.
Above: Pierre Luc Faubert scores a shorthanded goal on the breakaway to give the Jackals 3-2 lead at the time. Johnstown would come back and win the game 5-4 in regulation. Click here to view more photos from this game.
March 7 - Tonight's game vs. Dayton was postponed due to dangerous ice conditions.
March 6 - The Jackals came up short tonight losing to Dayton 6-3 in a game that was 3-3 until the 18:00 minute mark of the third period. The Jackals are now in a three way tie for second two points behind Cincinnati.
Above: Steve Yetman scores his second goal of the game in the second period. Click here to view more photos from this game.
March 4 - The Jackals took the first of 3 this week over the Dayton Bombers 5-2. Mike Sgroi and Colton Yellow Horn had two goals each and Paul McIlveen added another.
Above: Mike Sgroi celebrates the first of his two goals early in the first period to get the Jackals rolling. Click here to view more photos from this game.
February 28 - The Jackals lost to the Cyclones 4-2. The good news is Trenton and Johnstown also lost. Elmira returns to home ice Wed. to take on the Dayton Bombers in the first of a three game set for the weekend.
February 27 - The Jackals defeat first place Cincinnati 4-1 to climb within 2 points of the Cyclones. Tomorrow the Jackals can force a tie for the top spot with another win over Cincy.
Above: Michael Teslak was stellar in goal tonight vs. Cincinnati and was named third star of the game.
February 25 - Jackals win on the road 6-5 over the Dayton Bombers.
February 22 - Today the Jackals fell behind 6-2 in the first period and could never quite climb back into the game losing by a final of 7-4.
Click here to view more photos from this game.
February 21 - It was not easy but the Jackals earned 2 points with a thrilling come from behind Overtime Victory over Johnstown 5-4
Above: Moises Gutierrez reacts to Nathan Lutz overtime game winning goal as the Jackals defeated the Chiefs 5-4 in the extra session. Click here to view more photos from tonight's game.
February 14 - The Jackals lost to the Reading Royals 4-1 tonight in front of 3,673 fans at First Arena.
Above: Chris Korchinski sets up in front of Reading goalie James Reimer. Defending on the play is Steve Ward #26. Click here to view more photos from this game.
February 13 - The Jackals fell to the Trenton Devils in OT 4-3. The Jackals wore special jerseys which were auctioned off for charity. We think the special jerseys would make an excellent third jersey for the Jackals and would encourage management to look into this for next season.
Above: Pierre Luc Faubert scores in the shootout for Elmira but the Devils prevailed to win 4-3. Click here to view more photos from this game.
February 2 - Today the Jackals announced they have acquired forward Mike Sgroi. click
January 27 - The Jackals went into Dayton with a chance to move up to a playoff spot with a victory over the Bombers. Mission accomplished as they won 4-2. Tonight they can take over sole possession of second place in the division with a win over the Cincinnati Cyclones and a Johnstown loss to Mississippi.
January 14 - Jackals bounce back with 6-3 win over the Dayton Bombers.
Above: Paul Mcllveen's shot early in the second
period gets through the pads of Dayton goaltender Paul Drew. The
Jackals would go on to defeat the Bombers 6-3.
Click here for more photos from
the Jackals win over Dayton.
December 26 - Jackals defeat Chiefs 2-0
Above: David Shantz leads the Jackals to victory over the Johnstown Chiefs with a shutout. Click here to view more photos from this game.
December 6 - Jackals win 3-2
Above: Trenton goalie Jason Smith denies Benoit Doucet on the doorstep in the second period. The Jackals fell behind in the game 2-0 before mounting a comeback with goals from Steve Yetman, Benoit Doucet and Josh Aspinlind. Mitch O'Keefe got the win in net. More photos to come.
December 5 - The Jackals win a physical battle over the Reading Royals 6-3.
Click
here or the photo above to view more photos from this game
November 28 - The Jackals earned a point tonight while loosing to the Cyclones 4-3 in a shootout
Above: Ryan Gibbons digs for a loose puck during second period action. Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from this game.
November 22 - The Jackals continue to win on the road this time defeating the Reading Royals 5-1.
Above: Pierre Luc Faubert just tucked home a loose puck to give the Jackals 4-0 lead at 6:35 of the second period. Click here or the photo above to view more photos from this game.
November 21 - Steve Yetman scored the only goal for Elmira but that was all they would need as they defeated Trenton 1-0 behind the superb net minding of Mitch O'Keefe.
Above: Mitch O'Keefe makes a save during his shutout 1-0 win over Trenton. Click here or the photo above to view more photos from this game.
November 15 - Tonight the Jackals ran into a very hot goalie in Wheeling's David Brown. Steve Yetman netted Elmira's only goal on a first period penalty shot.
Above: David Brown led the Nailers to the win over Elmira tonight. Click the photo or here to view more photos from this game.
November 14 - If you missed tonight's game, shame on you! The Jackals won a see saw battle with the Cincinnati Cyclones 7-6 on the strength of Steve Yetman's hat trick!
Above: Steve Yetman's third period shot tickles the twine for his second goal of the game off a beautiful drop pass from Tyler Donati. Yetman would go on to net the hat trick giving the Jackals a 7-6 lead and the win over Cincinnati. Click here or the photo above to view more photos from this game
November 11 - The Jackals honored all US Veterans at tonight's game but the Royals spoiled the evening when they came from behind to beat the Jackals 3-2 in a shootout.
Above: We all know the sport we love is a game of inches. With the score tied 2-2 in the third period the Jackals missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Steve Yetman couldn't quite get a handle on this bouncing puck and bury it in the wide open net. The Jackals will try to get back to their winning ways Friday when they take on the defending champion Cincinnati Cyclones at First Arena. Click here or the photo above for more photos from this game.
November 1 - The Jackals defeated the Trenton Devils tonight 4-3 in a shootout
Above: Watson and Harrison dropped the gloves in this game and gave us a very entertaining heavyweight tilt. Click here or the photo above to view more photos from this game.
October 31 - The Jackals got revenge on the Steelheads tonight with a 3-2 OT win. Wes Cunningham scored the game winner in the extra session.
Above: Wes Cunningham is mobbed by his teammates after he tallied the game winning goal in OT. Click here or the photo above to view more photos from this game.
October 29 - The Jackals lost to the Idaho Steelheads tonight by a score of 4-3.
Above: Moises Gutierrez puts Elmira on the board early on a nice feed from Benoit Doucet. Click here or the photo to view more photos from this game.
October 25 - The Jackals fell to the Augusta Lynx 5-3 tonight.
Click here or the photo above to view photos from this game.
October 24 - The Jackals defeated the Augusta Lynx 4-3 in overtime on the strength of Wes Cunningham's first career pro goal and another 4 point night from the ECHL's leading scorer Tyler Donati.
Above: Wes Cunningham #41 is about to unleash a twisted wrister which would win the game for Elmira 4-3 in OT. Click here for more photos from this game.
October 19 - Jackals win first road game of year 3-2 over Trenton.
Above: Kaleb Betts scores to put Elmira up 2-1 in the third period. Moments later...
...Steve Yetmen's goal put Elmira up 3-1. Trenton would score on the PP with the goalie pulled to close the gap to 3-2 but it was not enough as the Jackals held on to take the road win. Click here or either photo to view a complete gallery from this game.
Jackals win season opener 5-2 over Reading!
Above: Tyler Donati puts the finishing touches on a 5 point night by burying this empty net goal late in the third period. Tyler racked up 2 goals and 3 assists on the night as the Jackals defeated the Reading Royals 5-2 to open the season. click here to view more photos from this game
October 11, preseason game vs. Trenton
Above: #18 Josh Aspenlind is not afraid to play the body to force a turnover as you will see in this game's gallery. Click here to view photos from this 5-4 OT loss to Trenton
October 10, preseason game vs. Trenton
Above: Pierre-Luc Faubert returned from Binghamton and made his first preseason appearance of the season for the Jackals. Trenton won the game 5-4 in a shootout. Click for more photos from this game.
October 9, Jackals first preseason game
Above: Last year's leading scorer Benoit Doucet scored the only goal for Elmira in a 2-1 loss to the Reading Royals at First Arena. Click here to view more photos from this first preseason game.
Training camp Day 2 October 4th
Above: Kaleb Betts plays the puck during drills during day two of Jackals Camp Saturday. Click to view image gallery from day two at Jackals Camp
Training camp opened today October 3rd
The Jackals officially opened training camp today at First Arena on the practice rink while Event rink ice is given a chance to completely cure. Above players pause to listen to instruction from head coach Steve Martinson between drills. Click to view image gallery of day one at camp.
Let There Be Ice!
September 30 - Today arena staff began the process of laying down the ice surface on the Event Arena floor. Click to see more photos from today's process.
8 Jackals players suit up for the BSens and take on the WBS Pens in preseason game.
L to R: Chris St. Croix, Benoit Doucet, Brett Pilkington, Kaleb Betts
Pierre-Luc Faubert, Guillaume Lepine, Mike Gauthier and Moisis Gutierrez
The SWB Pens won the game 2-1 but Doucet scored the only goal for Binghamton with an assist from Kaleb Betts.
Ryan Gibbons, Gord Burnett and Ryan Palmer and Slavomir Tomko are the latest additions to the Jackals roster. JACKALS RELEASE
The Jackals roster continues to expand! Four more players were added today including three forwards and a defenseman. JACKALS RELEASE
Above: (Left) Forward Moises Gutierrez, shown here playing for the Texas Wildcatters, and Topher Scott are two of the four players added to the Jackals lineup today.
The Jackals add four more players to the training camp roster including defenseman Chris St. Croix and forwards Tyler Hirsch, Steve Yetman and Josh Aspendlind. JACKALS RELEASE
Above: Tyler Hirsch is one of the four players added to the Jackals roster today.
Jackals sign four more players including returning Jackal Brett Pilkington. Also signed are Mike Gaulthier, Rob McVicar and Kevin Desfosses JACKALS RELEASE
Above: Brett Pilkkington
Jackals trade Elgin Reid to the Wheeling Nailers for the rights to Steve McJannet NAILERS RELEASE
Jackals sign Robin Big Snake and Kaleb Betts for upcoming season. ECHL NEWS JACKALS RELEASE
Jackals announce affiliation with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL for upcoming season.
08-09 Jackals Team Slogan
"Feel The Bite!"
The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have signed an affiliation agreement with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL for the 08-09 season. B-Sens Executive Vice President of Operations, Tom Mitchell was on hand with Jackals and First Arena GM Robbie Nichols to make the announcement of the two teams working relationship for the upcoming season. This move makes total sense and will afford Twin Tiers Hockey Fans a unique opportunity to follow the careers of each clubs stars. How sweet it will be to spin over to Binghamton and catch a game if a Jackal player gets called up. Plus, Sens fans may wish to catch a Jackals game or two to see how things are going down on the "Farm". Press Release
Get used to seeing this on many Jackals media including season schedules and the web site. "Feel The Bite!" was announced as the 08-09 Jackals slogan. Can YOU feel it?
Also announced tonight are the first three players signed by the Jackals for the 08-09 season. Returning to the Jackals are second year scoring tandem Benoit Doucet and Pierre Luc Faubert. Joining that dynamic duo is defenseman Brandon Roach. Many more players will be announced in the coming weeks so stay tuned.
The Jackals also announced the replacement for Grady Whittenburg. Nick Hulburg has been hired to handle the play by play duties behind the Jackals mic. Nick joins the ranks of Tom Callahan, Owen Newkirk, and Grady Whittenburg as the play by play men of the Elmira Jackals. Read press release.
The Jackals will play three preseason games this year at First Arena. On October 9th the Jackals will host heated rival the Reading Royals. Then on October 10th and 11th the Trenton Devils will be in town for two preseason games. Tickets for all three preseason games are included with all Jackals Season Ticket packages. Don't Delay, get your season tickets today!
It has been confirmed! The Jackals WILL host a Pro Placement Camp this Summer. On August 29, 30 and 31 hopeful prospects will compete for an invite to Jackals training camp in October. I hope to see many of my friends again at this camp. It's always been a fun way to cool down in the dog days of late summer.
Many concerts for First Arena were also announced tonight including a December 13th Christmas Concert by Vince Gill and Amy Grant! I will get more details and post them here in the coming days.
Click to view more photos from the press conference.
08-09 Jackals Schedule released
Jackals to open season at home on October 17 vs. division rival Reading Royals. The Jackals will see three new opponents invade First Arena next season for the first time including the Augusta Lynx, Florida Everblades and the Idaho Steelheads. I have posted the complete Jackals 08-09 schedule here reflecting several schedule changes.
Like you, I am anxiously awaiting roster announcements for the upcoming season. I will post the 08-09 Jackals roster here as soon as players are officially signed. Have you purchased your season tickets yet?