Elmira Evens Series at with Big Win in Game 2

ESTERO, FLA – The Elmira Jackals used a six-goal third period to defeat the Florida Everblades 8-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Saturday night at Germain Arena.  The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1.

The ‘Blades and Jackals battled it out in a physical first period of play.  Mathieu Roy was able to score the first goal of the game. Roy fielded the puck on the left side of the net and pushed it between goaltender Ian Keserich’s skate, and the goal post to put Florida on top 1-0.  Roy’s goal went unanswered for the remainder of the first period.

Eight minutes into the second, Jackals Forward Andrew Rowe wristed the puck towards Deckert on the left side of the crease, the puck bounced right over Deckert’s arm and skipped into the net on the shortside. Rowe’s goal tied the game at 1-1.

Moments later, A.J. Jenks won a faceoff to Matthew Pistilli who took a shot from the top of the crease. Keserich tired to poke check the puck away, but it deflected back to Pistilli who shoved it into the net for the power play marker.

Late in the second, Florida’s Mike Ratchuk was called for closing the hand on the puck in crease, which resulted in a Jackals penalty shot. Louie Caporusso took the shot and beat Deckert low on the blocker side to tie the game at 2-2 after 40 minutes played. .

Elmira took its first lead in the series six minutes into the third period. Florida was on the power play and David Rutherford’s shot was blocked in the high slot. Elmira jumped on the puck and took off on a 2-on-0 shorthanded rush.  Rob Bellamy flipped the puck across the crease to Jordan Pietrus who buried a wrist shot past Deckert for the go ahead goal.

Pietrus scored again four minutes later on a wrist shot from the left wing circle that beat Deckert high on the glove side to extend the Jackals lead to two.

The Jackals continued their assault, and scored their fifth goal of the game as Deckert attempted to smother the puck in his glove to draw a whistle, but Chaz Johnson crashed the net and jostled the puck out of Deckert’s grip and steered it across the goaline to make it 5-2.

Elmira continued to roll in the game’s final four minutes, as Rowe and Johnson registered the second goals of the game, and an eighth goal scored by Matt Tassone to cap off the six-goal third period and seal the 8-2 win.

Keserich earns the win in his first playoff start stopping 31 out of 33 shots. Deckert takes the loss, only stopping 23 out of 31 shots.

The series now shifts First Arena in Elmira, New York for Game 3 on Wednesday. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m.

#4 Florida Everblades vs. #5 Elmira Jackals (Series tied 1-1)Game 1 – Friday, April 5:   Elmira  - 1  at  Florida – 5Game 2 – Saturday, April 6:  Elmira  - 8  at Florida – 2Game 3 – Wednesday, April 10 at 7:05 p.m. ET at ElmiraGame 4 – Friday, April 12 at 7:05 p.m. ET at ElmiraGame 5 – Saturday, April 13 at 7:05 p.m. ET at ElmiraGame 6 – Monday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)Game 7 – Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)Season ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are currently on sale. Call 239-948-7825 to speak to a sales representative about package options.

Ticket Information: The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com###