ELMIRA, N.Y. - February 10, 2013 - The Elmira Jackals capped
off a three game week with a 5-0 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday at
First Arena. Marc Cheverie set a new club record with his third shutout of the
season. The win improved Elmira's record to 25-19-4 on the season.
Prior to tonight the Jackals and Nailers had not met since New
Year's Eve in Wheeling, but with the rivalry renewed the Jackals made quick work
of grabbing an early advantage. Captain Jean Bourbeau scored his 15th of the
season 4:04 into the game to put Elmira in the driver's seat. Andrew Rowe set up
the goal by sending a shot off of the crossbar behind Wheeling goalie Scott
Darling. Bourbeau pounced on the rebound for the goal while the secondary assist
went to Louie Caporusso. The Jackals made several attempts to double the lead in
the first and totaled 14 shots against Darling, but the Wheeling netminder stood
his ground. Cheverie was tested with seven shots at the other end of the
ice.
Wheeling put up its biggest fight of the game in the second period
with 11 shots on Cheverie. The Jackals' netminder, who made his first start for
Elmira since January 11, was at his best when his team needed him and kept
Wheeling off of the score board. Early in the second Jordan Pietrus netted his
first shorthanded goal of the season, 10th overall, to extend the lead to 2-0.
Pietrus wasn't finished, though, because he added his second with a one-timer
from the left wing circle with 6:21 left in the stanza. Kevin Harvey and Steven
Kaunisto provided the assists and helped the Jackals take a three goal lead into
the third.
Elmira refused to let the Nailers build any momentum towards a
comeback and limited the them to seven shots in the frame. The Jackals,
meanwhile, launched 17 on Darling and picked up a pair for their efforts. After
narrowly missing a goal in the first, Rowe scored from right on the doorstep at
7:43 of the third with help from Matt Carter. The strike was Rowe's 18th and
pulled him within one of Caporusso for the team lead. Rob Bellamy finished the
onslaught on a breakaway for his seventh of the season to set the
final.
Cheverie stopped 25 shots to claim his 11th victory of the season.
Elmira was 0-for-4 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.
(By: Ray Schmitt - Elmira Jackals)
