ELMIRA , New York – Artem Demkov potted the game winning goal just 39 seconds into overtime as the Elmira Jackals (5-1-0-0) snuck past the Cincinnati Cyclones (3-0-2-0) by a 3-2 final score in front of 2,514 at First Arena on Saturday night.
For the second straight night, the Jackals were able to draw first blood. At 8:36 of the first period, Jordan Pietrus redirected a Rob Bellamy shot through the legs of Cyclones goalie Brian Foster (OTL, 29 saves, 3-0-2-0) for a 1-0 Elmira lead. After Jonathan Hazen was given a major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding, the top-rated Jackals power play looked to extend their lead. However, it was Cincinnati who ultimately benefited as Dan Eves rushed up the ice shorthanded and blasted a shot onto the Elmira net. After Maxime Clermont (OTW, 31 saves, 1-0-0-0) left a big rebound in front, Charles-Olivier Roussel crashed the cage and swatted home his first pro goal at 19:15, knotting the score at one through 20 minutes.
The middle stanza was an offensive stalemate until the 17:17 mark when Elmira capitalized on their third power play of the night; after a mad scramble in front of the Cincinnati net, Jackals rookie Danny New blasted in his first pro goal to push his team ahead 2-1 after two periods.
As they have been doing all season, the Cyclones were able to enjoy some late offense. After a flurry of chances, David Pacan found himself unguarded in front of the Jackals net and tipped home a David MacDonald point shot to even the score again, this time at two. Unfortunately, inside the final 1:18 of regulation, Francois Bouchard was whistled for a holding penalty – sending Elmira to its fourth power play of the night. While they couldn’t score in regulation, they made Cincinnati pay in overtime. Just 39 seconds into the extra session, Jordan Southorn fed Aretem Demkov in the slot and he deposited the game winning goal to give the Jackals a 3-2 victory.
Cincinnati finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Elmira converted on 2-of-4. Despite the loss, Cincinnati keeps its regulation unbeaten streak alive, which now stands at five games.
The Cyclones Radio Network Stars of the Game are as follows:
First Star: Artem Demkov (Game winning goal, 1 assist for Elmira) Second Star: Maxime Clermont (Winning goaltender, 31 saves) Third Star: Danny New (First pro goal for Elmira)
With the road trip behind them, the Cyclones will return to the ice at U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday, October 31st as they welcome in the Kalamazoo Wings to U.S. Bank Arena for the first time this season.
