Trenton Devils Fall to the Elmira Jackals 4-1 in ECHL Action
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 12:56AM Riding the momentum of Friday's win over Johnstown, and points in each of the last three games, the Devils sought to score their first road goal of the season and break the six game winning streak of the conference leading Jackals. They did avoid their second road shutout in as many games, thanks to Justin Pender's outside shot in the later stages of the third period, however, it was too little and too late to slow the strongest club in the East Division.
The Devils again struggled on the power play, squandering nine extra-man chances, even allowing a short handed goal in the third period to Justin Donati. Though the Jackals also were held scoreless on the power play, they did score two even strength goals in the second period.
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After a scoreless first period in which the Devils were outshot 11 to 4, the Jackals crashed the net early in the second and Justin Donati netted his fourth goal of the season just 48 second into the period, with brother Justin and Chanse Fitzpatrick assisting. Elmira took a 2-0 lead about four minutes later when Fitzpatrick, who would be named the game's first star, scored his first of two on the night, on a rush with Travis Gawryletz and Tyler Donati. The Devils have now allowed 15 goals in second periods out of 24 total goals-against.
The game devolved in the second when 13 infractions were assessed at the 11:15 mark of the period. An altercation between the Devils' Myles Stoesz and the Jackals' Olivier Proulxescalated into a fight between Stoesz and Chaz Johnson, plus another battle between Dan Eves of the Devils and Brett Gallant of the Jackals. Stoesz, Johnson, Eves and Gallant each were issued game misconduct penalties. The sum of the penalties led to a two minute power play for Elmira.
Scoring did not continue until the third period when Justin Donati scored the shorthanded goal with an assist from Mat Robinson on a two-on-one breakaway at 6:12. Pender notched his unassisted goal at 13:56 and Fitzpatrcik tallied his second of the game at 15:11, his seventh goal of the year, to complete the 4-1 Elmira victory.
Lost in the outcome was a strong performance from goalie Dave Caruso who made more spectacular saves than his counterpart Chris Holt. Caruso again showed off his reflexes and his great right pad shifting across the crease to quell numerous chances for Elmira. Holt also managed to stifle the Devils and their 26 shots, becoming more and more impressive later in the game, frequently managing to stop the puck despite Devils jamming up the crease. Despite losing the shutout, Holt got his fourth win of the season and was named the game's second star.
The Devils again visit the Elmira Jackals next Friday, November 6 at 7:35. Join Dan D'Uva for all the play-by-play at TrentonDevils.com, courtesy B2 Networks.
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Melissa Martinez | Comments Off | 





