ELMIRA, NY – The Elmira Jackals moved one game closer to a series win and erasing last season’s heartbreak of losing in the first round. Behind another stellar effort from goalie Michael Teslak, the Jackals beat the Trenton Devils 3-1 to take a three games to one lead in their North Division semi final series.
Trenton coach Rick Kowalsky decided to shake things up in goal for game 4 by sitting Gerald Coleman and starting rookie Jeff Frazee, who started the season with Trenton but moved up to Lowell as a result of the injury to New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur. As they had done in the first three games, the Jackals got the game’s first goal. Brandon Roach, for the second straight game, gave the Jackals the early 1-0 lead while Trenton was killing off a penalty to defenseman Mike Wilson. Brendan Connolly put one past Frazee 7:31 into the second period to give the Jackals a 2-0 and it looked as if they would be cruising to victory behind their hot goaltender.
The Devils finally got on the scoreboard 3:33 into the third period on a score from Jim Henkel. This was the first Trenton goal since Matt Radoslovich scored 10:43 into the third period of Game 2 and was the first goal given up by Teslak since Tony Zancanaro’s score with 9:08 left to play in the third period of Game 1. Teslak would shut the Devils out the remainder of regulation, as well as the 66 minutes of overtime played that night before coming back to shut out the Devils in Game 3. The Devils were back in the game but despite outshooting Elmira 11-7 in the period, and 27-25 for the game, could not get the equalizer past Teslak. Pierre-Luc Faubert scored an empty netter with 19 seconds to play to ice the game and send the Jackals to Game 5 and the chance to clinch the series on home ice Saturday night.
For Trenton, it is definitely an uphill battle as twice they have trailed a series 3-1 and lost both times (2000 Northern Conference Finals vs. Peoria and 2001 Kelly Cup Finals vs. South Carolina). Though with a 5-6 record in elimination games the chance is there for The Devils to bring the series home for Game 6 on Sunday night.
Contact tom.hoffman@prohockeynews.com
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