Enforcers Claim Victory Over Wolves
By Jonathan Kliment
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Enforcers looked to close out the home portion of their season series with the Watertown Wolves with a victory on Sunday afternoon. They did just that with a decisive 5-2 victory in front of 2,509 fans to move closer to home ice advantage in the Commissioner's Cup Playoffs.
The first period saw Elmira come out with a passion they had shown the night before, as they found the back of the net three times against Jared Rutledge. Marko Novosel started the scoring on a beauty of a pass from Gavin Yates at 3:27. Sean Reynolds ripped one by Rutledge just a little over a minute later as he popped one right over the shoulder of the netminder. Yates had a goal of his own at 13:44 on a full circle drop from Reynolds to bury it and give the Enforcers a 3-0 lead at intermission.
Watertown came out strong in the second and scored on the power play when Tyler Gjurich banked one by Troy Passingham at 9:00 in. Mitch Atkins answered back just two seconds shy of the 12:00 mark to give Elmira their three goal lead back. The period saw Watertown get back into the game with shots, but were unable to get by Passingham again.
The Wolves came out in the third needing a lot of help, and began the period on a power play for an excellent opportunity. However, the Wolves' only goal in the frame came while shorthanded as former Enforcer Sam Williams put one past Passingham to bring the Wolves within two at 8:50. The Enforcers answered back one last time when Dmytro Babenko scorched by two defenders and put one up and over Rutledge to secure the Enforcers win, 5-2.
Troy Passingham stopped 41 of 43 shots to help the Enforcers to their sixth regulation win over the Wolves.
The Enforcers play are back in action on Wednesday when the Danville Dashers come to First Arena for the final time this season at 7:05 PM. All fans in attendance will receive free Thunderstix. Call (607) 734-PUCK (7825) and get your tickets now.