READING, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs saw their record climb ever closer to.500 with a 4-2 win on Sunday evening against the Reading Royals at the Sovereign Center.The win improved the Chiefs to 7-9-3 on the season.
With the Chiefs and Royals both playing their fourth game in five days the first period got off to a bit of a slow start. But once things got on track, the Chiefs' offense kicked it into high gear. Troy Schwab took a nifty pass in the slot from Ryan Menei and was able to snap a one-timer past Matt Dalton 9:12 into the game. One minute and 55 seconds later Dan Collins redirected Russ Sinkewich's point shot to put the Chiefs ahead by two, and Menei followed on with his third goal of the season 24 seconds later with assists going to Connor Shields and Greg Gallagher. Reading's Greg Scott put the home team on the board at the 18:49 mark of the first as he slammed a rebound past Kris Mayotte.
Trying to erase the Chiefs' two-goal lead, the Royals sent an onslaught of shots Mayotte's way in the second period. With Reading on the power play Ben Gordon was able to fire a one-timer past Mayotte for his 10th of the season at the 5:39 mark. The pressure on the Chiefs stayed consistent throughout the period as the Royals launched 17 shots total, but none more would find their way into the net. Then with the clock ticking close to the second intermission, Menei earned his third point of the night with a strong individual effort to set up Greg Gallagher's third of the season. Carrying the puck through center, Menei circled the Royals' net to elude the oncoming defenders. As he turned the corner on the left wing he fed the pass back to the point where Gallagher let loose with a wicked snap shot that found the back of the net with 2:06 left in the second.
In the third period the Chiefs clamped down hard defensively and put the brakes on Reading's offense. After registering 36 through the first two periods, Reading could only manage seven shots in the third and was unable to put one behind Mayotte.
The Chiefs' win snapped a three-game losing streak at the Sovereign Center, and gave them a four-game winning streak against the Royals overall.
Mayotte picked up his fifth win of the season by making 41 saves. The Chiefs' power play was held without a goal for the first time in 11 games as it went 0-for-2 while the penalty kill was 2-for-3.
Mark your Calanders! The Chiefs return to Johnstown Wednesday, December 2 against the Wheeling Nailers at 7:05. It is our second Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack of the season. For 44 dollars families of four get four tickets, four hotdogs, four drinks, four boxes of popcorn. To order your package call the Chiefs at 814-539-1799 today. Good seats still remain for individual tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-Ticketmaster.
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