NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Chiefs take bite out of Jackals

March 20, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


ELMIRA, Ny. - The Johnstown Chiefs and Elmira Jackals played a thrilling playoff-style game on Friday night and the Chiefs emerged victorious with a 3-2 win via the shootout.

Johnstown's record improved to 35-25-4, which places the team in second place in the North Division, and one behind the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Three of the previous four games between Johnstown and Elmira in Elmira had resulted in a shutout for one of the teams. Any chance of that on Friday was quickly put to rest as the teams traded goals before the first period was seven minutes old. Steve Yetman opened the scoring at 5:26 when he beat Ian Keserich with a backhand shot on a breakaway. It was a former Jackal, though, that tied the game for Johnstown at 6:32. Trevor Hendrikx was set up in the high slot by Andrew Sarauer and Toby LaFrance, and he wasted no time in firing a wrist shot past Michael Teslak for his eighth goal of the season. Keserich kept it tied at one with a huge save on a penalty shot awarded to Chaz Johnson at 16:11 of the first period. Ryan Garlock then gave Johnstown the 2-1 lead heading into the locker room by redirecting a David Schulz point shot for his ninth goal of the season. Andy Contois added the secondary assist.

The second period was much more similar to the previous engagements between the Chiefs and Jackals at First Arena. Neither team was able to find the back of the net, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. Keserich and Teslak each turned in 14 saves in the middle frame. Keserich might have made his best of the night with less than five minutes remaining. A deflected shot from the left wing was laying on the doorstep with Johnson closing in and looking at an open net. Keserich, though, rolled on his side and gloved the shot out of mid-air.

Johnstown was dealt a dose of bad luck midway through the third period. Amidst a scramble in front of the Chiefs' net Hendrikx was knocked off his skates in the goaltender's crease. As Keserich tried to cover the puck, it was ruled that Hendrikx did and Elmira was awarded its second penalty shot of the game. Kris Korchinski converted on that attempt and would send the game to overtime. Johnstown had 1:30 to work with on the power play to start the extra frame, and Elmira had 41 seconds of a man advantage at the end, but neither team could cash in. A nerve-wracking shootout followed. Ian Keserich would go five-for-five in his first shootout of the season, and Sarauer would score the only goal to give the Chiefs their second win of the season at First Arena.

Keserich ended the night with 41 saves in picking up his twelfth win of the season. Johnstown's power play went 0-for-8 on the evening.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Sunday, March 22 when they host the Elmira Jackals at 2:35. Atlantic Broadband is sponsoring a kids' pack giveaway and we'll be having our final post-game skate with the Chiefs of the season.. Good seats are available, but going quickly! Act fast and be sure to get yours by calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from March 20, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Johnstown Chiefs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central