Chiefs 4-goal Comeback Clinches Playoff Berth

March 11, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


The Johnstown Chiefs clinched a playoff berth by virtue of their 6-5 overtime loss at home against Wheeling. However, in the circus atmosphere that surrounded the contest, the Chiefs also learned more about themselves as they rallied for three third period goals to force overtime.

The Chiefs trailed 5-1 late in the 2nd period, when Dmitri Tarabrin buried a John Toffey rebound to close the gap to three.

From the point, Doug Andress blasted a shot past Nailer goalie, Andy Franck, three minutes into the final period, to close the gap to two.

Adam Henrich was incensed when he was whistled for a roughing call, one minute later. After the Chiefs killed the penalty, Henrich raced from the box and intercepted a Nailer pass at center. Henrich deked one defender, and then skated to the slot where he beat Andy Franck with a top shelf wrister, closing the gap to one with thirteen minutes to play.

Henrich also thought he and Randy Rowe had tied the game a minute later, when Henrich fed Rowe in the slot, who beat Franck. However, referee Tyler Johnson whistled Henrich for goaltender interference-nullifying the goal.

The Chiefs would apply heavy pressure to the Nailers for the next 12 minutes, but were not able to score. A final minute flurry, forced Nailer d-man, Luis Tremblay to knock the net from its moorings with 47 seconds remaining. A Penalty Shot was awarded.

Justin Kelly deked to the forehand, putting it past a sprawled Franck for the tying goal. Kelly lept in celebration, as he was greeted by at least a half dozen teammates.

The overtime period was dominated by the Chiefs, but a defensive miscue with a minute remaining allowed Nailer sniper Sean Collins a short break-away. Collins went to the backhand beating Chiefs goalie Mike Betz for the winner.

Betz started the game, but was blitzed for four goals in the first frame. He was lifted at the start of the second period for Morgan Cey, who was forced to leave with an injury, midway through the second period.

The Chiefs racked up 21 minutes in penalties, as both teams took many more liberties than were whistled.

The Chiefs 2005-06 season continues tomorrow as the Chiefs host the Reading Royals. It is Heluva good Quality Food Kids Day-all kids tickets are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Face-off is 3pm.



ECHL Stories from March 11, 2006


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