Chiefs Blank Jackals

January 9, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


ELMIRA, Ny. - The Johnstown Chiefs were held to just 15 shots on Friday night in Elmira, but one was all they needed as they shut out the Jackals in a 3-0 victory.

Johnstown's offense never had much of a chance to get on track in the first period as Greg Gallagher took an inadvertent high sticking double minor just 13 seconds into the game. Ian Keserich came out of the gate strong, though, and made five saves in the lengthy shorthanded situation. In all, Keserich made 11 saves in the first period, and the Chiefs killed all three of Elmira's power play chances.

The Jackals' defense continued to limit the Chiefs' scoring opportunities in the second period. Even though there weren't many chances, Johnstown made sure to cash in on its best chance of the game. Skating shorthanded, all-star defenseman Jon Landry stole a pass from Brandon Roach at center ice and led the offensive charge. Jarrett Konkle joined the rush, took a drop pass from Landry, and wristed into a wide open net past David Shantz. Konkle's goal ended a 95-minute and 52-second shutout streak by Shantz against the Chiefs at First Arena. Elmira had two 2-on-1 shorthanded chances at the end of the second, but Keserich came up big with saves on Pierre-Luc Faubert and Chris Korchinski.

Konkle's "shorty" in the second period turned out to be the game winning goal because Keserich came through with 15 saves in the third period to complete the Chiefs' first shutout of the season. Sean Berkstresser would score an empty net goal with about 13 seconds remaining and then assisted on an empty netter by Ryan Del Monte with four seconds left.

Keserich turned aside 38 shots in picking up his seventh win of the season while the Chiefs' power play was held scoreless in three chances for the third game in a row.



ECHL Stories from January 9, 2009


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