Chiefs Chop Cyclones

March 22, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - With a roster plagued by call-ups and injuries, Johnstown battled Cincinnati short-handed at the War Memorial Friday night, defeating the Cyclones by a score of 4-3 in the shootout.

The Chiefs would get on the board with their first shot of the game, as Kenny Roche potted a goal at 1:47 of the first period. Roche hit the post and put his own rebound into the back of the net, with Codey Burki and Mark Tobin adding the helpers. Cincinnati would nearly tie it up on the power play when Scott Reynolds fired a shot that bounced off of Chiefs goaltender Ryan Nie, but the puck was sticked aside. The Cyclones would even the score at 11:46, as David Desharnais hammered home the rebound of Ryan Russell's shot from the top of the crease. The score remained deadlocked at 1-1 after one.

The Chiefs would find the score sheet again on their first shot of the second, as Tobin tallied a power play goal at 4:04, assisted by Roche and Greg Gallagher. Johnstown would end up on the wrong end of a two-minute 5-on-3 power play. With Tobin and Burkey both in the box, Jason Deitsch would go top shelf on Nie at 12:24. Descharnais and T.J. McElroy would add the assists. The Chiefs would answer with a power play marker of their own at 15:53. Andrew Martens went 5-hole on Cyclones net minder Cody Rudkowsky, with assists from Burki and Roche. Johnstown carried a 3-2 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes of play.

Cincinnati would bring the game to a 3-3 deadlock early in the third period, as Barret Ehgoetz tipped in a shot from Matthieu Aubin and McElroy at 4:28. Burki nearly gave the Chiefs the go-ahead goal late in the game, but Rudkowsky dove to make the save. Neither team would find the back of the net in the remainder of regulation.

Johnstown had several scoring chances in overtime but failed to net the game winner.

Randy Rowe would be the hero for the Chiefs, potting the only shootout goal in the fourth round of the contest. Nie stopped all five shooters, and kicked Olivier Latendresse's shot off his leg pad for the final save to notch the win for Johnstown.

Nie stopped 22 of 25 shots and earned his 25th win of the season, tying him with Freddy Deschenes and Stan Reddick for the franchise record for most wins in a single season.

Be sure to come out on Sunday, March 23, when the Wheeling Nailers come to town. Don't miss Easter festivities with the Chiefs, including an egg hunt. If you can't make that one, the Chiefs will play host to the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday, March 29, for the final Dodge Shootout of the season. A lucky fan will have one last chance to shoot a puck for a brand new Dodge vehicle. Great seats are still available for both games at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial. Call 536-5156 or visit www.johnstownchiefs.com to get yours today!



ECHL Stories from March 22, 2008


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