Chiefs Clipped By Wings

Published on February 13, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


KALAMAZOO, Mi. - The Johnstown Chiefs fought hard to extend their road winning streak in Kalamazoo on Friday night, but fell to the Wings by a 5-4 count.

Early on the Wings showed why they hadn't lost a home game since December 31, 2009 as they opened the scoring 7:16 into the contest. With the Chiefs unable to clear the puck up the near wall, Andrew Fournier fed it to Mitch Versteeg in the slot. Versteeg was unable to beat Kris Mayotte to the blocker side, but Patrick Asselin pounced on the rebound and sent home his fourth goal of the season. Later, with the Wings on the power play Connor Shields took off on a breakaway, but was hauled down from behind. The Chiefs' rookie was awarded the penalty shot, but could not solve former Chief Ryan Nie, at least not yet. Shields' 21st of the season evened the score at one with 14:14 gone by, and just 50 seconds later a Trevor Hendrikx power play goal put the Chiefs up 2-1. Shields assisted along with Jordan Morrison, who made his Chiefs debut.

Penalty trouble early in the second period landed the Chiefs in hot water and they surrendered the lead they held at the end of the first. Just as a 4-on-4 situation was expiring, Darryl Lloyd lifted a wrist shot past Mayotte's blocker and tied the score at two with 6:56 gone by in the frame. Jeff Martens' interference minor at 7:28 put Kalamazoo back on the power play and the Wings responded with Trent Daavettila's 12th of the year at 8:03. The Wings, though, gave momentum back to Johnstown when Lloyd was given a match penalty, which carried a five-minute power play with it, for slew footing at 16:17. While on the power play, Chanse Fitzpatrick was taken out with a hard check that set off a fight between Connor Shields and Versteeg. The fight energized the Chiefs' bench, but they couldn't score on the power play time in the second leaving 1:17 in the third with which to work.

The Wings' power play struck again in the third period and gave them their first two-goal lead of the evening. Looking to center a pass out of the near circle, Dean Strong had the puck click off of a skate and past Mayotte for his third goal of the season at 3:53. Not backing down Shields netted his second of the night as he was falling down. Sinkewich picked up the primary assist and earned his first multi-point game as a pro. Johnstown spent the rest of the period searching for the tying goal, but came up empty. Daavettila hit the empty net with eight seconds left to play for what turned out, actually, to be the game winner. Mike Couch scored his first of the season with just over a second left to play as he whistled a 70-foot slap shot past Nie. Unfortunately there wasn't enough time to duplicate the effort.

Mayotte took the loss in net as he turned in 29 saves. The Chiefs went 1-for-6 on the power play and 4-for-7 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs return to Johnstown on Sunday, February 14 against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. The Chiefs will holding a coloring contest for kids in attendance sponsored by BIC. Kids can pick up the drawings at the Chiefs' information table and color them at the game. The best judged coloring will get a great Chiefs prize. Good seats still remain and for individual tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 1-745-3000.

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ECHL Stories from February 13, 2010


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