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Chiefs Dethrone Royals

February 27, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - The Chiefs rallied late in the game, pulling out a 4-3 overtime win in come-from-behind fashion over the Reading Royals at the War Memorial Wednesday night.

Johnstown drew first, scoring a power play marker at 2:51 of the first. Alexandre Imbeault fed Ryan Garlock, who shoveled the puck into the Reading goal from the corner. The Royals answered 31 seconds later as Victor Uchevatov netted a goal at 3:22, assisted by Vladimir Dravecky and Ned Lukacevic. Lukacevic nearly notched a goal of his own midway through the period, as he fired a screamer at Chiefs goaltender Ryan Nie, but Nie made the stop. Reading took the lead at 16:33 of the period, with Dravecky scoring from Scott Parse and Shawn Collymore. The Chiefs were down 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.

Reading would maintain a stranglehold over play in the second. The Chiefs' offense failed to materialize, despite efforts from Rob Drummond and Mark Tobin. The Royals controlled the puck for the majority of the period and pulled further ahead with a Joe Zappala power play goal at 13:53. Patrick Jarrett and Dravecky added the helpers. Johnstown was down 3-1 after two.

The Chiefs would battle to overcome the two goal deficit in the third. Mike Knight found the back of the net at 13:13 with assists from Garlock and Randy Rowe. With Tyler Hirsch in the box for hooking, Rowe and Garlock broke for the net short-handed but couldn't find the twine. With less than a minute left on the clock, Rowe knotted the score at three apiece. With Nie off the ice, Rowe's goal would come on a two man advantage, assisted by Drummond and Hirsch at 19:04 of the third, sending the game into overtime.

Imbeault would end the game 1:58 into overtime. Mike Sgroi shot from the point, and Imbeault would hammer it home to give the Chiefs the win.

Ryan Nie earned the win in net for the Chiefs, stopping 22 of 25 shots, and the power play went 2-for-4.

The Chiefs' next home game is Friday, March 7 when they take on the Wheeling Nailers for Chiefs Key Chain Giveaway Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive Johnstown Chiefs key chains, compliments of Mazzei and Associates. If you can't make that one, be sure to come out Saturday, March 8, when the Chiefs face the Elmira Jackals for "Casino Night." 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!

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