Chiefs diffuse Bombers

January 17, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs took sole possession of second place in the North Division as they pulled ahead of the Bombers on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Johnstown nearly equaled its shot output from the previous night's game in first period by out-shooting Dayton 13-11. But outstanding goaltending by all-star Kris Mayotte and his counterpart Tyler Plante kept both teams off the scoreboard. Mayotte made an outstanding glove save on Dayton's Mike Looby which gave the Chiefs some momentum going into the second period.

The Chiefs offense finally broke through late in the second as Sean Berkstresser's seventh goal of the season put them on the board. Berkstresser capitalized on a rebound at the side of the net off of his own shot from along the goal line. Just 58 seconds later, Mike Sgroi joined the scoring rush as a result of an impressive fake-shot-no-look-behind-the-back-between-the-legs assist from Petr Pohl. Pohl's helper was his 19th of the season and came in his first game with Johnstown in nearly a month.

With the Chiefs leading by two in the final period Dayton's Ryan Smith scored a shorthanded goal at 5:16. The Chiefs had to fight to hang onto their lead as Kyle Bushee was whistled for holding with just 1:20 left. Dayton pulled Plante for the extra attacker on the ensuing faceoff and with 29 seconds left a scramble in front of the goal dislodged the net right as a Dayton's Tomas Zaborsky slipped a shot past Mayotte. The goal was waved off, though, and Johnstown snapped its three-game losing streak.

Mayotte turned aside 29 of 30 shots on goal as he picked up his 15th win of the season while the Chiefs went 0-for-6 on the power play.

Mark your calendars, the Chiefs are back on home ice on Saturday, January 23 and will be hosting the first place Wheeling Nailers. That game is the annual AmeriServ Customer Appreciation Night and seats are going quickly! Act quickly and be sure to get your seat calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.



ECHL Stories from January 17, 2009


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