Chiefs Down Nailers In Preseason Action

Published on October 7, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Wheeling, Wv. - The Johnstown Chiefs opened their 2009 preseason with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday evening at WesBanco Arena.

The Chiefs came out on top after a very evenly played first period. Johnstown and Wheeling were equal in shots in the frame (7) and power play opportunities (3), but a Ryan Menei power play goal opened the scoring. On the rush through center, Matt Robinson fed the puck to Troy Schwab who left a drop pass for Menei on the right wing. Menei took a hard wrist shot that whistled over Jordan Alford's blocker and knocked the watter bottle completely off of the top of the net. The power play goal came at 12:59 of the first.

The Chiefs and Nailers have the longest standing rivalry in the ECHL, and not even the preseason could dampen the hostilities between the clubs. Chiefs' rookie Marc Rechlicz dropped the gloves with former Trenton Devil-turned-Nailer Thomas Harrison at 14:33 of the first. Both heavyweights landed some clean shots, but neither was able to score a takedown in a battle that lasted well over a minute.

Johnstown had to work extra hard to keep the Nailers off of the scoreboard in the second period because Wheeling outchanced the Chiefs 4-2 on the power play. In spite of the manpower disadvantage, Johnstown matched Wheeling shot-for-shot with six, but could not find a way to beat Alford. Chiefs goalies Jimmy Spratt and Shane Connelly each played half of the middle frame and were able to keep Wheeling's shooters at bay.

The Nailers finally broke through against Johnstown's defense at 2:44 of the third. A clearing attempt by David Schulz caught a seam in between the glass and jumped right to Jordan Fox who slid the puck to Chris Cloud. Cloud found an open Corey Couturier in front and he chipped it past Connelly. Play got a bit chippy after that with three separate fights. Rechlicz and Harrison tangled again at 3:48 followed by Schwab and Tomas Klempa at 6:47 and Tyler Hirsch and Aaron Clarke at 9:06.

Hirsch had a golden opportunity to end it in regulation, but was snuffed out on the doorstep by Alford. The Chiefs ended up with 17 shots in regulation while Wheeling had 28.

Johnstown carried the play offensively in overtime but could not convert in spite of outshooting Wheeling 2-0. Menei was the hero for Johnstown with the loan goal in the shootout. Tyler Hirsch, Andrew Sarauer, and Matt Robinson also shot but could not beat Alford. Connelly turned aside Clarke, Braden Walls, Fox, Thomas Beauregard, and Sean Collins to win the shootout.

Connelly picked up the win in relief with 17 saves while Spratt got the start and turned aside all 10 shots he faced. Johnstown ended the game 1-for-6 on the power play.

The Chiefs also announced today that they have received forward Dan Collins from the Rochester Americans of the AHL. Collins, a third-round pick (90th overall) of the Florida Panthers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, was reassigned by the Panthers to Johnstown earlier today. Collins has played 120 professional games between Florida (ECHL) and Rochester and has amassed 36 points (14G, 22A). He appeared in Rochester's season-opening 3-2 overtime loss to the Lake Erie Monsters at Blue Cross Arena last Saturday.

The Chiefs will play their preseason finale against Wheeling at home on Saturday, October 10 at 6:05. Season ticket holders get free admission to the game, while general admission tickets are just $5. Don't forget that the Chiefs open the 2009-10 regular season at home against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:30. Concurrent Technologies Corporation is sponsoring a magnetic schedule giveaway as well. Great seats are still available and can be purchased by calling 1-800-SLAPSHOT or by visiting www.johnstownchiefs.com.

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ECHL Stories from October 7, 2009


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