Chiefs drop high scoring affair

March 14, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs got into an old-fashioned shootout with the high-scoring Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night. Johnstown couldn't muster enough offense in the end and took an 8-5 loss.

Johnstown took a 2-1 lead after one period of play thanks to a strong effort on the power play. Blair Yaworski opened the scoring at 7:34 with Johnstown skating on a 5-on-3 power play. Yaworski jammed a rebound in after Ryan Del Monte and Andrew Sarauer had a crack at beating David Brown. Sarauer put one up in the goal column with assists from Mike Knight and Trevor Hendrikx at 17:30. That came after Erik Johnson tied the game with a power play goal at 15:52.

The second period proved to be Johnstown's undoing as Wheeling scored five unanswered goals and led 6-3 after two. Billy Ryan, Johnson, Tommy Goebel, Andrew Lord, and Ryan again scored in order over a span of 6:14. The last goal chased starter Sebastian Dahm from the net and he was replaced by Ian Keserich. Jason Spence cut into Wheeling's momentum with a highlight-reel goal. Kyle Bushee sent the puck low from the left point and Spence caught it after a carom off of the end boards. With David Brown scrambling, Spence banked a shot off of his back and into the net.

The Chiefs tried to get the comeback started with Del Monte sliding a backhander past Brown 2:36 into the third. Spence and Bushee assisted on the goal giving each skater a multi-point game. Wheeling came back with two more goals to take its largest lead of the game at 8-4. Yaworski added another power play goal for the Chiefs to set the final at 13:18 of the third. The goal gave the Chiefs' fans some hope of a comeback, but Johnstown wouldn't find the back of the net again.

Dahm sustained the loss with 24 saves on 30 shots, while Keserich went 6-for-8 in relief. Johnstown's power play turned in a solid effort by going 3-for-8.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Sunday, March 22nd when they host the Elmira Jackals at 2:35 p.m. ET. Atlantic Broadband is sponsoring a kid's packet giveaway at the game, and it will be the final post-game skate with the Chiefs of the season. Good seats are available, but going quickly! Act fast and be sure to get your seat by calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.



ECHL Stories from March 14, 2009


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