Chiefs drop thriller to Jackals

Published on March 5, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


ELMIRA, NY. - The Johnstown Chiefs put forth a valiant effort against the division-leading Jackals on Friday night but fell 5-4 in overtime at First Arena.

The Chiefs came to Elmira looking for a better start than they had in their last visit to Elmira, but things wouldn't quite go as planned. Elmira's rookie winger Matt Lowry potted the first goal of the evening 4:20 into the contest. The wrist shot from the right wing beat John Murray to the glove side with the assist going to Joe Grimaldi. The Chiefs picked up the first power play of the game shortly after the goal, but were held at bay by Elmira goalie Julien Ellis. Ellis was up to task on all 12 of the Chiefs' shots in the opening frame. His solid play allowed for Chris Korchinski to extend the lead to two with a power play goal at 8:55. R.J. Anderson made the key play with a wrist shot from the point that Korchinski was able to tip in for his 16th of the season.

In the second period the Chiefs were able to wipe out nearly all of Elmira's momentum from the first period. A four-goal exchange in the span of 2:02 halfway through the period left the game tied up at three each. Sean Berkstresser started the fireworks with his 16th of the season at 9:56. Dan Gendur, in his return to the lineup fed it to the front from the right wing and Berkstresser slammed it home. Just 26 seconds later, Trevor Hendrikx' third goal in his last two games knotted the score at two. The blast from the left wing was Trevor's sixth of the season with assists to Troy Schwab and Bryan Marshall. A fluke goal, that bounced off the skate of Bryan Marshall, by Tyler Donati gave Elmira the lead back at 11:25. Undeterred, Connor Shields' 25th of the season re-tied the game at three at 11:58 with assists to Mike Couch and Chanse Fitzpatrick. Elmira would retake the lead on an R.J. Anderson goal with 3:16 left in the frame.

Facing a one-goal deficit in the third, the Chiefs were on the warpath looking for the tying goal. They out-shot the Jackals 12-5 in the frame, but it would go right down to the wire before they could even the score. Following a timeout with 1:59 left to play, Neil Smith pulled Murray for the extra attacker to put the pressure on the Jackals. The aggressive move paid off as Fitzpatrick scored the tying goal against his former club with 18:27 gone by. Hendrikx earned his second point of the night with the assist, but Russ Sinkewich made the key play by leaping and gloving down an Elmira clearing attempt.

As the game moved to overtime, the Chiefs kept momentum going in their favor and registered the first two shots of the sudden death period. Elmira, though, absorbed the initial surge and picked up the winning goal on a redirect by Olivier Proulx with 1:53 gone by.

Murray sustained the loss while making 23 saves on the evening. Johnstown went 0-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs return to home ice on Sunday, March 7 against the Elmira Jackals at 2:05. Grab your non-perishable food items and bring them with you as the Chiefs and the Johnstown Rotary Club are teaming up for their second-annual Face Off Against Hunger. Those who contribute to the food drive will be eligible for a $12 adult walk up ticket. Also, don't forget to bring your skates for the post-game skate with the Chiefs. Good seats still remain and for individual tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000.

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