Chiefs Fall To Jackals In Shootout

Published on December 11, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - The Johnstown Chiefs were defeated by the Elmira Jackals by a score of 5-4 in a shootout on Friday night at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The loss brings the Chiefs record to 8-10-5 for the season.

In the teams' first meeting since October 24, Elmira was the first to put a tally on the board with a goal by Mat Robinson at 14:14 of the first that went unassisted for his second of the second. The Chiefs killed off two Elmira power plays in the period, including a minor for too many men on the ice, to stay within striking distance. With some late-period heroics, the Chiefs were able to tie the game before the first intermission. With his linemates Bryan Marshall and Ryan Menei darting into the Elmira zone, Mike Bartlett whipped a pass to Menei on the right wing. He sailed the puck to the front of the net where Marshall jammed it past Pier-Olivier Pelletier with just four seconds left in the frame. It was his seventh of the season.

Trevor Hendrikx injected some energy into the Chiefs by fighting Brett Gallant at the opening faceoff of the second period. The momentum continued to build throughout the period, and was kicked into high gear by R.J. Anderson with his fifth of the season at 15:28. Swinging the game in Johnstown's favor even further was Sean Berkstresser's seventh of the season with 1:28 left to play in the frame. Berkstresser's quick wrist shot from the left wing was set up by Dan Collins and Moises Gutierrez. Johnstown's Kris Mayotte held strong through the second period with nine saves keeping Elmira held down with one goal.

Johnstown had yet another happy beginning to the third period when Gutierrez went for his second point of the night and his fourth goal of the season 3:48 into the period. Assists came from the sticks of new addition Dan Gendur and Anderson. Elmira battled back, though, with three unanswered goals to tie the game and force overtime. The first, scored at 6:54, by the Jackals' Brett Gallant was his first as a pro. Forty seconds later Justin Donati forced a slap shot home with assists from Yannick Tifu and Max Gratchev. Chris Korchinski netted the tying goal at 11:22 of the third and led to Shane Connelly replacing Mayotte in net for Johnstown. Connelly made a spectacular save on a breakaway by Matt Lowry late in the third and allowed for the Chiefs to earn a point for making it to overtime.

Overtime took a dramatic turn in favor of Elmira early when Bartlett received a five minute major penalty, and a game misconduct, for checking Elmira's Joe Grimaldi from behind. The penalty occurred with 3:38 left in the extra frame and left Johnstown shorthanded for the entire time. The Chiefs' penalty killers, and Connelly, put forth a stellar effort and allowed the game to reach a shootout.

When the game moved to the shootout, Elmira's first two shooters, Gratchev and Justin Donati, cashed in and put the Chiefs in a hole. Gutierrez continued his strong night scoring on his first shootout attempt this season and pulled the Chiefs within one. Mashall was denied by Pelletier, though, and Elmira's fifth shooter, Chanse Fitzpatrick, netted the winner.

Mayotte took the loss in net making 21 saves in the contest. The Chiefs power play went 0-for-3 while the penalty kill was 7-for-8.

Mark your Calanders! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Friday, December 11 against the Elmira Jackals at 7:05. It will be another great giveaway night as the Chiefs will be giving away team poster schedules to all fans in attendance. Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounted tickets and preferred seating. Contact a group representative at 814-539-1799 today. Good seats still remain for individual tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-Ticketmaster.

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