Chiefs Fall To Reading

Published on December 16, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - The Johnstown Chiefs were defeated by the Reading Royals by a score of 7-3 Wednesday night at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The loss dropped the Chiefs record to 8-12-5 for the season.

In the seventh meeting this season between Johnstown and Reading it was Reading getting on the board first. Daniel Steiner was able to score his tenth of the season on Shane Connelly at 14:44. Nick St. Pierre and Ben Gordon got the assists. The goal would not be Reading's last of the period. The Royals' leading scorer Ben Gordon was able to put an unassisted slap shot by Connelly at 17:31.

Looking to come out with and seize momentum in the second period the Chiefs were able to bring the game within one early in the frame. Sean Berkstresser was able to squeak the puck by Reading goalie Matt Dalton's left side at 2:37. Moises Gutierrez got the assist on the play. The Chiefs continued to look to tie the game up but it was Reading scoring the next goal. Nick St. Pierre scored his second of the season with Marc Cavosie and Ben Gordon getting assists at 12:15.

The Chiefs continued to find opportunities looking to draw the score closer. Chris Zarb ripped off a blistering slap shot that bounced off Dalton's glove and almost went in before Dalton was able to snag it out of the air. Soon after Dan Gendur snapped off a quick shot with some force behind it that Dalton was just barely able to stop. With a penalty late in the period the Chiefs were caught off guard by a Reading shorthanded goal. Matt Cavosie got the goal with just ten seconds left in the period. Gavin Morgan was awarded an assist.

Going into the third period the Chiefs were looking to forge a dramatic comeback. R.J Anderson battled along the boards behind Reading's goal maintaining control of the puck and sent a sizzling pass across the ice to Bryan Marshall. Marshall was able to collect the puck and put it top shelf for his eighth of the season. The goal came in at 5:31.

Reading however, was not looking to give the Chiefs any more breathing room. Ben Gordon was able to score quickly after at 8:16 for his second of the game. Daniel Steiner picked up an assist. Then again at 12:53 right at the end of a Reading penalty Stefano Giliati was able to come out of the box and feed Morgan who assisted Gordon for the hat trick. The Chiefs showed some resilience at 15:18 looking to claw their way back into the game. Berkstresser was able to set a new career high with his ninth goal of the season, and second of the game. Dan Gendur and Anderson picked up assists on the play. Within a few goals the Chiefs knew they had to do something to jump start their offense and get back in the game. Shane Connelly was pulled with three minutes left in the period to give the Chiefs a man advantage. The Chiefs fought hard looking to put another up on the board and to keep Reading from getting the empty net but the effort just proved not to be enough. Charlie Kronschnabel scored on the empty net at 19:43 with Gavin Morgan picking up the assist.

Connelly took his seventh loss of the season making 25 saves on 31 shots in the contest. The Chiefs power play went 0-for-7 and the Chiefs were not shorthanded during the contest.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Friday, December 18 against the expansion Toledo Walleye. The Chiefs will be hosting a benefit drive to benefit the Brent's Band-Aids charity. Each box of cartoon band-aids that is donated to Brent's Band-Aids will be worth one free child's ticket to that night's game. There is no limit to this offer! Good seats still remain and can be purchased in advance by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-TICKETMASTER.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from December 16, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central