Chiefs Falter Against Nailers

March 6, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


WHEELING, Wv. - The Johnstown Chiefs lost for the first time to the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena this season on Friday night by a score of 6-1.

Johnstown's record dropped to 32-23-3, but with Cincinnati losing in Reading Johnstown remains two points behind the Cyclones for first place in the North Division.

Sebastian Dahm, who was assigned to Johnstown just yesterday, started his first game for the Chiefs since October 25, but didn't have things go his way. Jon D'Aversa got Wheeling out to a 1-0 lead 1:38 into the game with a slap shot from the right wing. It was the defenseman's first ECHL goal of the season. That was followed by goals from Jordan Morrison and Bryan Ewing that stretched the lead to 3-0. With four saves on seven shots, Dahm was replaced by Ian Keserich with 4:26 left in the first period.

The Chiefs found themselves in penalty trouble early in the second period and Wheeling ended up with two 5-on-3 power plays that lasted more than a minute. Keserich, though, came up with some huge saves and kept Johnstown within striking distance. The offense tested Curtis Darling with 11 shots in the second, but was unable to find the back of the net. The Nailers ended up as the only team to put a shot home in the second when Bryan Ewing pushed a rebound across the line. Luca Caputi took the initial shot from point blank range, and earned his first ECHL assist for the effort.

The Chiefs ended Darling's shutout bid when Blair Yaworski sent home his 12th goal of the season, eighth against the Nailers, at 13:09 of the final period. That, however, came after the Nailers tacked on two power play goals 41 seconds apart from D'Aversa and Doug Krantz. The game got chippy late in the third when Sean Berkstresser ran into Darling as he crashed the net. The ensuing scrum saw combatants squaring off, and plenty of penalty minutes doled out.

Dahm sustained the loss, while Keserich made 32 saves in relief. Johnstown went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Sunday, March 8 when they host the Elmira Jackals. Sunday is the final AmeriServ Sellout Challenge of the season, and if the attendance reaches or passes 3,880 everyone is going home with a free ticket to a future Chiefs game. Good seats are available, but going quickly! Act fast and be sure to get yours by calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.



ECHL Stories from March 6, 2009


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