Chiefs falter against Nailers

Published on March 13, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - One night after matching their best offensive effort of the season, the Chiefs couldn't get in gear and fell 4-1 to the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial.

Kris Mayotte was stellar in net for the Chiefs from the drop of the puck. He was tested early, and often, but kept the Chiefs in the game until the very end. Wheeling launched 19 shots Mayotte's way in the opening frame but only one found pay dirt. After stealing the puck from David Schulz, Jordan Morrison hit Lane Caffaro in the left wing circle. Caffaro's shot sailed into the net at the 10:31 mark. Johnstown mounted a charge late with a pair of power plays, but Adam Berkhoel was up to task on each of the nine shots he faced.

On a nearly identical play to Caffaro's goal, Wheeling took a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Off of a faceoff, Jim McKenzie was looking to clear the puck on the right wing, but he was caught from behind by Aaron Clarke. Clarke then spun a pass to the front to Chris Davis who was battling through traffic. Mayotte got a piece of the shot on the way past, but not enough and Wheeling padded its lead with 5:54 gone by in the frame. Johnstown had two great chances to cut into the lead later in the period. Pinching down from the blue line, Brian Kaufman tipped a centering pass from Connor Shields over the crossbar, while a bit later Chanse Fitzpatrick muffed a shot on the doorstep with Berkhoel out of position.

The Nailers padded their lead further in the third period with Clarke netting his 20th goal of the season on the power play. After taking a pass from Ryan Schnell on the right wing, Clarke darted to the slot and wristed a shot past Mayotte on the blocker side. Johnstown finally broke through against Berkhoel on a power play goal by Bryan Kaufman. The rookie forward/defenseman scored a power play goal for the third straight game with assists from Shields and Sean Berkstresser at 8:09. It wasn't enough to spark the comeback, though, and Wheeling added an empty net goal from Colin Power with 19 seconds left on the clock.

Mayotte sustained the loss while making 44 saves. The Chiefs went 1-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs return to home ice on Friday, March 26 against the Toledo Walleye at 7:05. The Chiefs will be wearing special U.S. Marines themed jerseys for one night only. There will be a silent auction during the game and the winning bidders will get to take home the game-worn jerseys! Don't forget about the Chiefs' great discounts on tickets for groups of 10 or more. Call 814-539-1799 for more information. Good seats still remain and for individual tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000.

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ECHL Stories from March 13, 2010


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