Chiefs Felled By Gladiators

Published on December 13, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


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

The loss dropped the Chiefs record to 8-11-5 for the season.

In the teams' first meeting of the season, third in the Chiefs' 22-year history, Gwinnett was the first to notch a point on the board with a goal by Tom Zanoski at 5:39 of the first with the assist from Scott Marchesi. Zanoski's goal was the first of the game thanks to strong penalty killing by the Gladiators. Johnstown had a seven-minute power play after Matt Siddall attacked Moises Gutierrez, and a full two-minute 5-on-3 was added due to a delay of game minor to Aaron Brockelhurst. Johnstown could not convert, though, and momentum swung in Gwinnett's favor. Jim McKenzie nearly tied the game twice in the first on separate breakaways, but David Brown turned him aside both times.

Trevor Hendrikx got some retribution for Gutierrez and the Chiefs by fighting Siddall early in the second and scoring the takedown. Gwinnett, though, ramped up the attack in the second and stretched the lead to four by the end of the frame. Zanoski notched his second of the night 3:02 into the second and was followed by Brockelhurst on the power play at 11:19 and Siddall at 16:06. Shane Connelly faced a barrage of shots in the second as Gwinnett outshot the Chiefs 15-to-8.

Hendrikx was given a double minor for roughing at 20:00 of the second period giving Gwinnett a good chance to extend the lead at the onset of the third. The Gladiators did just that with Matt Francis potting his second of the season. From there tempers flared on both sides and penalty minutes piled up throughout the rest of the game. Gwinnett totaled 53 with Siddall getting 39 total after a double game misconduct for instigating a fight with Dan Collins 2:31 into the frame. Collins picked up 22 minutes in penalty time in the same altercation.

The Chiefs did notch three special teams goal in the third with Chris Zarb scoring shorthanded at 2:13 against his former club. That goal was followed by Connor Shields' sixth power play goal of the season, 12th overall, at 11:26 and finally McKenzie on the man advantage at 18:42. Drew Paris added Gwinnett's third power play goal of the game at 3:23 and Chad Denny slid in an empty net goal at 19:52 to set the final.

Connelly picked up his sixth loss of the season making 27 saves in the contest. The Chiefs power play went 2-for-9 and the penalty kill went 4-for-7.

Mark your Calanders! The Chiefs will be back on home ice on Wednesday, December 16 against the Reading Royals at 7:05. It will be a Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack night where families can get four tickets, hot dogs, drinks, and popcorn boxes for just $44! 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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