Chiefs Get Historic Win Against Elmira

December 28, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The 2008-09 Chiefs became the fastest team in club history to 20 wins when they defeated the Elmira Jackals 6-5 in overtime on Sunday afternoon. The game was a make up of the postponed game from Saturday night.

This season's Chiefs team (20-9-1) is the first to have won 20 games before the turn of the calendar year, and it bested the 1991-92 team that got to 20 in 33 games (20-11-2).

The Chiefs struck at the 8:28 mark of the first when Trevor Hendrikx beat David Shantz from the left wing for his second goal of the season. Jon Landry and Andy Contois assisted on the goal. Elmira was able to even the score at one with Wes Cunningham's seventh goal of the season, and the first ended tied at one.

At the 3:39 mark of the second Elmira took the lead as Brian Ihnacak was able to beat Kris Mayotte right off of a face off to make it 2-1.

The Chiefs offense responded by going on a tear with four straight goal to take a 5-2 lead. Mike Bartlett started the flurry with his fifth of the season, with assists going to Contois and Ryan Del Monte. Just 55 seconds later Kyle Wharton scored his second of the season. Wes Clark and Hendrikx picked up assists on the score. Next up was Contois to beat Shantz for his fourth of the year. Del Monte teamed with Randy Rowe to set up the goal. It was the captain's 100th assist as a Chief. Rowe then stole the puck in a short handed situation and scored his 11th goal of the season to make it 5-2. Benoit Doucet capped the scoring in the second with a goal on a delayed penalty call to get Elmira within 5-3.

The third was quiet for over 17 minutes, until Josh Aspenlind and Paul McIlveen scored goals within 24 seconds of each other to force overtime. It was the Chiefs however, that were able to work a 3 on 2 break to get Mike Bartlett his sixth of the year, and second of the game, to win it for Johnstown. Clark and Hendrikx assisted on the game winner. .



ECHL Stories from December 28, 2008


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