Chiefs hit Nailers

April 4, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - Johnstown would finish the regular season at home with a bang, defeating the Wheeling Nailers by a 3-0 margin at the War Memorial Friday night. It was the 20th win of the season for the Chiefs on home ice, a first since the 2003-04 season.

The Chiefs would get on the board at 5:30 of the first, when Joey Olson potted his 15th goal of the season. Brandon Straub threaded Andrew Martens, who took a shot from the circle. Olson hammered home the rebound before Wheeling goaltender Curtis Darling had a chance to cover the puck. Seven seconds into a Nailers bench minor for too many men, Alexandre Imbeault would give the home team a power play goal, at 9:35. On a pass from Ray Macias, Brian Deeth fed Imbeault from behind the Johnstown net, ahead to the blue line for Imbeault's 24th of the year. The Chiefs carried a two-goal advantage to the dressing room after one.

Johnstown would open the second period with a firing squadron of point-blank shots in front of Darling, though none would touch the twine. The Chiefs would get another marker from Imbeault on a 2-on-none break with Macias at 8:31. Olson set up Macias and Imbeault from behind to beat Wheeling's Kelly Miller for the goal. Macias nearly netted a goal of his own when a screamer from the point rang off the post late in the period. The Chiefs out-shot the Nailers 15-4 in the second and held a three-goal lead after 40 minutes of play.

Neither team would score in the third period, though both had chances. Martens, Mark Tobin and Jean Desrochers skated into the Wheeling zone 3-on-2 but failed to put a shot on net. Johnstown broke up the Nailers' screen in front of Chiefs goaltender Ryan Nie, and Imbeault and Randy Rowe broke for the other end, with Rowe's shot sailing over the goal. Nie caught a break late in the game as Kyle Rank's shot grazed the pipe, and he ensured the shutout victory after Wheeling's Sean Berkstresser nearly went 5-hole on him.

Nie earned his 29th win, his third shutout of the season, and second in as many games, in net, turning aside all 20 shots he saw. The Chiefs went 1-for-4 on the power play and out-shot Wheeling 36-20.

Don't miss Chiefs playoff hockey! The Chiefs will take on the Dayton Bombers in a best-of-three series, beginning Sunday, April 6, in Dayton. The second game will be held in Johnstown on Tuesday, April 8, and the third, if necessary, will be April 9. Great seats are still available at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial. Call 536-5156, or visit www.johnstownchiefs.com to get yours today!



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