Chiefs Poked By Nailers

Published on March 23, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - The Chiefs would play catch-up all game but fall short in the end, suffering a 6-5 loss at the hands of the Wheeling Nailers at the War Memorial on Sunday night.

The Nailers would strike first, as Aaron Clarke's shot ricocheted off a Chief and into the back of the Johnstown net for a power play marker at 1:31 of the first. Sean Collins and Jon Krall added the assists. With Vincent Zaore and Codey Burki both in the box for high-sticking, Kelly Miller would score unassisted for Wheeling at 3:23. The Chiefs would find the back of the net at 12:38 when Burki tipped in a shot from Brandon Straub and Zaore. Johnstown would even the score at 17:50, as a shot from Zaore slid into the goal off the skate of Wheeling net minder Curtis Darling. Straub and Nathan Saunders tallied the helpers on the power play goal. The score was deadlocked at 2-2 after 20 minutes of play.

The Nailers would pull ahead early in the second period. Kevin Croxton notched a goal 21 seconds into the period on a pass from B.J. Radovich and Darling. Croxton found the net again at 11:21, fed by Justin Chwedoruk on the short-handed tally. Johnstown would answer with a power play goal by Burki at 11:44, assisted by Andrew Martens and Greg Gallagher. Wheeling would score again at 14:08, as Collins hammered home a shot from Clarke and Matt Byrnes. The visiting team carried a 5-3 lead to the dressing room after two.

Johnstown battled to overcome the two goal deficit in the third, with two power play goals from Joey Olson. Olson's first came at 1:11, with assists from Alexandre Imbeault and Randy Rowe. He notched his second of the night, also from Rowe and Imbeault, at 11:07 to tie the score at 5 apiece.

A giveaway in the Johnstown zone would result in the game-winning goal for Wheeling's Radovich at 15:34. Olson tried to push the puck up ice, but it was deflected off Burki's skate and fell onto the stick of Radovich.

The Chiefs would fire 48 shots at Wheeling goaltender Curtis Darling and go 4-for-9 on the power play. Andrew Penner took the loss in net for Johnstown, stopping 18 of 24 shots.

The Chiefs will play host to the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday, March 29, for the final Dodge Shootout of the season. If you can't make that one, don't miss the game on Sunday, March 30, when the Trenton Devils come to town for "Chiefs T-Shirt Giveaway Night." The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive Chiefs t-shirts, compliments of Uni-First Corporation. Great seats are still available for both games 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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ECHL Stories from March 23, 2008


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