Chiefs Ride Past Wheeling

Published on December 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - The Johnstown Chiefs drew their record ever-closer to .500 as they defeated the Wheeling Nailers by a score of 4-2 Friday night at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The win brought the Chiefs record to 8-9-4 for the season.

The Chiefs got on the board first with a late power play goal in the first period. Mike Bartlett took a pass from Troy Schwab and fired it on Wheeling goalie Brad Thiessen. Sean Berkstresser was able to handle the rebound in front and put it through for his sixth of the season at 17:22. Berkstresser's score brought stuffed animals raining down from the stands as part of the Chiefs' annual Cool 101.7 Toy Toss to benefit the Marines and Toys for Tots. The Chiefs continued their offensive onslaught scoring 31 seconds later. R.J Anderson was able to bounce the puck along the boards from deep inside the Chiefs zone, springing Ryan Menei on a 2-on-1 with Connor Shields. The ECHL Rookie of the Month for November took the puck and blasted it top right to give the Chiefs a 2-0 lead at 17:53 of the first period. The goal was his team leading eleventh of the season.

The Chiefs bolstered their lead in the second period. The Chiefs' leading scorer, Shields also showed some fancy passing, working a pass behind the back while in-between two defenders that found its way to David Schulz. Schulz passed it across to Ryan Menei who launched it into the upper right corner for his fourth of the year to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead. The goal came at 14:46 into the second period. The Nailers fought hard to get one past rookie goalie Shane Connelly but the Chiefs were able to keep them scoreless through the second period.

Wheeling looked to be making another third period comeback against the Chiefs. Former Chief Blair Yaworski scored the Nailers' first goal with Chris Capraro picking up the assist at 4:20. Later the Nailers brought the score within one with Alex Grant putting one by Connelly while the teams skated 4 on 4 at the 12:14 mark. But this time the Chiefs wouldn't let the Nailers complete one of their late game comebacks. With the goalie pulled and the Nailers skating 6-on-5 with the extra attacker the pressure was on. The Chiefs fought through it, though, and Mike Bartlett took a shot from just inside the red line and got the empty net goal for his ninth of the season. Shields picked up his second assist of the game with the goal coming in at 19:41.

Connelly picked up his third win of the season making 31 saves in the contest. The Chiefs power play went 1-for-4 and the penalty kill went 6-for-6.

Mark your Calanders! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Friday, December 11 against the Elmira Jackals at 7:05. It will be another great giveaway night as the Chiefs will be giving away team poster schedules to all fans in attendance. 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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ECHL Stories from December 4, 2009


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