Chiefs rock Cyclones

March 29, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - With a decimated roster, Johnstown battled to take down the top team in the division by a score of 6-3 at the War Memorial Saturday night.

Mike Sgroi was a man on a mission in the first period, notching two goals for the home team. His first would come at 3:41. After Shawn Houde and Greg Gallagher teamed up to spring Sgroi on a breakaway, he deked Cincinnati goaltender Cody Rudkowsky to put the puck in the back of the net. Sgroi would strike again at 8:37, when he tipped in Houde's wrister from the right circle. Andrew Martens picked up the secondary assist on the goal. Johnstown would carry a two goal lead to the locker room after one.

A penalty shot would put Cincinnati on the board early in the second, as Mathieu Aubin was hooked down in front of Chiefs net minder Ryan Nie at 2:00. Johnstown would answer on a goal from Randy Rowe at 4:24. Rowe finished Alexandre Imbeault's wraparound attempt, and Wes O'Neil picked up his first point as a Chief with the secondary assist. Chris Ferazzoli put the Cyclones back within one with his second of the year at the nine-minute mark. Joey Olson would add his name to the score sheet for Johnstown, tallying a goal at 10:04 from Rowe and Imbeault, but Cincinnati would fire back when Matt MacDonald put a shot past Nie at 17:38. Aubin and Olivier Latendresse added the assists. The Chiefs held a 4-3 advantage after 40 minutes.

Sgroi would finish what he started early on in the third period, notching the Chiefs' fourth hat trick of the season from Martens and Nie at 3:48. Johnstown caught a break when what would have been the Cyclones' fourth goal of the game was waived off midway through the period. Cincinnati pulled Rudkowsky at 17:55 for a 6-on-5 advantage, playing with six forwards. Imbeault would end the Cyclones' chances of a late comeback with an empty netter at 19:27. Rowe and Nie recorded the helpers.

Ryan Nie earned his 27th win in net this season, stopping 28 of 31 shots, and became the first Chiefs goalie to record a multi-point game this season. The Chiefs went 1-for-4 on the power play.

The Chiefs will take on the Trenton Devils on Sunday, March 30, for the "Chiefs T-Shirt Giveaway" sponsored by Uni-First Corp. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive free t-shirts. If you can't make that one, be sure to come out for "Fan Appreciation Day" when the Wheeling Nailers come to town on Friday, April 4. Fans will be treated to giveaways at the entrances and exits, as well as items thrown into the crowd. Don't miss the final home game of the regular season! 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! Johnstown, PA - With a decimated roster, Johnstown battled to take down the top team in the division by a score of 6-3 at the War Memorial Saturday night.

Mike Sgroi was a man on a mission in the first period, notching two goals for the home team. His first would come at 3:41. After Shawn Houde and Greg Gallagher teamed up to spring Sgroi on a breakaway, he deked Cincinnati goaltender Cody Rudkowsky to put the puck in the back of the net. Sgroi would strike again at 8:37, when he tipped in Houde's wrister from the right circle. Andrew Martens picked up the secondary assist on the goal. Johnstown would carry a two goal lead to the locker room after one.

A penalty shot would put Cincinnati on the board early in the second, as Mathieu Aubin was hooked down in front of Chiefs net minder Ryan Nie at 2:00. Johnstown would answer on a goal from Randy Rowe at 4:24. Rowe finished Alexandre Imbeault's wraparound attempt, and Wes O'Neil picked up his first point as a Chief with the secondary assist. Chris Ferazzoli put the Cyclones back within one with his second of the year at the nine-minute mark. Joey Olson would add his name to the score sheet for Johnstown, tallying a goal at 10:04 from Rowe and Imbeault, but Cincinnati would fire back when Matt MacDonald put a shot past Nie at 17:38. Aubin and Olivier Latendresse added the assists. The Chiefs held a 4-3 advantage after 40 minutes.

Sgroi would finish what he started early on in the third period, notching the Chiefs' fourth hat trick of the season from Martens and Nie at 3:48. Johnstown caught a break when what would have been the Cyclones' fourth goal of the game was waived off midway through the period. Cincinnati pulled Rudkowsky at 17:55 for a 6-on-5 advantage, playing with six forwards. Imbeault would end the Cyclones' chances of a late comeback with an empty netter at 19:27. Rowe and Nie recorded the helpers.

Ryan Nie earned his 27th win in net this season, stopping 28 of 31 shots, and became the first Chiefs goalie to record a multi-point game this season. The Chiefs went 1-for-4 on the power play.

The Chiefs will take on the Trenton Devils on Sunday, March 30, for the "Chiefs T-Shirt Giveaway" sponsored by Uni-First Corp. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive free t-shirts. If you can't make that one, be sure to come out for "Fan Appreciation Day" when the Wheeling Nailers come to town on Friday, April 4. Fans will be treated to giveaways at the entrances and exits, as well as items thrown into the crowd. Don't miss the final home game of the regular season! 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!



ECHL Stories from March 29, 2008


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