Chiefs slam Nailers

November 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Wheeling, W Va. - Pittsburgh native Kris Mayotte was strong in his first start for Johnstown as he backstopped the Chiefs to a 3-2 shootout win over Wheeling on Saturday night.

The Chiefs had multiple scoring opportunities in the opening period, but Curtis Darling made a few strong saves, one shot hit the post, and one missed the net completely. With Johnstown's offense somewhat snake-bit in the first, Wheeling took advantage and cashed in with a Tobias Holm power play goal at 4:46. Mayotte looked to have been partially screened on Holm's point shot that gave Wheeling the 1-0 lead.

Johnstown's defense clamped down hard on Wheeling in the second period, and the power play came to life to give the Chiefs a brief 2-1 lead. Petr Pohl scored his first of the season, on the power play, at 15:42 of the second period. Randy Rowe carried the puck down the slot, and as he closed in on Darling left a pass for Pohl on the left wing. Darling was far out of position and Pohl had no trouble finding the back of the net. Then it was Rowe scoring, again on the power play, at 18:26 to give the Chiefs the lead. Codey Burki carried down the right wing, and made a power move to the front of the net. Rowe was there on the doorstep to jam it in just before the net was knocked off its moorings. Rob Sirianni came right back for Wheeling, though, and tied the game at two just nine seconds after the Chiefs took the lead.

Even though there was no scoring in the third period, the Chiefs and Nailers provided a thrilling finish. Johnstown out-shot Wheeling 16 to 12 in the final frame, and ended regulation with a 45 to 40 shot advantage. When the game moved to overtime, Johnstown put itself in a tough situation when Mike Bartlett took an interference minor with 1:52 left in the extra frame. Wheeling was able to get four shots on the power play, but Mayotte was up to the task each time.

The game moved to a shootout after a scoreless overtime, and Johnstown prevailed 2-1 after six shooters went for each side. The Zamboni at WesBanco Arena broke down and was unable to provide a dry scrape of the ice to smooth it over, and that made things tough on the shootout participants.

Petr Pohl was the first shooter to score with a wrist shot past Darling. Wheeling's Mitch Ganzak, Wheeling's very next shooter, answered right back to tie the shootout at one. Mayotte made the key save on Jordan Morrison, Wheeling's sixth shooter. Mike Bartlett was able to navigate the choppy ice and beat Darling for the game-winning goal as the Chiefs dealt the Nailers their second loss of the season.

Kris Mayotte made 38 saves in earning the victory, and the Chiefs' power play went 2-for-7 on the night.

Mark your calendars, the Chiefs return to home ice on Friday, November 7! Johnstown will be hosting Reading with a 7:05 PM faceoff on its Presidential Night. Anyone attending the game who shares a first or last name with the current, or a past, president will get a discounted ticket at the box office! Great seats are still available and you can get yours today by calling 814-539-1799 or 1-800-SLAPSHOT..



ECHL Stories from November 1, 2008


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