Chiefs slip against Nailers

Published on March 7, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


WHEELING, Wv. - The Johnstown Chiefs lost their second straight game at Wheeling on Saturday night by a score of 5-2..

Johnstown's record dropped to 32-24-3, and the team slipped four points behind the division-leading Cincinnati Cyclones. Wheeling also vaulted over the Chiefs for second in the North.

Wheeling, which boasts plenty of high-scoring forwards, got offensive production from some unlikely sources to take a 2-0 lead after the first period. Although only one was scored on the power play, penalties had a role in both of the Wheeling goals. Ben Geelan's fifth goal of the season came three seconds after a penalty to Todd Griffith had expired, and then Bo Cheesman lifted a backhander past Ian Keserich with seven seconds left on a goalkeeper interference minor to Blair Yaworski.

Johnstown came out firing on all cylinders early in the second and outshot Wheeling 5-0 in the first three minutes. The climax was provided by Blair Yaworski who scored his 13th goal of the season on a wicked one-timer set up by Petr Pohl and Griffith. The Chiefs continued to try to forge the comeback, but Wheeling stemmed the tide and Kelly Miller extended the Nailers' lead back to two. Johnstown earned a power play with 2:08 left in the second, but was unable to find the back of the net.

Johnstown trimmed the lead back to one early in the third period with a power play goal from Andy Contois. The goal was his 9th of the season with assists from Jon Landry and Todd Griffith. Landry took the initial shot, and Griffith kept the rebound alive long enough for Contois to slam it home. Bryan Ewing countered with a late power play goal to stretch Wheeling's lead back to two before Luca Caputi set the final with an empty net power play goal with 1:30 to play. Johnstown's Andrew Sarauer received a major penalty and a game misconduct for spearing that gave Wheeling the power play for the duration of regulation.

Keserich took the loss, but made 37 saves in net for Johnstown while the power play went 1-for-6.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Sunday, March 8 when they host the Elmira Jackals. Sunday is the final AmeriServ Sellout Challenge of the season, and if the attendance reaches or passes 3,880 everyone is going home with a free ticket to a future Chiefs game. Good seats are available, but going quickly! Act fast and be sure to get yours by calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.

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ECHL Stories from March 7, 2009


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