Chiefs steamroll Bombers

April 8, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - Three different Chiefs would have a multi-point game Tuesday night, and Ryan Nie posted his third shutout in four starts, as Johnstown beat the Dayton Bombers by a score of 5-0 at the War Memorial. The victory would clinch the best-of-three series for the Chiefs.

Johnstown struck as quick as lightning, finding the back of the net just 11 seconds into the game. Ryan Garlock would take the face-off at center ice, dumping the puck back to Greg Gallagher before breaking into the Dayton zone with Randy Rowe and Alexandre Imbeault. He finished the play on a feed from the left wing from Imbeault. The Chiefs' penalty kill would work overtime in the first period, battling back-to-back minors on Garlock and Jean Desrochers to keep the Bombers off the score sheet. Dayton would nearly score with a point blank shot from Scott Kelman, but Johnstown goaltender Ryan Nie robbed him with the glove. Garlock would strike again for the Chiefs, with Imbeault adding another helper, at 9:29. Johnstown would find the back of the net a third time in the first period, this time with Ray Macias at 14:20. Rowe and Garlock fed Macias, who fired the one-timer past Bombers net minder Rejean Beauchemin and scoring on a 5-on-3 power play advantage. The Chiefs would carry a 3-0 lead after one.

Johnstown would triple Dayton's shot total in the second, firing 15 at Beauchemin. Desrochers would pick up his first point of the playoff series at 7:24, hammering home a pass from Brandon Straub and Nathan Saunders. The Bombers would nearly find the back of the net themselves midway through the period, as a rocket from Mike Walsh ricocheted off the inside of the left post. Petr Pohl made an attempt for the visiting team late in the period, but Nie would shovel the puck out with his stick. The Chiefs held a four-goal lead after 40 minutes.

Johnstown would kill off a 33-second two-man advantage early in the third to prevent the Bombers from scoring. Imbeault would pick up his second goal of the playoffs, on a 5-on-4 power play at 10:08, assisted by Garlock and Gallagher.

Ryan Nie would make 23 saves to earn the shutout. The Chiefs power play would go 2-for-9.

The Chiefs move on to face the Cincinnati Cyclones in the best-of-seven North Division Semifinals, with the first two contests slated for this Friday and Saturday in Cincinnati. Games three and four are scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16, in Johnstown with 7:05 p.m. face-offs both nights. Great seats are 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 April 8, 2008


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