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Chiefs Thwart Nailers

November 26, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


WHEELING, W. Va. - The Johnstown Chiefs solidified their spot atop the North Division standings with a 3-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday night.

Johnstown has typically been strong in the first period this season, and they kept that trend going with a quick start against Wheeling. Wheeling was awarded the first three power plays of the game, but the Chiefs' penalty kill was up to the task, and allowed for Andrew Sarauer to give the Chiefs the lead at 13:09 of the first. Working a four-on-four situation Sarauer poked the puck away from Elgin Reid at the point and raced in on Curtis Darling. Sarauer's initial shot hit Darling in the head, but he couldn't cover the rebound and Sarauer slid it home.

Sarauer got his second of the period with the Chiefs on the power play at 16:15. Ryan Del Monte fought through a check on the far wing and let loose a wrist shot that Sarauer tipped past Darling. The goals were Sarauers' seventh and eighth of the season.

Wheeling's offense, always tough to hold down, was able to get a power play goal in the second from Tommy Goebel. Nick Johnson wristed a shot toward the slot that Goebel was able to tip by Kris Mayotte at 14:14.

A Chiefs player had scored two goals in a game eight times this season, but there hadn't been any hat tricks in 16 games. Sarauer put that to bed with his third goal of the game at 5:22 of the third. Del Monte picked the puck up behind the Wheeling net off of a dump in by Kyle Wharton, and spotted a wide-open Sarauer in the high slot. The Chiefs rookie closed in a lifted a wrister underneath the cross bar to complete the hat trick.

Trailing 3-1, Wheeling pulled Darling for the extra attacker with 2:06 left in the game, but Johnstown's defense, as well as Mayotte, held the fort and allowed the Chiefs to come away with the two points.

Mayotte made 33 saves in picking up his ninth win of the season, while the Chiefs power play ended the night 1-for-4.

Mark your calendars, the Chiefs return to home ice on Friday, November 28! Johnstown will be hosting Trenton with a 7:05 PM face off on its PA Lottery Giveaway Night. All Chiefs fans at the game 18 and older will get a coupon for a free scratchoff lottery ticket. Great seats are still available and you can get yours today by calling 814-539-1799 or 1-800-SLAPSHOT..



ECHL Stories from November 26, 2008


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