Chiefs Toppled By Royals

Published on February 28, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


READING, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs put forth a solid road effort on Sunday at the Sovereign Center evening but came up one goal short and fell to the Reading Royals 4-3.

After a well disciplined game the night before against Cincinnati, the Chiefs found themselves in penalty trouble during the first period against Reading. In spite of five penalties taken the Chiefs found the back of the net twice and were tied with the Royals after 20 minutes. Reading took the initial lead as Ben McLeod jammed home a rebound 1:44 into the game. Johnstown didn't waste much time in responding as Jeff Martens twisted a wrist shot off of Josh Johnson and into the net at 3:16. Assists on the goal went to Troy Schwab and Jonathan Ralph. At the 14:13 mark Brian Kaufman's first as a Chief put Johnstown ahead 2-1. Schwab netted his second helper with Connor Shields also assisting. Former Chief Andrew Sarauer re-tied the game at 17:21 by hammering home a drop pass from Stefano Giliati on a 2-on-1 rush. Despite allowing two goals, John Murray shined in net for the Chiefs with 20 saves.

After a fairly evenly played first 10 minutes of the second period, the Royals looked to take control of the game with a pair of goals late in the frame. On a slow-developing three-on-three rush the Royals' Scott Langdon left a drop pass on the left wing for Robert Slaney. Slaney returned the pass to Langon in the slot and he tipped it past Murray for a 3-2 Reading lead at 13:10. Langdon had a big hand in the Royals' second goal of the frame, as well, as his bank pass off of the end boards found Olivier Labelle on the goal mouth for his 18th of the season. The goal was scored with 1:30 left in the period and was also assisted by Ryan Cruthers.

A dominating effort by the Chiefs in the third period nearly led to a dramatic comeback victory. Schwab drew the Chiefs within one goal at 7:29 with his 14th goal of the season and third point of the night. Bryan Marshall earned the assist by launching a shot that bounced off of Johnson's pad and into the slot. The Chiefs kept the pressure on throughout the entire frame and out-shot Reading by an outstanding 14-1 margin. Johnson made the key save with about 7:45 left to to in the game on a one-timer from the slot by Shields.

Murray took the loss in net for the Chiefs with 29 saves. The Chiefs were 0-for-3 on the power play and 7-for-7 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs return to home ice on Wednesday, March 3 against the Kalamazoo Wings. Faceoff is set for 7:05 and the Chiefs are offering up their second-to-last Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack of the season. Families can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks, and four boxes of popcorn all for just $44! The Four Pack is available through advance purchase from the Chiefs' office or at the War Memorial Box Office as a walk up package. Good seats are available! For individual tickets visit the War Memorial Box Office or contact Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 28, 2010


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