Chiefs tripped up by Trenton

Published on January 24, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


TRENTON, Nj. - The Johnstown Chiefs dropped their fourth game in a row in Trenton on Saturday night, losing by a score of 3-2.

Trenton's special teams paved the way to victory in the last meeting of the teams, but Johnstown's eleventh shorthanded goal of the season gave it the early leg up. Sean Berkstresser blocked a shot at the point and split the defense of David Leaderer and Chris Dyment. As he raced in alone on Gerald Coleman, Berkstresser deked from the backhand to the forehand and lifted a wrist shot over Coleman's blocker. It was the rookie's eighth goal of the season.

The Chiefs were under siege early in the second by an energized Devils team. The home team used an even strength goal by Dan Eves at 3:00 and a power play tally by Trevor Kell at 5:16 to take a 2-1 lead. Johnstown then found itself in a distressing situation with Kyle Bushee and Matt Rogers taking minor penalties 20 seconds apart and giving the Devils a 5-on-3 advantage. It was Berkstresser, though, who had the best scoring chance on another shorthanded breakaway. This time Coleman snuffed it out, but Berkstresser drew a holding penalty on the backcheck. Johnstown ended up with a power play at the tail end of the middle frame and Petr Pohl sniped a shot from the right wing in for his thirteenth of the season and a tie game after 40 minutes.

Jeff Prough cashed in 42 seconds into the final period to give the Devils back their one-goal lead. That forced the Chiefs to respond by ratcheting up the offense and respond they did, but Coleman loomed large in the net. The former Chief denied Blair Yaworski and Kyle Bushee from point blank on consecutive sequences to maintain the lead. Then with Mayotte pulled for the extra attacker, Johnstown had the puck in the Devils' zone for nearly the entire final minute, but Coleman came up with two more big saves to deny Johnstown overtime.

Mayotte, like Coleman, shined with a 45-save performance, and Johnstown's power play converted for the second straight game going 1-for-5.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Wednesday, January 28 and will be hosting the Mississippi Sea wolves. That game will feature a team poster giveaway for the first 1,500 fans in attendance at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink and seats are going quickly! Act fast and be sure to get your seat by calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 24, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central