Chiefs trump Royals

Published on March 27, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


READING, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs used a wide-open offensive style to relentlessly pressure the Reading Royals on Friday night en route to a 6-4 win. Petr Pohl posted a game-high five points (1G, 4A) to key Johnstown's attack.

Johnstown's record improved to 37-26-4, and pending the outcome of other ECHL North Division games could place the Chiefs as high as second in the chase for the division championship.

Johnstown was looking for a quick start on the road and Todd Griffith provided just that with his ninth goal of the season. Just 6:08 into the contest Griffith charged the net as the trailer on a rush with Pohl and Blair Yaworski. As Yaworski drove the back door, Pohl fed it back to Griffith and he hit the wide-open net for the 1-0 Chiefs lead. Eric Felde's sixth goal of the season tied it at one at 11:53, but the Chiefs wouldn't let it stay that way long. Pohl would be the catalyst again as he set up Trevor Hendrikx for his ninth of the season at 13:52. Reading would tied it again, this time with a 5-on-3 power play goal from Ben Gordon.

A fast and furious start to the second period saw Johnstown come out on top of a three-goal exchange inside of the first five minutes. Ben McLeod scored 55 seconds into give Reading a brief 3-2 lead. It was made brief by Greg Gallagher potting his fourth goal of the campaign. As Gallagher drifted down the slot he took a nifty pass from Pohl and lifted it on the backhand past Michael Ouzas 3:03 after McLeod's goal. Andrew Sarauer then put on a fine individual effort to score his second shorthanded goal of the season, 19th overall, at 4:44 giving Johnstown the lead right back. Reading's captain, Dinos Stamoulis, would set up Tyler Doig on a breakaway, though, and he slipped one past Kris Mayotte to tie the game again at 10:13 of the second.

Johnstown's offense continued to click in the third period as it posted another two markers. The defense clamped down better than it had in the first two, as well, and kept Reading off of the scoreboard. In his first game with Johnstown since Dec. 20 Mike Bartlett scored the eventual game winner off of a gorgeous set up from Pohl on the doorstep. Pohl posted his fifth point of the night with a power play goal at 13:41 to give Johnstown its first, and only, two-goal lead of the game.

Kris Mayotte picked up his 20th win of the season by turning aside 36 shots and the Chiefs' power play ended the game 2-for-5.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Saturday, March 28 when they host the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. It's the final home game of the 2008-09 season and the Chiefs will be hosting Fan Appreciation Night. There will be giveaways galore from the likes of Nike/Bauer, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Coke, BIC, Snyder of Berlin, and much more! 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 27, 2009


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