Chiefs Upended By Florida

February 27, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


ESTERO, Fl. - The Johnstown Chiefs dropped their second game in a row at Germain Arena on Friday night, losing to the Florida Everblades by a 4-2 score.

Johnstown's record dropped to 31-21-3, but with Elmira knocking off Cincinnati the Chiefs remained two points behind the division-leading Cyclones.

Jarrett Konkle, who had three goals in his last two games, remained red hot and gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead at 9:09 of the first. Domenic D'Amour missed the Johnstown net with a slap shot and the long rebound gave the Chiefs a 3-on-3 rush the other way. Ryan Del Monte led the charge and dropped a pass back to Toby LaFrance who in turn set it back on Konkle's tape. He wired a slap shot past Leggio for his 28th goal of the season. A late train of Everblades to the penalty box gave Johnstown a 5-on-3 power play for nearly the entirety of the last two minutes of the first. Petr Pohl set off a wild scramble at the Florida net with a centering pass from the left wing. Andrew Sarauer touched the puck toward the back of the net, but it was spinning like a top and didn't cross the line. Del Monte dug it free before David Leggio could cover the puck and fed it back to Sarauer who wristed it home for a 2-0 Chiefs lead after one.

While Florida looked to be unraveling at the end of the first period, some serious regrouping was done during the first intermission. Johnstown had a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:25 to start the middle frame, but stellar goaltending by Leggio kept the Chiefs from converting. Florida's offense got into gear after the shorthanded situation and scored four unanswered goals to take the 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play. Colin Nicholson, Mark Lee, Kevin Baker, and Milan Gajic accounted for the Blades' goals in the second with Lee's coming on the power play. Gajic's goal chased starter Ian Keserich from the game, and he was replaced by Kyle Gajewski.

Gajewski played valiantly in the third period as he kept the Blades off of the board by turning aside each of the 14 shots he faced. However, Johnstown couldn't find a way to generate chances against Florida's trapping style that it employed to protect its two-goal lead. The Chiefs were held to three shots on goal in the final frame, even though they pulled Gajewski for the extra attacker with 1:45 left in regulation.

Keserich made 19 saves in sustaining the loss while the Chiefs went 1-for-8 on the power play.

Mark your calendars! The Chiefs are back on home ice on Wednesday, March 4 when they host the Wheeling Nailers. The Chiefs will also be holding their second annual "Pups and Pucks" night where fans can bring their dogs to the War Memorial and enjoy the game from the special dog section. Good seats are available, but going quickly! Act fast and be sure to get your seat by calling 814-539-1799 or 814-536-5156.



ECHL Stories from February 27, 2009


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