Johnson's Hat Trick Not Enough, Express Fall 7-6 in OT
February 12, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release
Greenville, SC - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, scored six goals, including a hat trick from RW Chaz Johnson, but fell 7-6 in OT to the Greenville Road Warriors at the BI-LO Center on Sunday afternoon.
On their third straight power play of the first period, the Road Warriors struck for the game's first goal. C Brendan Connolly took a pass on top of the right circle and snapped a shot over the shoulder of G Peter Mannino to give Greenville a 1-0 lead at 15:36. Chicago game right back, as F Maxime Gratchev blasted a shot into the top left corner of the cage as the Express evened the game at 1-1 just 21 seconds later. Chicago was unable to hold the momentum, however, as a defensive zone turnover saw F Marc-Olivier Vallerand bury a rebound, and Greenville took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Road Warriors increased the lead to 3-1, and F Sean Berkstresser rifled a pass to F Bretton Cameron on a 3-on-2 rush, and Cameron tapped the pass home at 7:02 of the frame. Less than two minutes later, with Chicago on the power play, F Pierre-Luc Faubert corralled a rebound on a shot from D Scott Wietecha and lifted it over G Jason Missiaen to bring the Express back to within one. D Josh Burrows then evened the score at 10:17 as RW Tyler Donati found him on the back door of a 2-on-1 rush, tying the game at 3-3. 59 seconds later, Johnson hammered a shot into the back of the net from the top of slot, as Chicago scored three goals in 2:27 to gain a 4-3 lead after two periods.
Chicago's lead was quickly erased, as Greenville scored two goals in the first 4:04 of the third period to regain a 5-4 lead over the Chicago Express. Johnson then found the back of the net for his second goal of the night, one-timing a pass from Donati and bringing the Express back even at 5:03. Johnson completed the hat trick 1:02 later, snapping a loose puck over the shoulder of Missiaen and restoring Chicago's lead. Connolly tied the game once more for Greenville with his second of the night, sending the game into the extra frame. With just 37 seconds left in overtime, D Jyri Niemi blasted a slap shot home, to lift Greenville to the 7-6 overtime victory.
Power plays: CHI: 2/6; GRN: 1/6
Three stars: 1. J. Niemi (GRN); 2. B. Connolly (GRN); 3. C. Johnson (CHI)
Notes:
Chicago is now 0-6-2-2 against the South Division... D Scott Wietecha extended his points streak to six games with his two assists. He has five goals and four assists in that span... Chicago ended their six game trip with a 3-2-1-0 record... RW Chaz Johnson picked up three goals in the game, for the second hat trick in Chicago Express history.
The Express return home against the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday, February 17. That game is a dollar Friday, featuring one dollar beers and one dollar hot dogs.
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