Johnstown Chiefs Weekly Report

March 29, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


The Johnstown Chiefs (44-20-6; 94 PTS; T-3rd Northern div.) went 4-0-0 last week with wins over Atlantic City, Wheeling, Trenton and Cincinnati. The Chiefs remain tied for third place in the Northern division with Atlantic City. Atlantic City has one game in hand on the Chiefs. The Chiefs close out the regular season with games at Reading and Trenton this weekend. A playoff schedule will be released on Sunday.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS (home team in caps)

GAME #67 (3/24/04) Johnstown 5 - ATLANTIC CITY 2 Currie 36 Saves

The Johnstown Chiefs clinched a Kelly Cup playoff spot and moved into a tie for third place in the Northern division, with their 5-2 win, Wednesday night over the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies at Boardwalk Hall. The Chiefs led 2-1 after the second period, before Ian Manzano, Dominic Forget and Steve Hildenbrand scored third period goals. Dmitri Tarabrin and Jason Notermann scored first period goals for the Chiefs. Dave Reid and Paul Falco scored for Atlantic City. David Currie got his 18th win of the season making 38 saves. Scott Stirling made 13 saves for the Bullies.

GAME #68 (3/26/04) Johnstown 5 - WHEELING 3 Forget Two Assists

The Johnstown Chiefs posted their franchise record 18th road win of the season, with Friday's 5-3 win over the Wheeling Nailers at the WestBanco Arena. The Chiefs won the season series with a 6-3-0 record against the ECHL's best team. Five different Chiefs lit the lamp as P.L. Courchesne, Chris Leinweber, Jason Notermann, Larry Courville, and Brent Kelly all scored. Wheeling had a pair of goals from Mario Larocque and a Bogdan Rudkeno tally. Chiefs goaltender Dimitri Patzold got the win making 36 saves. Patzold was assigned to the Chiefs by the AHL Cleveland Barons earlier in the day. Nick Boucher made 22 saves for the Nailers.

GAME #69 (3/27/04) JOHNSTOWN 6 - Trenton 4 Courchesne Two Goals

P.L. Courchesne scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Johnstown Chiefs to a 6-4 victory over the visiting Trenton Titans, Saturday night at the War Memorial Arena. Chris Leinweber, Shawn Mather, Brent Kelly also scored for Johnstown. Chris Pittman scored twice for Trenton. Scott Bertoli and Robert Liscak also tallied for the Titans. Chiefs goaltender David Currie made 29 saves for his 19th win of the season. Peter Hamerlik suffered the loss for the Titans coming in relief of Andrew Allen in the second period making 9 saves. Allen made 4 saves, all in the first period.

GAME #70 (3/28/04) JOHNSTOWN 4 - Cincinnati 3 (OT) Kelly Goal, Two Assists

P.L. Courchesne scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Johnstown Chiefs to a 6-4 victory over the visiting Trenton Titans, Saturday night at the War Memorial Arena. Chris Leinweber, Shawn Mather, Brent Kelly also scored for Johnstown. Chris Pittman scored twice for Trenton. Scott Bertoli and Robert Liscak also tallied for the Titans. Chiefs goaltender David Currie made 29 saves for his 19th win of the season. Peter Hamerlik suffered the loss for the Titans coming in relief of Andrew Allen in the second period making 9 saves. Allen made 4 saves, all in the first period.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

Fri. Apr. 2 @ Reading Royals 7:00 p.m. Radio: WLYE 850-AM, WVSC 990-AM, and www.johnstownchiefs.com

The Chiefs will face the Reading Royals (35-25-10, 80 PTS; 5th Northern div.) Friday night at the Sovereign Center. The Chiefs are 6-3-0 against the Royals this season. Reading is currently in fifth place in the division. The Royals are 4-5-1 in their last ten games. Reading leads Trenton by one point for the fifth and final playoff spot in the division.

Sat. Apr. 3 @ Trenton Titans 7:05 p.m. Radio: WLYE 850-AM, WVSC 990-AM, and www.johnstownchiefs.com

The Chiefs close out the 2003-2004 regular season schedule Saturday night at Trenton (36-26-7, 79 PTS; 6th Northern div.) The Titans are currently in sixth place in the Northern division, trailing fifth place Reading by one point. Trenton is 7-3-0 in their last ten games. The Chiefs are 6-2-0 against the Titans this season and 12-15-2 all-time.

CHIEFS NOTES:

- The Chiefs have won five straight games on the road (3/12-Current).

- Larry Courville is currently on a ten game point streak (4g, 16 points).

- P.L. Courchesne is second among ECHL defensemen with 17 goals

- Brent Kelly has 4 goals and 8 points in his last five games.

CHIEFS TRANSACTIONS:

Mar. 22 Delete F, Bill Downey, waived
Mar. 22 Delete G, Shane Clifford, emergency back-up goaltender
Mar. 24 Add G, Brian Gratz, emergency back-up goaltender
Mar. 25 Delete G, Brian Gratz, emergency back-up goaltender
Mar. 26 Add G, Dimitri Patzold, assigned by San Jose (NHL)

TEAM LEADERS

Goals- Steve Hildenbrand (28)
Assists- Dominic Forget (37)
Points- Hildenbrand (61)
PIM- Jeff Sullivan (268)
PPG- P.L. Courchesne(10)
+/- - Ian Manzano (+13)
WINS- David Currie (19)
GAA- Currie (2.97)
Save %- Currie (0.901)

Power Play- 15.3%; 52 or 340 (23rd ECHL)
Penalty Kill- 87.8%; 266 for 303 (2nd ECHL)

PLAYOFF TICKETS

Playoff tickets are now on sale at the War Memorial Arena box office. Discounted playoff packages are also available by calling the Chiefs office at 539-1799.

The first round playoff schedule will be announced on Sunday, April 4th.



ECHL Stories from March 29, 2004


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