Nie's 26th Win Sets Single-Season Win Record

March 28, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Johnstown Chiefs secured their third consecutive Kelly Cup Playoff berth with a 3-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night.

Johnstown got on the board in the first period with a goal by Alexandre Imbeault. Imbeault picked up his 21st goal of the season at the 13:35 mark with assists going to Randy Rowe and Mike Knight. The Chiefs held the upper hand throughout the first period, testing Peter Vetri with 11 shots to Wheeling's 7.

The Chiefs went right back to work at the onset of the second period. Wheeling's Matt Byrnes took a slashing minor 45 seconds into the frame, and Greg Gallagher maid him pay with his second goal of the season. Shawn Houde picked up his first professional point by adding an assist, and Mark Tobin assisted as well.

The Nailers started to swing some momentum back in their favor with an Aaron Clarke goal at the 9:10 mark. Jason Spence then took a slashing minor with 1:09 remaining putting the Nailers on the power play.

Randy Rowe would erase any momentum that the Nailers had built with an outstanding effort to net a shorthanded goal. Rowe stole the puck at the Johnstown blue line on the left wing, flipped the puck to open ice, and chased it down. As he criss-crossed with Alex Imbeault, Rowe left a drop pass and headed to the front of the net. Seamus Young was draped all over Rowe, but he was able to take Imbeault's pass and put it top shelf past Vetri to put the Chiefs back up by two goals.

Rowe's goal proved to be the difference maker, even though Greg Gallagher got credit for the game winner. The Nailers didn't have much jump in the third period, and the Chiefs made sure to protect their lead. The third went scoreless, in spite of multiple power play chances on both sides.

In picking up his record-breaking victory, Ryan Nie made 29 saves, allowing only the goal by Clarke. The Chiefs power play went 1-for-5 thanks to the goal by Gallagher.

The Chiefs return home on Saturday, March 29 to take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. The Chiefs will be holding their final Dodge Shootout of 2007-08 during the game. You could be the lucky fan to come to center ice and shoot for a brand new Dodge vehicle. Danny Oberst, of ESPN fame, will also be on hand for a special post-game autograph session. Then on Sunday, March 30, the Chiefs will take on the Trenton Devils at 5:05. Uni-Frist Corp. is sponsoring a Chiefs T-shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 fans through the door. Also, Johnstown's own classic rock band, The Desparados will be playing a pre/post-game concert in the Party Pit! Great seats are available for both games, and you can get yours by calling the War Memorial Box Office at 536-5156, or by going to www.johnstownchiefs.com.



ECHL Stories from March 28, 2008


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