Weekly Arrowhead

Published on March 2, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs wrapped up their non-divisional schedule last week with three contests in Estero, Florida against the Everblades. From here on out it's all North Division for Johnstown, and the final month of the season kicks off with a busy four-game-in-five-day stretch this week. That slate features two home and two road games against teams the Chiefs are tied with for second place entering this week.

Record: 31-22-3, 65 pts., 2nd place North Division

Leaders:

Goals - Jarrett Konkle (total): 28

Petr Pohl (team): 25

Assists - Petr Pohl: 31

Points - Petr Pohl: 56

+/- - Ryan Del Monte: +18

PIMs - Alex Penner: 105

PPG - Jarrett Konkle (total): 12

Petr Pohl (team): 7

SHG - Jarrett Konkle: 3

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 18

GAA - Kris Mayotte: 2.70

SVP - Kris Mayotte: .912

This Week:

3/4 vs. Wheeling, 7:05 p.m. - Home (1-3-0), Away (3-0-0)

The Chiefs start a stretch of four games in five days this Wednesday when they host the Wheeling Nailers. That game begins a stretch for Johnstown that will see it play Wheeling five out of its next seven games. Two of the five will be played at the War Memorial where the Chiefs have beaten Wheeling only once this season. That win was a 5-2 victory on Feb. 15 and was the first time the Chiefs were able to contain the high-scoring Nailers at home. In its three losses to Wheeling at home Johnstown's goals-against average is 4.00. Wednesday's game marks the Chiefs' second-annual "Pups and Pucks" night where Chiefs fans can bring their dogs with them to the game. Our special dog section will be section nine, and anyone bringing a dog must have a ticket for that section. Anyone who already purchased tickets to the game but wants to bring their dog can exchange their ticket for one in section nine. Gittler's Aquarium and Aviary is sponsoring a doggy bag giveaway to the first 50 dogs through the door.

3/6 & 3/7 at Wheeling, 7:35 p.m. & 8:07 p.m. - Home (1-3-0), Away (3-0-0)

Johnstown will look to keep its road record in Wheeling perfect over a pair of games this Friday and Saturday. Johnstown has not skated as WesBanco Arena since a 7-3 win on Dec. 19, and this weekend will be the only time this season that the Chiefs play back-to-back in Wheeling. Johnstown enters this week tied with Wheeling for second place in the North Division, but has one game in hand over its western rival. The Nailers enter play this week on a two-game winning streak, but is 4-6-0 over its last ten games. Johnstown is looking to improve on the road where it has won only twice during the 2009 calendar year.

3/8 vs. Elmira, 2:35 p.m. - Home (4-1-1), Away (1-3-0)

The Chiefs will try to keep up their home dominance against the Jackals in a Sunday matinee. After beating Elmira at home only once last season, the Chiefs are winning at a 67-percent clip at the War Memorial against them this season. Johnstown's six-goal outburst two Sundays ago against Elmira was the highest scoring period for the team this season. The Jackals are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and are also tied with Johnstown and Wheeling for second place with 65 points, but have also played one more game than Johnstown entering this week. Sunday is our third, and final, AmeriServ Sellout Challenge of the season. If the crowd reaches or passes 3,880 everyone in attendance is going home with a free ticket to a future home game!

Day by Day:

Mon. 3/2: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 12:00 noon

Tues. 3/3: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 11:00 a.m.

Wed. 3/4: Chiefs vs. Wheeling, 7:05 p.m.

Thurs. 3/5: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 11:00 a.m.

Fri. 3/6: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 7:35 p.m.

Sat. 3/7: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 8:07 p.m.

Sun. 3/8: Chiefs vs. Elmira Jackals, 2:35 p.m.

Broadcast Schedule:

Wed. 3/4: Chiefs vs. Wheeling, 7:05 p.m. - radio and internet

Fri. 3/6: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 7:35 p.m. - radio and internet

Sat. 3/7: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 8:07 p.m. - radio and internet

Sun. 3/8: Chiefs vs. Elmira Jackals, 2:35 p.m. - radio and internet

All Chiefs radio broadcasts can be heard on 1490 AM WNTJ and AM 990 WNTW, and live streaming audio of every Chiefs game is available courtesy of B2 Networks at www.johnstownchiefs.com or www.echl.com. The Chiefs radio network is presented by Dodge.

Last Week: (0-3-0)

2/25 at Florida: L 4-3

Kevin Baker scored the game winning goal with 1:25 left in regulation. Johnstown got power play goals from Jarrett Konkle and Blair Yaworski. Yaworski's power play goal at 8:21 of the second put Johnstown ahead 3-2, but Baker tied it at 12:58 leading up to the third-period dramatics. Johnstown scored on all-star goalie David Leggio three times in spite of getting just 17 shots on net in the game.

2/27 at Florida: L 4-2

Johnstown had a 2-0 lead after the first on goals by Jarrett Konkle and Andrew Sarauer. In the second, though, Florida countered with four goals and chased Ian Keserich from the net. Kyle Gajewski made 15 saves in relief, but the Chiefs offense couldn't recharge its attack.

2/28 at Florida: L 4-1

Florida held a 3-0 advantage before Kyle Bushee put the Chiefs on the board with a power play goal at 4:53 of the third. Andrew Sarauer had a chance to get Johnstown within one with a penalty shot, but couldn't convert and the Blades added one more for insurance in dealing the Chiefs their third consecutive loss. Kyle Gajewski made his second start of the season for Johnstown and turned in a strong performance despite the loss. He turned in 36 saves, including several key saves in an early Florida 5-on-3 power play.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

- None

Assists:

- Toby LaFrance; 2/22-2/28: 4 gms (4A)

- Ray Macias; 10/30-11/2: 3 gms (4A)

Points:

- Andrew Sarauer; 2/8-2/28: 10 gms (5G, 6A)

- Toby LaFrance; 2/22-2/28: 4 gms (1G, 4A)

- Ray Macias; 10/30-11/2: 4 gms (1G, 4A)

Quick Hits:

- Johnstown has scored a power play goal in its last six games

- Kyle Gajewski is 1-1-0 for Johnstown with a 3.40 GAA and a .917 SVP

- Andrew Sarauer has a season high 10-game point streak (5G, 6A) since returning from Lake Erie (AHL)

- Johnstown's three consecutive losses last week was only the second time that has happened this season.

- Jarrett Konkle has seven points (4G, 3A) in his last four games

Road Woes: Johnstown hasn't been treated very well by the road since the calendar turned to 2009. In 10 games the Chiefs are 2-8-0 away from the War Memorial with the wins coming against Elmira on Jan. 9 (1-0) and February 8 against Dayton (2-1). While the recent road performance might be alarming, Chiefs fans can take solace in that five of those losses have been at the hands of the second and third best home teams in the ECHL. Trenton, which has 19 home wins, knocked off Johnstown on Jan. 14 and 24 while Florida, 20 home wins, upended Johnstown in three games from Feb. 25-28. Johnstown's road record for the season sits at 13-13-0, but the Chiefs still boast the North Division's best road defense with a 2.80 goals-against average. Johnstown's road defense is second best in the entire ECHL behind South Carolina and Alaska which have a road GAA of 2.78.

Powering Up: Long gone are the memories of Johnstown's 0-for-38 streak on the power play from January that garnered much attention because the Chiefs have been in one heck of a groove with the man advantage. Over its six-game streak with at least one power play goal, the Chiefs are operating at an 11-for-41 (26.8 percent) clip. Jarrett Konkle has led the charge with three power play goals while Andrew Sarauer is close behind with two. Johnstown's best performance of the season on the power play came in the 7-4 victory against Elmira on Feb. 22 when Johnstown went 4-for-9.

Save the Date:

This is a reminder regarding some of the Chiefs' big promotions/events coming up in the near future.

- March 4 - Pups and Pucks Night: For the second year in a row the War Memorial will be going to the dogs. Dog owners throughout the area are invited to bring their "best friend" to enjoy an exciting night.

- March 8 - AmeriServ Sellout Challenge #3: It's your last chance to sell out the arena and get free tickets to a future Chiefs game!

- March 13 - "Lucky 13" Ticket Night: On the superstitiously bad luck Friday the 13th the Chiefs play on, Chiefs fans can get lucky with cheap tickets! Any seat in section 13 or any seat numbered 13 in the arena can be purchased for just $13 on that night. This offer is available through advance ticket purchase by calling the Chiefs' office at 814-539-1799.

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