Weekly Arrowhead

March 16, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs had themselves back in first place for a minute last week thanks to a big win over Cincinnati on Friday. But after dropping a pair to Wheeling, the Chiefs are right back in the dogfight that is the North Division. This week features three games in as many days against the Elmira Jackals who are one point behind the Chiefs in the standings.

Record: 34-25-4, 72 pts., T-3rd place North Division

Leaders:

Goals - Jarrett Konkle (total): 29

Petr Pohl (team): 27

Assists - Petr Pohl: 36

Points - Petr Pohl: 63

+/- - Ryan Del Monte: +19

PIMs - Alex Penner: 134

PPG - Jarrett Konkle (total): 12

Petr Pohl (team): 8

SHG - Jarrett Konkle: 3

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 19

GAA - Kris Mayotte: 2.71

SVP - Kris Mayotte: .912

This Week:

3/20 & 3/21 at Elmira, 7:35 p.m.; 3/22 vs. Elmira, 2:35 p.m. - Home (5-1-1), Away (1-3-0)

The Chiefs visit the Jackals for the final times this season on Friday and Saturday. Johnstown won the last meeting between the clubs, 5-4, on March 8 in Johnstown, but Elmira won 1-0 in the Chiefs' last trip to First Arena on Feb. 6. Goals have not been easy to come by for either team in games at First Arena this season. Three of the four games were won with a shutout, and Johnstown picking up one of them. Ian Keserich was in net for Johnstown in each of the shutouts and has a 1-2-0 record in those cases. Sunday, the scene switches back to Johnstown for the weekend finale. Even though there has been more scoring between the teams in Johnstown than Elmira, the games are still decided by a narrow margin. Both of Elmira's wins at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial have been by one goal, while the Chiefs are averaging a 1.8 margin of victory in their five wins. Don't forget the promotions set for Sunday. Atlantic Broadband is sponsoring a kids' pack giveaway to the first 1,500 kids through the door. Also, it's the final post-game skate with the Chiefs session of the season.

Day by Day:

Mon. 3/16: Off

Tues. 3/17: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 11:00 a.m.

Wed. 3/18: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 11:00 a.m.

Thurs. 3/19: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 11:00 a.m.

Fri. 3/20: Chiefs at Elmira Jackals, 7:35 p.m.

Sat. 3/21: Chiefs at Elmira Jackals, 7:35 p.m.

Sun. 3/22: Chiefs vs. Elmira Jackals, 2:35 p.m. - Atlantic Broadband giveaway/skate with the Chiefs

Broadcast Schedule:

Fri. 3/20: Chiefs at Elmira Jackals, 7:35 p.m. - radio and internet

Sat. 3/21: Chiefs at Elmira Jackals, 7:35 p.m. - radio and internet

Sun. 3/22: 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: (1-1-1)

3/13 vs. Cincinnati: W 5-2

The line of Ryan Del Monte, Andrew Sarauer, and Wes Clark accounted for 60 percent of the Chiefs' offense in Friday's win. Del Monte had two goals, Sarauer a goal and two assists, and Clark added two assists. Petr Pohl and Andy Contois added markers as the Chiefs spoiled the return of their former goalie Ryan Nie. Nie, who won a record 29 games with Johnstown in 2007-08, hadn't played a game at the War Memorial since Cincinnati eliminated Johnstown from the playoffs on April 16, 2008. Sebastian Dahm earned the win for Johnstown with 28 saves in his home debut.

3/14 vs. Wheeling: L 8-5

The Chiefs held a 2-1 lead after the first period, but a five-goal outburst by Wheeling in the second period put Johnstown behind 6-3 heading to the third period. The teams traded two goals a side in the third period, and Johnstown ended up on the wrong end of the 8-5 decision. Blair Yaworski continued his mastery of the Nailers with a two-goal outing, and Jason Spence posted a goal and an assist for his first multi-point effort of the season.

3/15 at Wheeling: L 2-1 OT

Ian Keserich and David Brown put on a goaltending clinic throughout Sunday's matchup, and shooters didn't have much to go for. Trevor Hendrikx ended up being the first to break through as the defenseman put Johnstown up 1-0 at 13:35 of the second period. Johnstown totaled 19 shots in the second period, but only one found its way home. The lead would not hold up because Billy Ryan would net the tying goal 3:59 into the final frame. Johnstown was trying to get to the shootout, where it hasn't lost this season, with Wheeling pressing in the final minutes of overtime. With just 31 seconds left, Mitch Ganzak deposited a shot into the net from the high slot for the winner. Keserich ended the game with a hard-earned 25 saves.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

- None

Assists:

- Kyle Bushee; 3/14-3/15: 2 gms (3A)

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

Points:

- Kyle Bushee; 3/14-3/15: 2 gms (3A)

- Jarrett Konkle; 3/4-3/8: 2 gms (1G, 2A)

- Trevor Hendrikx; 3/14-3/15: 2 gms (1G, 1A)

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

Quick Hits:

- Johnstown has scored at least five goals in each of its last five home games (4-1-0).

- Chiefs play seven of their final nine games on the road.

- The OTL to Wheeling on 3/15 was the first time since Feb. 8 that the Chiefs picked up a standings point in a road game.

- Chiefs have not lost back-to-back home games since Jan. 2-3.

- The win over Cincinnati on 3/13 was Ian Herbers' 70th as coach of the Chiefs (70-55-10).

Ryan's Return: Third year pro, and second year Chief, Ryan Garlock had a slightly delayed return to the club this weekend. Garlock last skated for the Chiefs in a 7-3 win over Wheeling on Dec. 19, a game in which he had two goals. The next day the Iroquois Falls, Ontario native was recalled from his loan by the Syracuse Crunch. His second stint this season with the Crunch lasted 25 games and produced four goals and an assist. Garlock had goals in back-to-back games on Jan. 19 and 22 against Hamilton and Rochester, respectively. The center was loaned back to Johnstown on March 14, and was expected to dress for the game against Wheeling. Car trouble, however, kept him from making the game, and his return would have to wait until the next day in Wheeling. Once back in the lineup, Garlock's offensive abilities immediately paid dividends as he earned the primary assist on Trevor Hendrikx's goal and launched four shots on net.

Just Checking In: Five skaters who have seen regular ice time with the Chiefs this season are currently skating in the American Hockey League. Captain Randy Rowe has been the most productive member of the Chiefs at the "AAA" level. Rowe has had the lengthiest stay in the AHL of his career as he has appeared in 30 games with the Lake Erie Monsters. Over that time he has generated 11 points (6G, 5A) and is riding a five-game point streak (3G, 3A). Second-year pro Mike Bartlett is with Rowe in Lake Erie, but has cooled down after a hot start to his first career AHL stint. In his debut on Feb. 20, Bartlett had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Rockford, and in his third game he posted a goal in a 6-0 win over Syracuse. The Morton Grove, Illinois native has two goals and an assist in 11 games. Jon Landry (Syracuse) and Jarrett Konkle (Binghamton) were called up to the AHL two days apart on March 3 and 5, respectively. Konkle, like Bartlett, debuted in the AHL this season and has three points (1G, 2A) and a plus-two rating in six games with the Senators. Landry, meanwhile, has two assists in 14 games with the Crunch. Rounding out the stable of Chiefs in the AHL is all-star goalie Kris Mayotte. On a PTO with Bridgeport, Mayotte has gotten his second extended look in the American League this season. After going 1-1-1 (3.84, .843) with Hershey the Pittsburgh native is 2-1-0 for the Sound Tigers. He had back-to-back wins for the New York Islanders' "AAA" team on March 7 and 13 as he turned in 47 saves on 51 shots.

Save the Date:

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

- March 22 - Atlantic Broadband Kids' Pack Giveaway/Final skate with the Chiefs: Atlantic Broadband has put together giveaway packs that feature items from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon that the Chiefs' young fans are sure to enjoy! The first 1,500 kids through the door will get this giveaway. It will also be the final post-game skate with the Chiefs of the season. Everyone in attendance can come to ice level to skate with, meet, take photos with, and get autographs from their favorite Chiefs.

- March 28 - Fan Appreciation Day: Every season on the night of the final home game, the Chiefs do a little extra to show their appreciation to the best fans in the ECHL! We've got loads of free items to give away that night, and other fun events on tap. We hope that you'll join us for the final home game of 2008-09 and let the Chiefs show you just how much we appreciate your support.



ECHL Stories from March 16, 2009


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