Weekly Arrowhead

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


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs suffered three consecutive one-goal losses last week, preventing them from picking up their first win of the season. This week the Chiefs finish out a stretch of five consecutive games on the road with trips to Cincinnati and Wheeling on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Record: 0-6-1, 1 pts., 4th place East Division,

Leaders:

Goals - Connor Shields: 3

Assists - Mike Bartlett, Matt Robinson, Ryan Menei: 3

Points - Mike Bartlett: 5

+/- - Connor Shields, Sean Berkstresser: 2

PIMs - Sean Berkstresser: 15

PPG - Mike Knight, Ryan Del Monte, Trevor Hendrikx: 1

SHG -

Wins -

GAA - Shane Connelly: 3.24

SVP - Kris Mayotte:.894

This Week:

11/5 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. - Home (0-1-0), Away (0-0-0)

The Chiefs will pay Cincinnati a visit for the first time this season and try to slow down the Cyclones who are off to a 4-2-0 start. The former division rivals met in Johnstown for the Chiefs' home opener on October 17 and Cincinnati came away with a 2-0 win thanks to shorthanded goals by Doug Krantz and Chris Mueller. Rookie goalie Jeremy Smith shut the Chiefs out in his first pro start that night. The Chiefs will be playing their first game at U.S. Bank Arena since a 6-0 setback on April 4, 2009. That loss knocked the Chiefs out of playoff contention on the final day of the regular season. Cincinnati is led by rookie Matt Pierce with six goals and eight points in six games.

11/7 at Wheeling, 7:35 p.m. - Home (0-0-0), Away (0-0-0)

Johnstown finishes its stretch of five consecutive games away from the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial with its first trip to Wheeling of the season. The Chiefs split a pair of preseason games with the Nailers as each team won in the other's building. Johnstown took a 2-1 win in Wheeling on October 7 via the shootout while Wheeling won 3-2 in Johnstown on October 10. Wheeling boasts the ECHL's third best offense with 28 goals in nine games, but its defense has given up a league-worst 39 goals.

Day by Day:

Mon. 11/2: Off

Tues. 11/3: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Wed. 11/4: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Thurs. 11/5: Chiefs at Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:30 p.m.

Fri. 11/6: Off

Sat. 11/7: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 7:35 p.m.

Sun. 11/8: Off

Broadcast Schedule:

Thurs. 11/5: Chiefs at Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:30 p.m. - radio and internet

Sat. 11/7: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 7:35 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. All game broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to faceoff with the Chiefs Pregame Show presented by UPMC.

Last Week: (0-3-0)

10/30 at Trenton: L 2-3

The Chiefs' losing streak in Trenton was extended to six games with last Friday's defeat. Trenton built a three-goal lead with goals from Dan Eves (8:52, 1st per.), David Leaderer (1:01, 2nd per.) and Tony Zancanaro (7:53, 2nd per.). Zancanaro's goal chased starter Kris Mayotte from the net, and in relief Shane Connelly was perfect in turning aside 12 shots. The Chiefs' offense picked it up with goals from Mike Bartlett (8:55, 2nd per.) and Jim McKenzie (19:32, 3rd per.), but could not totally close the gap. McKenzie's goal came in his Chiefs' debut with Connelly pulled for the extra attacker.

10/31 at Reading: L 3-4

In a very evenly played game, a 14-second span midway through the first period proved to be the Chiefs' undoing. Reading's Stefano Giliati (9:03, 1st per.) and Scott Fletcher (9:17, 1st per.) scored back-to-back goals and built an advantage that the Chiefs couldn't overcome. One minute after Fletcher's goal, Greg Gallagher notched his first of the season off of a great set up from Dan Collins from behind the Reading net. The teams traded goals in the second and third period leaving the Chiefs unable to pull even. Trevor Henrikx scored his first of the season (16:33, 2nd per.) and Jim McKenzie scored on a breakaway (13:55, 3rd per.) for his second goal in as many games. McKenzie also assisted on Hendrikx' goal for his first multi-point game of the season.

11/1 at Reading: L 2-3

Playing their third game in as many days, the Chiefs game out strong against Reading last Sunday and controlled the pace of play for much of the afternoon. It would be Reading, though, that broke through first with a power play goal by Danick Bouchard (15:08, 1st per.). Chiefs rookie Connor Shields had a breakout performance with a pair of goals (19:02, 1st per. & 12:36, 2nd per.) to pace the Chiefs' attack. However, an Eric Werner breakaway goal (6:10, 2nd per.) and Olivier Labelle's first goal of the season (10:04, 3rd per.) allowed for Reading to win its second straight game against the Chiefs.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

Assists: J. McKenzie - 2 games (2A) 10/31-11/1

Points: J. McKenzie - 3 games (2G, 2A) 10/31-11/1

Quick Hits:

- Johnstown has lost four games this season by one goal. Last season, the Chiefs did not end up with their fourth one-goal loss until 12/12/08 with a 2-1 loss in Trenton.

- The Chiefs are averaging 34 shots on goal per game over their last three games.

- Trevor Hendrikx scored his first goal of the season 10/31/09 in just his second game. Last season Hendrikx didn't post his first goal until his eighth game on 11/29/08.

- Johnstown is the least penalized team in the East Division (117 PIMs) and only Cincinnati (84), Gwinnett (108) and Charlotte (94) have fewer penalty minutes in the American Conference.

Twice is Nice: A pair of Chiefs posted their first two-point game of the season on 10/31 at Reading. Jim McKenzie, in just his second game with the team, set up a power play goal by Trevor Hendrikx and scored his own on a breakaway in the third period. Matt Robinson, meanwhile, also assisted on Hendrikx' goal along with helping set up Greg Gallagher's first of the season. With four points in three games, McKenzie is well on pace to top his previous career best of 19 points (9G, 10A) in 43 games with the Elmira Jackals in 2007-08. Robinson had one two-point and one three-point game last season before a knee injury ended his season early.

Connor Cashes In: Rookie winger Connor Shields has been the surprise of the season in the early goings of 2009-10. The 25-year-old forward from Edmonton, Alberta leads the Chiefs in goals with three, and in plus/minus at plus two while playing in six of the team's seven games. Shields scored both of the Chiefs' goals in their 3-2 loss in Reading on November 1. It was Shields' first multi-goal game as a pro. He is coming off of a four-year career at Dartmouth College where he notched 49 points (19G, 30A) for the Big Green. Shields scored his first pro goal 10/24 against Elmira in Johnstown.

Mark Your Calendars! Don't forget about these upcoming home games:

- Wednesday, October 11 vs. Reading - 7:35 p.m.

o Post-Veterans' Day Parade Celebration and Jersey Auction. Military veterans and active members will be honored during a pregame ceremony, and can purchase tickets for the game for just $5! The Chiefs will also be wearing special camouflage jerseys that will be auctioned off live immediately following the game. Don't forget it's a special 7:35 start time.

- Friday, November 13 vs. Wheeling - 7:05 p.m.

o Dollar Dog Friday courtesy of SMG. Hot dogs are just $1 to everyone in attendance! Also don't forget about Em's Friday Meal Deal. For $10 you get and Em's Sub, a drink, a bag of chips and a voucher good for that Friday's Chiefs game. Available at all five Em's locations.

- Wednesday, November 25 vs. Reading - 7:05 p.m.

o Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack Night #1 - Courtesy of Wendy's, families of four can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks, and four boxes of popcorn for just 44!

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ECHL Stories from November 2, 2009


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