Weekly Arrowhead

Published on November 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs won three of four game last week to pull their record within two games of.500. This week the Chiefs will try to keep the momentum rolling as they take on their longtime rival, the Wheeling Nailers, in three games over a span of four days.

Record: 7-9-3, 17 pts., 4th place East Division

Leaders:

Goals - Connor Shields: 10

Assists - Ryan Menei: 13

Points - Connor Shields/Mike Bartlett/Ryan Menei: 17

+/- - R.J. Anderson: +5

PIMs - David Schulz: 54

PPG - Connor Shields: 5

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 5

GAA - Shane Connelly: 3.51

SVP - Kris Mayotte:.889

This Week:

12/2 & 12/4 vs. Wheeling, 7:05 p.m. & 12/5 at Wheeling, 7:35 p.m. - Home (0-0-1), Away (1-0-1)

The games so far this season between the Chiefs and Nailers have been dramatic and entertaining, if nothing else, and have set the stage for what should be an exciting week of hockey. Each time the teams have met this season the game has gone to overtime and neither team has been able to hold a lead for the entire game. The clubs are also combining to average 8.3 goals per game when they meet. Johnstown won the most recent contest by a score of 6-5 in Wheeling on November 14, and the win snapped a six-game losing streak at the hands of the Nailers. The Chiefs will by trying to slow down Wheeling's Thomas Beauregard who has six points (4G, 2A) in three games against them this season, while Johnstown's Connor Shields will look to improve on his four points (1G, 3A) against the Nailers. The Chiefs will be offering the Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack (Four tickets, hot dogs, drinks, and popcorn boxes for $44) for the second time this season on Dec. 2, and on Dec. 4 it is the annual Cool 101.7 Toy Toss to benefit Toys for Tots.

Day by Day:

Mon. 11/30: Off

Tues. 12/1: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Wed. 12/2: Chiefs vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:05 p.m.

Thurs. 12/3: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Fri. 12/4: Chiefs vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:05 p.m.

Sat. 12/5: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailer,s 7:35 p.m.

Sun. 12/6: Off

Broadcast Schedule:

Wed. 12/2: Chiefs vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:05 p.m.- internet only

Fri. 12/4: Chiefs vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:05 p.m. - internet only

Sat. 12/5: 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. The Chiefs' Pregame Show presented by UPMC kicks off coverage of each game 15 minutes prior to faceoff.

Last Week: (3-1-0)

11/25 vs. Readling: W 6-3

Mike Bartlett (2G, 1A) had a hand in three of the Chiefs' six goals in the win and Kris Mayotte turned in 27 saves to win his second straight start. Bartlett's two first period goals were answered by Reading's Daniel Steiner and Andrew Sarauer and left the game tied at two after the first. Connor Shields helped get the Chiefs back ahead by two with a goal at 3:29 of the second and then by setting up Jim McKenzie's power play goal at 16:08. R.J. Anderson added to the Chiefs' lead at 17:55 of the third, but Dinos Stamoulis brought the Royals back with in two 20 seconds later. For the last bit of insurance Jarrett Konkle tossed in an empty net goal at 18:58.

11/27 vs. South Carolina: L 1-5

The Stingrays' win last Friday snapped the Chiefs' three-game home unbeaten streak (2-0-1), and evened the season-series at one game apiece. High-scoring rookie Nikita Kashirsky netted a goal for the visitors just 50 seconds into the game, and the Chiefs wouldn't get any closer than two goals the rest of the way out. Jake Hauswirth, Dylan Yeo, Rob Ricci, and Matt Fornataro also cashed in for the Rays. Sean Berkstresser potted his first power play goal of the season 2:29 into the third period to bring the Chiefs within two at 3-1. The Chiefs posted their highest shot total of the season with 46, but rookie goalie Braden Holtby turned in a strong performance with 45 saves. Shane Connelly took the loss in net for the Chiefs.

11/28 vs. Reading: W 6-3

Just like the last game against Reading, it was Mike Bartlett's night to shine as he posted another two-goal, one-assist night and helped lead the Chiefs to their third straight win over their in-state rivals. The Chiefs built leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period with goals from Connor Shields and Sean Berkstresser, but each time the Royals fought back to tie it. Bartlett gave the Chiefs the lead for good with a power play goal with 1:02 left to go in the first, and Bryan Marshall netted the eventual game winner with a shorthanded tally just over five minutes into the second period. Bartlett added an even strength goal at 9:11 of the third for his third point and Marshall's empty netter with 49 seconds left rounded out the scoring. Kris Mayotte turned in 33 saves for his fourth win of the season.

11/29 at Reading: W 4-2

Despite playing their fourth game in five days and only having 15 skaters available for Sunday's game, the Chiefs came out with a strong first-period effort and rode a three-goal outburst to the 4-2 victory. Over a span of 2:19 near midway through the first, Troy Schwab, Dan Collins, and Ryan Menei found the back of the net and staked the Chiefs to the lead. Greg Scott late in the first and Ben Gordon early in the second pulled Reading back within one, but Menei set up Greg Gallagher late in the second to re-up the Chiefs' two goal lead. Johnstown only allowed Reading seven shots in the third and Mayotte turned aside each one he faced for his fifth win.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

None

Assists:

M. Knight; 2 gms (2A); 11/7-11/11

Points:

M. Knight; 2 gms (1G, 2A), 11/7-11/11 C. Shields; 6 gms (3G, 4A); 11/22-11/30 J. McKenzie; 2 gms (1G, 1A); 11/22-11/25 T. Schwab; 2 gms (1G, 1A); 11/29-11/30

Quick Hits:

Johnstown's streak of games with a power play goal ended at 10 on Nov. 29 at Reading as they went 0-for-2 with the man advantage. Over the streak the Chiefs were clicking at 31 percent (18-for-58) on the power play. Kris Mayotte is unbeaten in his last four starts and has a goals-against average of 2.25 over the streak. He is 5-5-2 on the season. Johnstown has given up just one power play goal on home ice in seven games this season. The Chiefs were perfect in five games until S. Carolina went 1-for-2 on Nov. 27. Including the game on Feb. 27, 2008 the Chiefs have won 10 consecutive home games against Reading. Rookie forward Connor Shields is tied for second in the league with five power play goals. After a quarter of the season he's already half way to Petr Pohl's team-leading 10 from last season, and within seven of Jean Desrochers' 12 from two seasons ago.

Mark Your Calendar:

12/2: Chiefs vs. Wheeling at 7:05 p.m. ET - Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack.

For just $44 families can get four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks, and four boxes of popcorn. Orders can be placed through the Chiefs' office or at the War Memorial Box Office the night of the game

12/4: Chiefs vs. Wheeling at 7:05 p.m. ET - Cool 101.7 Toy Toss

All fans in attendance are asked to bring a new or used stuffed animal in good condition with them to the game. After the Chiefs score their first goal of the game everyone gets to throw the toys onto the ice. All of the toys that are tossed will be donated to the Marines' Toys For Tots drive.

12/11: Chiefs vs. Elmira Jackals at 7:05 p.m. ET - Team Poster Schedule Giveaway

All fans in attendance will get a free team poster schedule to take home.

12/12: Chiefs vs. Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. ET - Ladies Night

$8.00 tickets are available for all the women in attendance and the Chiefs will be giving away free Bic Ladies' razors.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from November 30, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central