Weekly Arrowhead

Published on December 14, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs are looking to rebound this week after a pair of setbacks last weekend. They will have plenty of opportunities to make amends with another stretch of four games in five days as Christmas approaches.

Record: 8-11-5, 21 pts., 4th place East Division

Leaders:

Goals - Connor Shields: 12

Assists - Ryan Menei/Troy Schwab: 17

Points - Troy Schwab: 23

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

PIMs - David Schulz: 66

PPG - Connor Shields: 6

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 5

GAA - Shane Connelly: 3.88

SVP - Kris Mayotte: .888

This Week:

12/16 vs. Reading, 7:05 p.m. - Home (3-0-0), Away (1-2-0)

Reading has become quite a familiar opponent for the Chiefs with, including Wednesday's game, four out of their last 10 home games coming against the Royals. The Chiefs have continued their strong play on home ice against the Royals this season stretching their home winning streak against their in-state rivals to 10 games dating back to February 27, 2008. The Royals' last win in Johnstown was on January 27, 2008; a 3-1 victory on the strength of two goals by Kevin Saurette. Since Johnstown's 4-2 win in Reading on November 29, the Royals have earned a 4-1-1 record and moved to the top of the East Division standings. Wednesday will feature the third Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack of the season. $44 gets you four tickets, drinks, hot dogs, and popcorn boxes. Also, to honor the accomplishments of the Bishop McCort football team all McCort students, faculty, and alumni can get tickets to the game for just $5!

12/18 vs. Toledo, 7:05 p.m. & 12/19 @ Toledo, 7:00 - Home (0-0-0), Away (0-0-0)

This weekend's home-and-home series against Toledo marks the first-ever meeting(s) between the Chiefs and the expansion Walleye. Toledo's new team replaces the former Storm which played at the Toledo Sports Arena up until the completion of the 2006-07 ECHL season. The last time the Chiefs and Storm met was on April 4, 2007 in Johnstown with Toledo coming away with a 3-1 victory. The Walleye enter the week on a three-game winning streak sitting in third place in the North Division with 28 points (12-10-4 record) through 26 games. Toledo is led by defenseman J.C. Sawyer with 25 points (10G, 15A), and goalie Alec Richards with a 6-3-3 record. On Friday night the Chiefs are asking all fans to bring boxes of cartoon band-aids to be given to the Brent's Band-Aids charity. Each box of band-aids will be worth one free child's ticket to that night's game. Best of all, there is no limit to how many tickets you can get!

12/20 at Elmira, 4:05 p.m. - Home (0-0-2), Away (0-1-0)

First Arena has not been a friendly venue for visitors this season as the Jackals have built a 6-1-3 record on home ice. The Chiefs were one of those victims back on October 23 with Elmira picking up a 7-4 win. That game was closer than the final score would indicate as the Chiefs battled back from a 4-0 deficit to pull within 5-4 with 31 seconds left to play. Elmira, though, would distance itself with a pair of empty net goals from Olivier Proulx and Tyler Donati. Last season Johnstown was 3-3-0 in Elmira, but won its final two of the season at First Arena in dramatic fashion (3/20: 3-2 in SO & 3/21: 5-4 in OT).

Day by Day:

Mon. 12/14: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Tues. 12/15: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Wed. 12/16: Chiefs vs. Reading Royals, 7:05 p.m. - Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack

Thurs. 12/17: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Fri. 12/18: Chiefs vs. Toledo Walleye, 7:05 p.m. - Brent's Band-Aids Night

Sat. 12/19: Chiefs at Toledo Walleye, 7:00 p.m.

Sun. 12/20: Chiefs at Elmira Jackals, 4:05 p.m.

Broadcast Schedule:

Wed. 12/16: Chiefs vs. Reading Royals, 7:05 p.m. - radio and internet

Fri. 12/18: Chiefs vs. Toledo Walleye, 7:05 p.m. - radio and internet

Sat. 12/19: Chiefs at Toledo Walleye, 7:00 p.m. - radio and internet

Sun. 12/20: Chiefs at Elmira Jackals, 4:05 p.m. - internet only

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: (0-1-1)

12/11 vs. Elmira: SOL 4-5

Johnstown let another third period lead slip away against Elmira last Friday, but earned a point for making it to overtime and eventually fell in the shootout. After Elmira's Mat Robinson opened the scoring at 14:14 of the first, Bryan Marshall tied it with just four ticks remaining in the first. R.J. Anderson and Sean Berkstresser tacked on a pair in the second to stretch the lead to 3-1, and Moises Gutierrez notched his fourth of the season just under four minutes into the third. The Jackals' Brett Gallant, Justin Donati, and Chris Korchinski responded within a five minute span roughly halfway through the period to tie the game. In overtime, Johnstown valiantly killed off 3:38 of Elmira power play time to reach the shootout, but Max Gratchev, Justin Donati, and Chanse Fitzpatrick would best the lone shootout goal by Gutierrez and pick up the second point.

12/12 vs. Gwinnett: L 3-7

Saturday's game started in promising fashion with the Chiefs getting a seven minute power play due to Matt Siddall attacking Moises Gutierrez after a check along the boards. But Johnstown couldn't convert on the extended power play and Gwinnett's Tom Zanoski gave the visitors a lead they wouldn't relinquish at the 5:39 mark. From there the Gladiators stretched the lead to 5-0 thanks to a three-goal second period and an early power play goal in the third. The Chiefs pulled to within 6-3 when their special teams play got on track. Chris Zarb netted his first shorthanded goal of the season at 2:13 of the third and that was followed by power play goals from Connor Shields and Jim McKenzie. But Gwinnett added an empty net goal with eight seconds left to play to set the final score.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

None

Assists:

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

R. Menei; 2 gms (2A); 12/11-12/12

Points:

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

R. Menei; 2 gms (2A); 12/11-12/12

Quick Hits:

Johnstown has the best penalty kill on home ice in the ECHL at 91.5 percent (54-for-59).

Connor Shields is tied for the league lead with six power play goals.

After Wednesday the Chiefs won't play Reading again until Feb. 28, 2010 in Reading. The next home game against the Royals is scheduled for March 12, 2010.

Troy Schwab has the third highest point per game average (1.21) among rookies.

Sean Berkstresser has nine points (6G, 3A) in his last 10 games.

Mark Your Calendar:

12/16: Chiefs vs. Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. ET - Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack & Bishop McCort Pride Night

$44 gets you four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks, and four boxes of popcorn! As a salute to the Bishop McCort football team making the state championship game all McCort students, faculty and alumni can purchase tickets to Wednesday's game for $5

12/18: Chiefs vs. Toledo Walleye at 7:05 p.m. ET - Brent's Band-Aids benefit night and Sellout Challenge

Bring a box of cartoon band-aids and get a free children's ticket to that night's game! Also, if attendance reaches or passes 3,880 everyone gets a coupon for a free ticket to a future Chiefs home game.

12/26: Chiefs vs. Trenton Devils at 7:05 p.m. ET - Youth Hockey Appreciation Night

All area youth hockey players who wear their jersey to the game can get in free of charge and their parents can purchase a ticket along with them for $8.

12/31: Chiefs vs. Elmira Jackals at 6:05 p.m. ET - New Year's Eve Celebration

Come join the Chiefs for their annual New Year's Eve Game as they try to take down the rival Jackals. Keep in mind the early start time so you can kick off your New Year's celebrations with us!

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



ECHL Stories from December 14, 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