Weekly Arrowhead

Published on February 1, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - Last week started out promisingly for the Chiefs with a big road win, but fell short of expectations as they lost three in a row at home. This week provides another big opportunity for Johnstown to make a statement. A pair of home games against the defending champions highlights this week's schedule.

Record: 11-25-8, 30 pts., 4th place East Division,

Leaders:

Goals - Connor Shields: 18

Chanse Fitzpatrick (total): 21

Assists - Troy Schwab: 22

Points - Connor Shields: 36

Chanse Fitzpatrick (total): 38

+/- - Matthew Myers: +3

PIMs - Trevor Hendrikx: 107

PPG - Connor Shields: 8

SHG - Sean Berkstresser: 2

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 5

GAA - John Murray: 3.76

SVP - Kris Mayotte:.885

This Week:

2/3 at Trenton, 7:00 p.m. - Home (0-1-0), Away (1-3-0)

Including this Wednesday, three of Trenton's last five home games have been against the Chiefs. This week, the Chiefs will be taking on the Devils after they return home from a three game road trip to Florida. Trenton went 2-1-0 against the Everblades in the sunshine state, and is 4-3-1 over its last eight games. The Chiefs snapped a six game losing streak in Trenton with a 2-1 win on Dec. 30, but have dropped their last two there by scores of 4-2 and 6-3. In the 6-3 defeat on Jan. 27 the Devils broke open a close game with three straight goals in a span of 2:34 late in the second period. Chris Zarb (2A) and Jim McKenzie (1G, 1A) had big nights in that gamem for the Chiefs. After Wednesday's game, the Chiefs will have one game left on the schedule (March 24) in Trenton.

2/5 and 2/6 vs. South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - Home (0-1-0), Away (1-0-0)

On their six-game northern road trip the South Carolina Stingrays have gotten off to a shaky start, losing three in a row as part of a five-game losing streak overall. When the Rays and Chiefs take to the ice on Friday, the Chiefs will be looking for retribution after a 5-1 loss to the Stingrays in Johnstown on Nov. 27, 2009. That night the Chiefs launched 46 shots Braden Holtby's way but only Sean Berkstresser found the back of the net on the power play. Johnstown did knock off the Stingrays 7-1 in Charleston on Nov. 22, 2009 with a season-best seven goals. The Stingrays will bring former Chiefs goalie Shane Connelly to town as he signed a free agent deal with the club after being released by the Chiefs in December. He has gone 6-1-3 in his time with the defending champs.

Day by Day:

Mon. 2/1: Off

Tues. 2/2: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Wed. 2/3: Chiefs at Trenton Devils, 7:00 p.m.

Thurs. 2/4: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 12:00 noon.

Fri. 2/5: Chiefs vs. S. Carolina Stingrays, 7:05 p.m. - Facebook Friends Friday

Sat. 2/6: Chiefs vs. S. Carolina Stingrays, 7:05 p.m. - Pups and Pucks Night

Sun. 2/7: Off

Broadcast Schedule:

Wed. 2/3: Chiefs at Trenton Devils, 7:00 p.m. - radio and internet

Fri. 2/5: Chiefs vs. S. Carolina Stingrays, 7:05 p.m. - radio and internet

Sat. 2/6: Chiefs vs. S. Carolina Stingrays, 7:05 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: (1-3-0)

1/25 at Cincinnati: W 5-1

John Murray turned in a stellar performance in net, turning aside 46 shots, in helping the Chiefs pick up their second win in a row this season at U.S. Bank Arena. Five different Chiefs scored, including Jonathan Ralph for his first pro goal, while Troy Schwab (1G, 1A), Chris Zarb (1G, 1A), and Sean Berkstresser (1G, 1A) picked up two points on the night. The Chiefs never trailed in the game as Bryan Marshall scored at 18:09 of the first against his former team. The Chiefs had to survive an early firestorm as the Cyclones registered 14 shots in the first 10 minutes of play and had 1:16 of a 5-on-3 in the first few minutes.

1/29 vs. Charlotte: L 2-5

Jonathan Ralph's second goal in as many games and Connor Shields' first shorthanded goal of the season had the Chiefs ahead 2-0 after the first period. Charlotte, though, stormed back with five unanswered goals to capture its first win in Johnstown since November of 2006. Johnstown's stellar home penalty killing continued as it held the Checkers scoreless in six power play chances, but it wouldn't be enough. Andrew Carroll had a big night with two goals including the game winner at 19:22 of the second period. John Murray took the loss in net with 27 saves, but did earn an assist on Ralph's goal at 2:33 of the first.

1/30 vs. Toledo: L 4-7

Like the night before, Jonathan Ralph and Connor Shields scored first period goals to put the Chiefs ahead 2-1 at the midway point of the period. This night, the Chiefs couldn't fully contain the Walleye's high-powered power play and allowed Sebastien Piche to tie the game on the man advantage. Before the first expired, Adam Hobson put Toledo ahead 3-2 with a tip-in goal. Toledo's lead grew to 5-2 by the end of the second and foced the Chiefs to try for the comeback. A furious rally produced two goals, by Chanse Fitzpatrick and Chris Zarb, in the first 6:21 of the third. Johnstown couldn't close the gap any further and a pair of insurance goals by Hobson and Derek Nesbitt set the final.

1/31 vs. Charlotte:

Continuting the theme for the weekend the Chiefs built a lead on Sunday against Charlotte with a strong offensive flurry, but couldn't sustain the advantage. Sean Berkstresser took over the team lead in shorthanded goals with his second of the season at 5:33 of the first period and tied the game at one. Just 25 seconds later, Connor Shields scored on a nifty deke beating former Chief Ryan Munce in the process. T.J. Reynolds took a roughing minor in a scrum after Shields' goal putting the Chiefs in great position on the power play. It would be Charlotte, though, capitalizing with a Tyler Doig shorty and tying the game 40 seconds after the Chiefs had taken the lead. David Marshall scored the eventual game winner at 11:57 of the second. Johnstown had appeared to tie it early in the third, but Chanse Fitzpatrick's score was waived off due to a high sticking infraction against the Chiefs.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

- C. Shields; 3 gms (3G), 1/29-1/31

Assists:

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

- J. McKenzie; 3 gms (3A), 1/17-1/25

- C. Fitzpatrick; 2 gms (2A), 1/30-1/31

Points:

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

- C. Fitzpatrick; 2 gms (1G, 2A), 1/30-1/31

- C. Shields, 3 gms (3G, 1A), 1/29-1/31

- S. Berkstresser; 2 gms (1G, 1A), 1/30-1/31

- J. McKenzie; 3 gms (1G, 3A), 1/17-1/25

Quick Hits:

- Jonathan Ralph has the longest goal scoring streak (3 goals over 3 games) by a Chiefs defenseman this season.

- Johnstown is 7-8-1 against the South Division at home over the last four seasons (2006-07 to present).

- Chiefs are 9-5-1 when giving up three goals or less in a game this season.

- At one month (13 games) Mike Bartlett has received the longest AHL callup of any Chief this season. He has scored eight points (4G, 4A) for the Lake Erie Monsters.

- Johnstown is third in the league in home penalty killing at 86.8 percent.

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

- Friday, February 2 vs. S. Carolina - 7:05 p.m. o Facebook Friends Friday and Season Ticket Holder Special. $6 tickets/buddy passes to Chiefs' Facebook Friends and Season Ticket Holders. Order in advance through the Chiefs front office.

- Saturday, February 5 vs. S. Carolina - 7:05 p.m. o Pups and Pucks with Morley's Dogs. Chiefs fans are invited to bring their dogs to the game and find out more information on the Morley's Dog project.

- Sunday, February 14 vs. Cincinnati - 7:05 p.m.

o BIC Kid's Coloring Contest. Pick up the drawing from the Chiefs, color it in, and the best picture wins a great Chiefs prize!

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