Weekly Arrowhead

Published on February 8, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs put forth an impressive effort last week with a shutout on the road and a shootout win over the league's top club. This week will be a stern test, for sure, with three straight road games against North Division foes before a Sunday evening tilt at home.

Record: 13-26-8, 34 pts., 4th place East Division,

Leaders:

Goals - Connor Shields: 18

Chanse Fitzpatrick (total): 23

Assists - Troy Schwab: 24

Points - Connor Shields/Troy Schwab: 37

Chanse Fitzpatrick (total): 41

+/- - Matthew Myers: +4

PIMs - Trevor Hendrikx: 109

PPG - Connor Shields: 8

SHG - Sean Berkstresser: 2

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 6

GAA - John Murray: 3.54

SVP - John Murray:.890

This Week:

2/9 at Wheeling, 11:05 a.m. - Home (1-0-2), Away (2-2-1)

It will be a bright and early start Tuesday when the Chiefs play Wheeling in its first ever Kids' Day Game. Johnstown will be looking for its second straight win in Wheeling after a 4-3 overtime triumph on January 16. The Chiefs broke a two-game losing streak in Wheeling thanks to a 3-for-8 effort on the power play and multi-point nights from Trevor Hendrikx (3A), Troy Schwab (2G), Chris Zarb (1G, 1A), and Chanse Fitzpatrick (1G, 1A). Five of the previous eight meetings this season between the Chiefs and Nailers have gone to overtime with the Nailers winning two in the extra frame and one in a shootout. Both of Johnstown's wins in extra time have come in Wheeling. Johnstown will also be gunning for its third consecutive road win in its final trip of the season to Wheeling.

2/12 at Kalamazoo, 7:30 p.m. - Home (0-0-1), Away (0-0-0)

Friday will be the Chiefs' only visit this season to the expansion Wings' home building - Wings Stadium. In the first ever meeting between the clubs on January 6, the Wings escaped Johnstown with a 4-3 win in overtime. Second-year pro Rick Cleaver had a huge night with four points (2G, 2A) including the game winner with 1:16 left in overtime. Kalamazoo started off the season red hot and led the North through much of the first half of the season. But Nick Bootland's club has been slipping lately and has dropped to third in the North with a 3-5-2 record over its last 10 games. Wings Stadium has proven a tough building for visitors to win in with the Wings going 15-6-3 on home ice entering the week.

2/13 at Cincinnati & 2/14 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. & 7:05 p.m. - Home (0-3-0), Away (2-0-0)

The Chiefs have apparently shaken off the ghosts from the 2007-08 season in which they didn't win a single game in Cincinnati as well as the end of 2008-09 in which they lost each of the last three at U.S. Bank Arena and missed the playoffs by one point. Johnstown is perfect at U.S. Bank Arena so far this season and has outscored the Cyclones 9-4 in the two prior matchups. John Murray was sensational in his last start against the Cyclones with 46 saves in Johnstown's 5-1 win on January 25. Cincinnati, meanwhile, broke the hearts of Chiefs Nation with a 5-3 win in Johnstown on January 15. Jim McKenzie had tied the game on a power play breakaway with 2:45 left to go in regulation. At the same time the goal was scored, Brian O'Hanely took a slashing minor leaving the Chiefs with a power play. Chiefs killer Barret Ehgoetz came through, though, with a shorthanded game-winning goal and Maxime Lacroix added an empty netter for insurance.

Day by Day:

Mon. 2/8: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Tues. 2/9: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 11:05 a.m.

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

Thurs. 2/11: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Fri. 2/12: Chiefs at Kalamazoo Wings, 7:30 p.m.

Sat. 2/13: Chiefs at Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:30 p.m.

Sun. 2/14: Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:05 p.m.

Broadcast Schedule:

Tues. 2/9: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 11:05 a.m. - radio and internet

Fri. 2/12: Chiefs at Kalamazoo Wings, 7:30 p.m. - radio and internet

Sat. 2/13: Chiefs at Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:30 p.m. - radio and internet

Sun. 2/14: Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:05 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. All game broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to faceoff with the Chiefs Pregame Show presented by UPMC.

Last Week: (2-1-0)

2/3 at Trenton: W 3-0

John Murray posted the Chiefs' first shutout of the season and earned first star of the game honors with his 29-save performance. Matthew Myers scored his second goal of the season with Johnstown, and both were game winners against the Devils on the road. Bryan Marshall and Chanse Fitzpatrick also put up markers for the Chiefs; their 14th and 22nd of the season respectively. All three of the Chiefs' goals were scored on rebound opportunities at the goal mouth. The win was made more impressive because the Chiefs only employed 14 skaters, due to illness and injury, on the evening.

2/5 vs. S. Carolina: L 2-3

Gregg Johnson gave the visitors a 1-0 lead 11:54 into the game with a 5-on-3 power play goal. Johnstown responded strongly with Troy Schwab slamming home a rebound for his 11th of the season at 17:17 of the first. With the game still tied just past the midway point of the second period, Chanse Fitzpatrick took off on a breakaway set up by Bryan Kaufman and Connor Shields. A high, hard wrist shot beat Shane Connolly to the glove side and gave Johnstown its first, and only, lead of the game. Trent Campbell tied the game up off of the impending faceoff just six seconds after Fitzpatrick's goal. Dylan Yeo beat John Murray with a blocker-side wrist shot two minutes into the third and the Stingrays were able to hang on for the one-goal win.

2/6 vs. S. Carolina: W 4-3 SO

Once again limited to just 14 skaters, the Chiefs put on a dramatic show for the fans that braved the blizzard and ended their lengthy home losing streak. This time it was the Chiefs striking first and forcing the Rays to play catch-up. Schwab scored his second of the weekend at 11:17 of the second, after a scoreless first, to put Johnstown up 1-0. Trevor Bruess tied it with a wraparound goal with just two ticks left on the second period clock. The Chiefs and Rays traded a pair of third period goals a piece leaving overtime on the horizon. In a span of 4:32 in the third Dain Prewitt, Schwab, Sean Berkstresser, and Gregg Johnson scored respectively. A scoreless overtime sent the teams to the shootout which Johnstown won 3-2. Goals by Connor Shields, Chanse Fitzpatrick, and Greg Gallagher bested scores by Trent Campbell and Gregg Johnson. Kris Mayotte had 42 saves through overtime and four in the shootout for his sixth win of the campaign.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

- T. Schwab; 2 gms (3G), 2/5-2/6

Assists:

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

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

- D. Gendur; 2 gms (2A), 2/5-2/6

Points:

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

- D. Gendur; 2 gms (2A), 2/5-2/6

- T. Schwab; 3 gms (3G, 2A), 2/3-2/5

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

Quick Hits:

- Johnstown is 3-4-2 against the North Division on the road this season.

- Kris Mayotte has the longest assist streak, 2 games, by a Chiefs goalie this season.

- Chanse Fitzpatrick needs six more points to top his previous career high (20G, 27A) from his rookie season in 04-05 with Columbia.

- Chiefs are 11-6-1 when giving up three goals or less in a game this season.

- Johnstown is 11-for-11 in its last two road games on the PK and 23-for-27 (85.1) at home in its last five.

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

- 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!

- Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20 vs. Trenton - 7:05 p.m.

o Devil of a Mini Plan. Call or visit the Chiefs front office to order this great mini plan! Two games against the Chiefs' East-Division rivals for just $20. You can call 814-539-1799 to order yours today.

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