The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Chiefs deal for a defenseman, release Robinson
Chiefs hold off Nailers, win in OT
The Johnstown Chiefs survived a wild third period, forced overtime and used Mike Bartlett’s goal
2:05 into the extra period to beat the Wheeling Nailers 6-5 on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena.
Chiefs blow lead, lose in overtime
No Chiefs lead has been safe at Cambria County War Memorial Arena this ECHL season.
The disturbing trend continued on Friday night in front of 3,070 fans.
For the third straight home game, Johnstown blew a lead, this time allowing Wheeling a pair of goals in the final 9:30 of regulation and one in overtime in a 4-3 setback.
Chiefs blow big lead, get first home victory
For 40 minutes, it appeared as if the Johnstown Chiefs were headed to an easy victory over the Reading Royals on Wednesday at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
But nothing has come easy to this group, and when Reading overcame a four-goal deficit to tie the score late in the third, an uneasy feeling swept through the arena.
The fact that Chiefs captain Mike Knight went head-first into the boards after a third-period collision and had to be taken from the ice on a backboard and in an ambulance only made the atmosphere more tense.
The good news was that the Chiefs rebounded with a pair of major power-play goals to beat the Royals 6-4 as Johnstown earned at least a point for the third straight game and took five of a possible six points in the East Division standings.
Chiefs' Knight suffers 'scary' injury
Struggling chiefs shake up lineup
Chiefs fall to Nailers in OT
The Johnstown Chiefs suffered a 4-3 overtime setback at the hands of the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena on Saturday night.
Chiefs have time to think about blowing lead to Nailers
This one was a tale of three periods.
The ending didn’t sit well with the Johnstown Chiefs, who lost a wildly unpredictable 5-4 game against the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Chiefs net first victory over Cyclones
The Johnstown Chiefs won their first game of the season and head coach Jeff Flanagan earned his first ECHL victory on Thursday night at U.S. Bank Arena.
The Chiefs built a big lead, lost the advantage and came back with a third-period goal to beat the Cincinnati Cyclones 4-3.
Winless Chiefs fall on road
The Johnstown Chiefs season-opening streak of futility continued Saturday afternoon at the Reading Sovereign Center.
Reading built an early two-goal advantage and held off a Chiefs comeback to defeat Johnstown 4-3 in front of 4,602 fans.
Chiefs unable to complete comeback
The Johnstown Chiefs were defeated by the Trenton Devils by a score of 3-2 on Friday night at the Sovereign Bank Arena.
Hendrikx returns to Chiefs
The Johnstown Chiefs’ newest defenseman actually brought a familiar face to the ECHL team’s locker room.
Wednesday’s ECHL transactions listed Trevor Hendrikx’s name under Johnstown’s signings.
Chiefs allow late goal, remain winless in four games
The Johnstown Chiefs were 27 seconds from savoring their first win of the ECHL season on Saturday night.
Instead, they settled for their first point of the year after Elmira netted a late goal in regulation and then scored in overtime to beat Johnstown 2-1.
First-year coach Jeff Flanagan’s Chiefs remain winless in four games (0-3-1) after the setback in front of a sparse crowd of 1,630 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Chiefs stumble on road
The Johnstown Chiefs dropped a back-and-forth affair in Elmira on Friday night by a score of 7-4.
Chiefs chase first victory tonight against 0-2 Trenton
It’s too early to label tonight as a must-win situation for either the Johnstown Chiefs or Trenton Devils.
But when the teams meet at 7 p.m. at Sovereign Bank Arena, each will be trying to erase the sting of a disappointing first weekend.
Chiefs get shut out by Cyclones in home opener
As home openers and head coaching debuts go, Jeff Flanagan probably wouldn’t mind a “do-over.”
The Cincinnati Cyclones, the team known for sticking it to the Johnstown Chiefs at the most inopportune times over the past three seasons, did it again on Saturday.
MIKE MASTOVICH | Owner ‘excited’ about new season
Hockey season finally arrived on Saturday night in the city dubbed “Chiefstown”
That development took on added significance to Johns-
town Chiefs majority owner Neil Smith.
Chiefs’ fans will see changes
The Johnstown Chiefs will open their 22nd ECHL season tonight against Cincinnati with a new coach and a mix of returning and new players.
Before Chiefs fans see their 2009-10 team on the ice, Chiefs General Manager Bill Bredin hopes those spectators will notice what he believes is an upgrade in the team’s off-ice presentation as well as a few changes at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Drawn together | After an uneasy offseason, Chiefs players are united
When Ian Herbers unexpectedly accepted a position as assistant coach with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, the players who had skated for him with the Johnstown Chiefs were left in limbo.
Who would be the Chiefs’ next coach? Where would the returning Chiefs fit in under the new guy? Was it time to move on?
Despite loss, coach sees improvements in Chiefs
Jeff Flanagan saw a lot of similarities between Saturday night’s ECHL exhibition game at Cambria County War Memorial Arena and his first training camp as head coach of the Johnstown Chiefs.
His players put in plenty of hard work and made enough progress during a 3-2 loss to Wheeling to give Flanagan a reason to be optimistic.
The Chiefs open their 22nd ECHL regular season against Cincinnati Saturday at the War Memorial.
Chiefs’ roster nearly final
First-year Johnstown Chiefs coach Jeff Flanagan believes his roster is set, or at least as close to set as possible with a week remaining until the team’s 22nd ECHL season opener.
“That’s pretty well the final roster,” Flanagan said after making two cuts on Friday and signing four players who had been on tryout contracts.
“There may be one decision left, but we’re getting real close.”
Goalie: Chiefs have unfinished business
Kris Mayotte believes he has some unfinished business with the Johnstown Chiefs.
Mayotte is among a group of 15 players returning after the Chiefs missed the ECHL’s Kelly Cup playoffs by a mere point last season.
The league’s all-star game starting goaltender said the playoff snub was one of the reasons he is back in Johnstown.
Goalie: Chiefs have unfinished business
Kris Mayotte believes he has some unfinished business with the Johnstown Chiefs.
Mayotte is among a group of 15 players returning after the Chiefs missed the ECHL’s Kelly Cup playoffs by a mere point last season.
The league’s all-star game starting goaltender said the playoff snub was one of the reasons he is back in Johnstown.
Mike Mastovich | Lack of affiliates creates a challenge
The ECHL media guide was delivered to the Johnstown Chiefs’ office on Thursday.
Right there on Page 24, the abbreviation “TBD” corresponded to the Chiefs on the list of NHL/AHL affiliates for each club in the 20-team league.
The Chiefs are the only team without an affiliate as they begin their 22nd season in the league. TBD – as in To Be Determined – probably means there won’t be an affiliate in Johnstown’s immediate future.
That’s a concern. But the situation isn’t as bleak as the last time Johnstown began a season without an affiliation.
Chiefs introduce Flanagan as new head coach
The Johnstown Chiefs introduced Jeff Flanagan as their new head coach Friday morning at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Flanagan, 33, was raised in rural Dublin, Ontario. He appreciates the hometown atmosphere and camaraderie associated with the ECHL’s Chiefs.
“I grew up on a farm and I really like the small-town attitude and small-town people because that’s where I came from,” Flanagan told a group of about
20 Chiefs fans who attended the news conference. “That’s what makes Johnstown a perfect fit.”
Chiefs issue challenge to region
The Johnstown Chiefs announced Tuesday a program aimed at increasing the team’s season-ticket base while giving back to the community.
Spence staying with Chiefs as assistant coach
Jason Spence concedes his full-throttle, physical style of play cut short his professional hockey career.
But the popular former Johnstown Chiefs winger will begin another chapter this season.
Johnstown Chiefs hire new coach
The Johnstown Chiefs’ newest coach has a diverse resume both on and off the ice.
Jeff Flanagan, a former Reading Royals assistant coach, officially will be named coach of the Chiefs on Wednesday, approximately one month prior to the opening of training camp for the team’s 22nd ECHL season.
Two newest Chiefs bring size, scoring
The Johnstown Chiefs boosted their roster by two more players this week.
The ECHL team announced Tuesday the signing of center Torren Delforte. On Monday, the Chiefs signed forward-defenseman Jozef Sladok.
Johnstown still is without a head coach, but already has signed nine players.
Chiefs Bredin rolls with the punches
No coach? No worries. No affiliates? No problem. Johnstown Chiefs General Manager Bill Bredin is about as upbeat as one in his position possibly could be with a little more than a month until the team begins its 22nd ECHL training camp.
Bredin knows he and majority owner Neil Smith must find a head coach – and must do so rather quickly.
Local sports briefs 8/26
Chiefs ‘thrilled’ about signings
Chiefs' GM enthused about '09-10 schedule
As he prepared for his first season as general manager of the Johnstown Chiefs last summer, Bill Bredin wasn’t exactly thrilled by the ECHL team’s 36 home dates.
Too many home games in November. Too many road games in March and early April. Too many miles during a Southern road swing that stopped in Florida.
This year, Bredin had a much more positive outlook after the ECHL officially released the 72-game schedule on Wednesday.
Chiefs, rink teaming up
Future of Chiefs remains uncertain
In the next few days, perhaps we’ll finally know the fate of Johnstown’s ECHL Chiefs.
We might also discover whether the Bassewitz Group’s Operational Performance Assessment of the War Memorial Arena is followed – regardless of who owns the Chiefs – or if the $37,500 study isn’t worth the paper it was printed on back in September.
Chiefs majority owner Neil Smith made his position clear in a Wednesday e-mail to The Tribune-Democrat that eventually was posted on the team’s Web site.
Chiefs lose, but playoff hopes still alive
The Johnstown Chiefs live to fight another day. But they’re on life support, and they’re going to need some help to survive and make the postseason.
Chiefs rally for victory in OT
The Johnstown Chiefs converted on three of their
16 power-play opportunities to earn an important comeback victory at Elmira on Saturday night.
Ryan Garlock scored with the man-advantage 42 seconds into overtime as the Chiefs beat the Jackals 5-4 for their second straight win at First Arena in as many nights.
MASTOVICH| Olympian will appear at game
Johnstown edges Elmira in shootout
Ian Keserich made 39 saves and stopped all five shootout attempts as the Johnstown Chiefs defeated the Elmira Jackals 3-2 on Friday night at First Arena.
The win moved the Chiefs into a four-way tie for second place in the North Division. The top four teams make the playoffs.
Ugly second period puts Chiefs in tie for second
Nie, first-place Cyclones return
Ryan Nie’s season began with training camp in Fresno. Then a one-game stop in Elmira. A two-month stint in Bakersfield was next. Followed by a trade to Cincinnati.
Now, it appears, the former record-breaking Johnstown Chiefs goaltender has settled in quite nicely with the North Division-leading Cyclones.
Nie and Cincinnati will face the Chiefs at 7 tonight at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
MIKE MASTOVICH| Injuries to Syracuse defensemen end up hurting Chiefs
Nailers use first-period blitz to rout Chiefs
Chiefs add goaltender, lose winger
The Johnstown Chiefs crease became crowded on Thursday while a group of forwards who started clicking a night earlier lost one of their catalysts.
The Syracuse Crunch assigned goaltender Sebastian Dahm to the Chiefs. Dahm will join ECHL All-Star Game starter Kris Mayotte and Lake Erie contract player Ian Keserich in net.
Returnees help the Chiefs down division rivals
The Johnstown Chiefs welcomed back four players on Wednesday night at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The homecoming was a hit among 2,426 fans who watched the Chiefs defeat rival Wheeling 5-3 in the tight North Division.
“Me and Andy Contois have been best of buddies the last month or so just training and trying to get back in shape to come back,” said Chiefs defenseman Mike Knight, who had a goal and two assists.
Top Pens prospect scores for Nailers
Wheeling made a high-profile addition on Wednesday, as the Pittsburgh Penguins assigned top-rated prospect Luca Caputi to the Nailers prior to Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Johnstown Chiefs at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
NEW-Crunch reassigns Landry to Chiefs
Additions bolster Chiefs’ roster
Chiefs squander early lead in OT loss to Jackals
Mike Sgroi was a fan favorite when he wore the Johnstown Chiefs jersey during parts of the past two ECHL seasons.
Sgroi, now with the Elmira Jackals, was surprised when those who once cheered him instead booed him in Saturday’s game at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Unfortunately for his former teammates, Sgroi found extra motivation.
Chiefs ready to hit the road in rival's bus
It’s not often the Johnstown Chiefs and Cincinnati Cyclones are on the same side during an ECHL game.
But this week, Johnstown has enlisted the aid of their North Division rivals for a grueling road trip to Estero, Fla., home of the South Division powerhouse Florida Everblades.
The Chiefs will use Cincinnati’s sleeper bus for the 1,204-mile, approximately 22-hour drive to the southern Florida outpost.
For Chiefs ‘every game is a playoff game’
The Johnstown Chiefs and South Carolina Stingrays have mirrored each other in recent weeks.
Both teams are streaking, with the Chiefs on a four-game roll and South Carolina outscoring opponents by a combined 16-6 in three straight wins.
Rocket’s visit part of city’s hockey history
Keserich snatches goaltender award
Solid team play often translates into individual honors.
That was the case on Tuesday, as the Johnstown Chiefs’ Ian Keserich earned ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for Feb. 9-15. Keserich gladly accepted the recognition but preferred to credit his teammates for a 3-0-0 week that vaulted the Chiefs back into first place in the North Division.
Late power-play goal lifts Chiefs past Devils
At times on Saturday night, Ian Keserich felt as if he was under siege.
Not so much by a barrage of Trenton shots, but instead from the multiple bodies of Devils who made their way into the Johnstown Chiefs goaltender’s space – and face.
Keserich had the final say, though, as Toby LaFrance converted a power play that resulted from a Trenton goaltender interference penalty late in the third period of Johnstown’s dramatic 3-2 victory.
Lucky seven
Reg Kent centered not one, but two of the most prolific scoring lines in Johnstown professional hockey history.
That fact alone probably merits the accolades Kent will receive Sunday when his No. 7 Johnstown Jets jersey is retired and raised to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena rafters, where it will join Don Hall’s No. 9, Dick Roberge’s No. 11 and Galen Head’s No. 8.
Bombers rout Chiefs
The Dayton Bombers had a pair of hat tricks and routed the Johnstown Chiefs 8-3 on Saturday night at Hobart Arena.
The Bombers’ Tomas Za-borsky and Greg Labenski each scored three goals as the Bombers won for only the second time in the past 11 games.
Jackals blank visiting Chiefs
The Johnstown Chiefs only allowed one goal on Friday night.
But that tally by Elmira’s Pierre-Luc Faubert was enough to send Johnstown into a tie with the Jackals for third place in the tight North Division. Elmira won 1-0 at First Arena.
Chiefs winger returns from Lake Erie
Andrew Sarauer expects to see his first game action in three weeks.
And, the 6-foot-4 left wing will make his return with the Johnstown Chiefs tonight at Elmira.
MASTOVICH| Keserich man of the moment
Ian Keserich’s status was elevated from observer to No. 1 goaltender on Wednesday.
The Johnstown Chiefs netminder will return from a nagging back injury just as reigning ECHL Goaltender of the Week Kris Mayotte heads to the AHL with the Hershey Bears.
Chiefs goalie garners ECHL weekly honor
The Black and Gold earned another honor this week.
This one had nothing to do with the Super Bowl Steelers, nor did it involve a parade attracting hundreds of thousands of fans. But the Johnstown Chiefs still will take it.
Johnstown continues dominance of Reading
Five different players produced goals and all three lines scored as the Johnstown Chiefs beat the Reading Royals 5-3 on Saturday night at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Chiefs Pohl picks apart Wolves
The Johnstown Chiefs debuted their new fan-interactive “We Score, You Score” promotion on Friday night, anticipating game-long drama as members of the crowd took turns guessing which Chief would score the next goal.
The front office envisioned as many as eight fans taking their guesses during stoppages in play at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. A correct match meant discounted tickets and merchandise for all those in attendance.
The concept was intriguing, but Johnstown’s Petr Pohl made sure the “We Score, You Score” gig lasted a mere 3 minutes, 49 seconds.
Chiefs Pohl picks apart Wolves
The Johnstown Chiefs debuted their new fan-interactive “We Score, You Score” promotion on Friday night, anticipating game-long drama as members of the crowd took turns guessing which Chief would score the next goal.
The front office envisioned as many as eight fans taking their guesses during stoppages in play at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. A correct match meant discounted tickets and merchandise for all those in attendance.
The concept was intriguing, but Johnstown’s Petr Pohl made sure the “We Score, You Score” gig lasted a mere 3 minutes, 49 seconds.
Newcomers 'played well' for Chiefs
The clock in the Johnstown Chiefs’ locker room was approaching 7 p.m. on Thursday night.
Chiefs coach Ian Herbers had no news to report on the player personnel front.
No one called up. No one sent down. No new injuries.
Getting physical
Ian Herbers wanted traffic in front of the net.
The Johnstown Chiefs coach stressed the importance of his team utilizing its speed.
Forget the fancy stuff. Get physical.
Biding his time
Randy Rowe’s American Hockey League experience has taught him to live hour-to-hour away from the rink, and second-to-second on the ice.
Sea Wolves goalie familiar to Chiefs
As a former Johnstown Chiefs goaltender, Ryan Munce is familiar with Cambria County War Memorial Arena and the region’s passionate Johnstown Chiefs fans.
Devils edge visiting Chiefs
The Johnstown Chiefs ran into the hottest team in the North Division on Saturday night and fared no better than most opponents that have faced the Trenton Devils in the past six weeks.
Trenton edged Johnstown 3-2, as the Devils continued to look like a playoff team. With former Chiefs goaltender Gerald Coleman nearly unbeatable, Trenton has won 15 of its past 19 games.
NEW: Chiefs trade enforcer Sgroi to Utah
The Johnstown Chiefs and popular tough guy Mike Sgroi parted ways on Saturday.
Chiefs coach Ian Herbers dealt Sgroi to the Utah Grizzlies for cash, as both player and coach said it was time for a move.
Chiefs miss opportunity in loss to first-place Nailers
With first place in sight and a standing-room-only crowd watching, the Johnstown Chiefs waited until the third period to put on their game face on Friday night.
A frantic two-goal comeback pepped up a crowd of 4,016 – the first home sellout in almost two years – but the first-place Wheeling Nailers edged Johnstown 3-2 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Big night on tap for Chiefs, fans
The Johnstown Chiefs and Wheeling Nailers jump right back into the North Division race tonight, and a lot of hockey fans will be watching.
The Chiefs have sold out the game thanks to an AmeriServ customer appreciation promotion for the first game after the ECHL All-Star Game break. The Chiefs hadn’t sold out any of their opening 20 home games at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Chiefs coach leads winning team in ECHL All-Star Game
Johnstown Chiefs coach Ian Herbers was on the winning bench during his first ECHL All-Star Game appearance.
Herbers, co-coach of the American Conference team with Wheeling’s Greg Puhalski, appreciated the effort by both squads in front of 5,693 fans at the Sovereign Center in Reading. The American Conference beat the National Conference 11-5.
Versatile Bartlett does what is needed for Chiefs
Glance at the list of the Johnstown Chiefs’ leading scorers, and Mike Bartlett’s name won’t be near the top.
But Bartlett has contributed in a manner that numbers simply don’t reveal.
Chiefs Mayotte wins ECHL all-star skills contest
Kris Mayotte’s ECHL All-Star Game experience had an outstanding start on Tuesday.
The Johnstown Chiefs goaltender finished with the top performance among six goalies participating in the ECHL All-Star Skills Competition at the Sovereign Center in Reading.
Chiefs shoot down Bombers
Johnstown Chiefs goaltender Kris Mayotte realized the significance of his team’s 2-1 victory over visiting Dayton on Saturday night.
“It was as big a win as we’ve had this season,” Mayotte said after stopping 28 shots.
Elmira powers past Johnstown
The Johnstown Chiefs have become accustomed to playing short-handed due to call-ups and injuries.
In the third period on Friday night, the Chiefs were short-handed in another manner for more than five straight minutes.
Chiefs eyeing power-play fix
The Johnstown Chiefs’ next power-play goal will be the team’s first of 2009.
Herbers ponders changes after loss
The Trenton Devils’ four-goal first period keyed a 6-1 victory over the Johnstown Chiefs on Wednesday at Sovereign Bank Arena.
“We need to play with urgency,” Chiefs coach Ian Herbers said. “We got outworked on the penalty kill, and you can’t do that, especially against Trenton.
“Maybe we have to change the personnel again,” he added. “We have to get guys who are going to crash the net, go to the net and get ugly. I don’t like our game right now.”
Landing on his skates
Josh Piro had hoped for one more season of playing pro hockey on hometown ice.
When that didn’t work out, Piro opted for Plan B.
Elmira's late surge sinks Chiefs
The Elmira Jackals used a pair of third-period goals to defeat the Johnstown Chiefs 5-3 on Saturday at First Arena.
Keserich stops 38 shots to lead Chiefs
The Johnstown Chiefs were missing their all-star goaltender on Friday night in Elmira.
But Ian Keserich filled the void impressively.
Ice situation puts Chiefs’ game at Elmira in jeopardy
A relatively small hole in the ice near one of the goal cages forced the postponement of the Johnstown Chiefs’ Dec. 27 game scheduled against the Elmira Jackals at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The Jackals unintentionally one-upped the Chiefs this week.
A 5-foot wide path of water covering a thin layer of ice ran up almost the length of First Arena, putting tonight’s game between the visiting Chiefs and Jackals in jeopardy.
Chiefs' Mayotte headed to Syracuse
The injury-plagued Columbus Blue Jackets’ situation has translated into an opportunity for Johnstown Chiefs all-star goaltender Kris Mayotte.
Blue Jackets backup goalie Pascal Leclaire is down with an ankle injury. That led to Syracuse Crunch netminder Dan LacCosta’s promotion to the NHL.
In turn, Pittsburgh native Mayotte was summoned to the American Hockey League, where he signed a professional tryout agreement with the Crunch.
Fresno's misfortune benefits Chiefs as Konkle shines
Jarrett Konkle was at his family’s Toronto, Ontario, home for a holiday visit when his hockey world was turned upside down.
The Fresno Falcons suspended operations on Dec. 22 leaving Konkle, a high-scoring forward, and his teammates in limbo.
Herbers to coach All-Star team
Chiefs Coach Ian Herbers will share American Conference coaching duties with Wheeling’s Greg Puhalski in ECHL All-Star Game.
Cyclones turn chances into goals against Chiefs
Better effort. Same disappointing result.
That seemed to be the consensus in the home locker room after the Johnstown Chiefs fell 4-2 to the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday night at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
“The guys competed,” Chiefs coach Ian Herbers said. “We had a lot of opportunities to tie the game up and take the lead. The power play moved the puck around well and we created some chances off that, which we hadn’t done for a while.
Mike Mastovich | Rowe flourishes in call-up
The Johnstown Chiefs obviously miss the leadership, scoring touch and grit captain Randy Rowe brings to the ice.
But the eighth-year pro certainly is deserving of his Tuesday call up to the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters.
Rowe made an immediate impact with the Monsters.
In his first AHL game with Lake Erie, Rowe netted the game-winning goal in a 6-2 victory at Houston on Tuesday.
Former Chief Mark McCutcheon also had a pair of goals in that win.
Chiefs succumb to defending Kelly Cup champion Cyclones
Sooner or later, those amazing three- and four-goal comebacks were bound to end for the Johnstown Chiefs.
That much was evident Friday night as the defending Kelly Cup champion Cincinnati Cyclones pasted Johnstown 6-1 in front of 1,780 fans at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
“That’s the first time I’ve been disappointed in the team,” said coach Ian Herbers, whose Chiefs squandered an opportunity to move back into first place in the North Division.
Mike Mastovich | Down and out? Not these Chiefs
Thirty-six minutes into the New Year’s Eve game, the Johnstown Chiefs had fallen flat.
Trenton had put four goals past Johnstown’s all-star goaltender Kris Mayotte.
The offense was out of sync.
A dejected crowd of 3,589 collectively hoped their team would avoid an embarrassing blowout. The possibility of earning a point seemed nonexistent.
But the Chiefs did what they’ve done so often while facing adversity this season.
They fought back.
Chiefs rally but fall in overtime
The Johnstown Chiefs overcame a four-goal deficit to force overtime against Trenton but the Devils spoiled the New Year’s Eve party.
Two Chiefs players earn honor for ECHL’s showcase event
For only the second time in team all-star history, the Johnstown Chiefs will have two starters in the 17th annual ECHL All-Star Game on Jan. 21 at the Reading Sovereign Center.
Chiefs hang on for victory over Royals
New left wing Jarrett Konkle had a goal and three points, and Andy Contois scored twice as the Johnstown Chiefs moved back into a tie for first place in the ECHL North Division with a 4-3 victory at Reading on Tuesday in front of 5,512 fans at the Sovereign Center.
Chiefs shooting for a year-end sellout | Home team has Devils to play
The Johnstown Chiefs are hoping their rivals won’t be lucky Devils on New Year’s Eve. The hometown Chiefs will face the Trenton, N.J., team at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.
'Powwow with the Chiefs' featuring Captain Randy Rowe
Chiefs Captain Randy Rowe talks about Johnstown hockey and its history, and looks ahead to the traditional New Year's Eve game.
Chiefs hit historic mark with win in OT
As has been the case with the Johnstown Chiefs throughout the year, success has come with adversity.
Whether it’s player call-ups or bad ice, Johnstown still found a way to reach 20 wins in a season faster than any other team in Chiefs history.
Johnstown topped visiting Elmira 6-5 in overtime Sunday afternoon, facing the Jackals in a game that was supposed to take place Saturday night.
Problems with surface force postponement
More than 2,500 fans crossed through the Cambria County War Memorial Arena turnstiles ready to watch the Johnstown Chiefs try to get back into a first-place tie atop the ECHL’s North Division on Saturday.
Instead, those fans left disgruntled, as a chunk of ice around one goal post was deemed unsafe for play. As a result, the Chiefs and visiting Elmira Jackals had their game suspended until 1 p.m. today.
Chiefs fall from first place
The Johnstown Chiefs lost more than a game in New York on Friday night; they also lost their hold on first place in the ECHL’s North Division.
The Chiefs’ 2-0 loss to the Jackals, coupled with a Wheeling win over Reading, puts the Nailers two points up on Johnstown.
Elmira got goals from Joe Grimaldi and Wes Cunningham against Chiefs netminder Ian Keserich, as Johnstown suffered only its ninth loss of the year.
The Chiefs remain at 39 points with a 19-8-1 record. Wheeling, courtesy of a 10-6 victory at home against Reading, is now 18-4-1-4, good for 41 points.
Another hit for the ECHL
The ECHL took another hit Monday, as the league terminated the membership of the Fresno Falcons, effective immediately.
Chiefs crush Nailers on the road
Forward Blair Yaworski had four goals and five points as the Johnstown Chiefs defeated the Wheeling Nailers 7-3 with first place on the line Friday night at WesBanco Arena.

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