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Johnstown, Pa. – The Johnstown Chiefs snapped their early season losing streak last Thursday and earned three out of a possible four points as they closed out a five-game road trip. This week, Johnstown returns to the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial for two out of their next three games.

Record: 1-6-2, 4 pts., 4th place East Division,

Leaders:
Goals – Connor Shields: 4
Assists – Ryan Menei: 5
Points – Mike Bartlett/Jim McKenzie: 6
+/- - Troy Schwab/Sean Berkstresser/Jarrett Konkle: 2
PIMs – Ryan Del Monte: 32
PPG – Mike Knight/Ryan Del Monte/Trevor Hendrikx/Jim McKenzie/Connor Shields: 1
SHG –
Wins – Shane Connelly: 1
GAA – Shane Connelly: 3.19
SVP – Shane Connelly: .886


This Week:

11/11 vs. Reading, 7:30 p.m. - Home (0-0-0), Away (0-2-0)
The Chiefs play host to their interstate rivals for the first time this season in a mid-week clash. The Royals come to town winners of four of their last five games, including two in a row against Johnstown on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Reading came away with one-goal victories in each contest to regain some momentum in the Keystone State rivalry. Between February 27, 2008 and March 29, 2009 the Chiefs had won 13 consecutive games against the Royals. Reading broke that string on March 29, the final meeting of last season between the clubs. Johnstown does still have an impressive streak against Reading intact: they have won seven consecutive home games against Reading dating back to February 27, 2008. The Chiefs play three of their five home games this month against Reading.

11/13 vs. Wheeling, 7:05 p.m. & 11/14 at Wheeling, 7:35 – Home (0-0-0), Away (0-0-1)
Even though the Chiefs and Nailers are no longer division rivals, there is no love lost between the two clubs. Friday’s game will be the first time the teams meet in Johnstown this season. In each of the last two seasons the Chiefs opened their home schedule against Wheeling and dropped the games by a 4-2 score. Overall last season, on their home ice the Chiefs were 2-4-0 against Wheeling. Among North Division teams, Wheeling is Johnstown’s second most common opponent with 10 meetings this season. Cincinnati is tops with 11.

Day by Day:
Mon. 11/9:  Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.
Tues. 11/10: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.
Wed. 11/11: Chiefs vs. Reading Royals, 7:30 p.m.
Thurs. 11/12:  Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.
Fri. 11/13: Chiefs vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:05 p.m.
Sat. 11/14: Chiefs at Wheeling Nailers, 7:35 p.m.
Sun. 11/15: Off

Broadcast Schedule:
Wed. 11/11: Chiefs vs. Reading Royals, 7:30 p.m. – radio and internet
Fri. 11/13: Chiefs vs. Wheeling Nailers, 7:05 p.m. – radio and internet
Sat. 11/14: 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. All game broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to faceoff with the Chiefs Pregame Show presented by UPMC.


Last Week: (1-0-1)

11/5 at Cincinnati: W 4-3
The Chiefs snapped a four-game losing streak at U.S. Bank Arena with its first win of the season last Thursday. Johnstown played its best first period of the early season as it built a 3-0 advantage through 20 minutes. Jarrett Konkle’s first goal of the season sparked the offense 3:01 into the game and Dan Collins really got the fire going with his second of the season at 4:34. Troy Schwab’s first as a pro stretched the lead even further at 14:45. Each of the Chiefs’ three first-period goals came at even strength. The Cyclones responded with a power play goal from Matt Pierce early in the second. After killing off 37 seconds of a Chiefs’ 5-on-3 power play, and the remainder of the 5-on-4, Mark O’Leary and Bryan Leitch scored 4:57 apart to tie the game. It wouldn’t take long in the third for the Chiefs to retake the lead. Greg Gallagher took a rink-wide pass from Konkle and slammed it home at 4:04. Shane Connelly picked up his first pro win with 25 saves and Konkle had a breakout game with three points (1G, 2A).

11/7 at Wheeling: L 3-4 OT
Last Saturday the Chiefs had to deal with a Wheeling team that was hungry for its first home win of the season. The Nailers came out with a very determined effort in the first period and built a 2-0 lead on goals by Thomas Beauregard and Jordan Fox. The Chiefs picked up a big swing in momentum, though, with great penalty killing through the final minute of the first and early stages of the second period. A Russ Sinkewich hooking minor at 18:07 followed by a hooking call, along with another for unsportsmanlike conduct, to Ryan Del Monte at 18:59 gave Wheeling a great chance to extend the lead. But the Chiefs’ penalty killers, along with goalie Kris Mayotte, kept the Nailers at bay and allowed the offense to go to work. Captain Mike Knight’s second of the season at 9:57 of the second put the Chiefs on the board. In the third, Johnstown’s power play came to life with goals from Jim McKenzie (2:47) and Connor Shields (5:19). McKenzie’s tally tied the game at two, and Shields’ served the same purpose; this time with the score even at three apiece. Joey Haddad scored for the Nailers on a 2-on-1 break 30 seconds after McKenzie’s goal. Mitch Ganzak ended up with the game winner 1:31 into overtime. It was Johnstown’s second overtime loss this season.


CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals:

Assists: R. Menei – 3 games (3A); 11/1-11/7
                T. Schwab – 3 games (4A); 10/21-11/7

Points: J. McKenzie – 5 games (3G, 3A); 10/31-11/7
              T. Schwab – 3 games (1G, 4A); 10/21-11/7
              D. Collins – 2 games (1G, 1A); 11/5-11/7
   
Quick Hits:
•    Johnstown is out-shooting its opponents 101 to 76 in the third period this season.
•    Greg Gallagher’s game winning goal on 11/5/09 at Cincinnati was his first since 3/28/08 at Wheeling.
•    Johnstown’s nine power play chances against Wheeling on 11/7 were its most in a game this season, and the most since getting 10 on 4/9/09 against Cincinnati. The Chiefs are averaging 5.5 power play chances per game this season.
•    Chiefs’ last six games have all been decided by one goal (1-3-2).


Heating Up: Left wing Jarrett Konkle had a breakout performance with a goal and two assists in the Chiefs’ 4-3 win over Cincinnati on Nov. 5. It was Konkle’s first multi-point game of the season, and the highest single-game point total for any Chiefs skater so far this season. Between Johnstown and Fresno last season, Konkle amassed 13 multi-point games on his way to 54 points (29G, 25A) in 58 games – his second highest point total as a pro. Also finding his groove recently his rookie center Troy Schwab. After missing five games with an injury, Schwab posted a goal and an assist in his first game back in the win over Cincinnati. He followed that up with two assists against Wheeling on 11/7. Schwab has points in each of his last three games (1G, 4A) and leads team rookies in scoring.


Welcome Back Home: When the Chiefs face off against Reading on November 11 it will be the team’s first home game in two and a half weeks. In their most recent home game on October 24 against Elmira the Chiefs fell 2-1 in overtime before taking to the road for the next five games. On their road trip, Johnstown won its first game of the season, but suffered four one-goal defeats including an overtime loss last Saturday in Wheeling. The Chiefs play five of their 13 games in November at the UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at the Cambria County War Memorial. The Chiefs are still looking for their first home win, and are trying to win at least 20 home games for the third straight season.


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

•    Wednesday, October 11 vs. Reading – 7:35 p.m.
     o    Post-Veterans’ Day Parade Celebration and Jersey Auction. Military veterans and active members will be honored during a pregame ceremony, and can purchase tickets for the game for just $5! The Chiefs will also be wearing special camouflage jerseys that will be auctioned off live immediately following the game. Don’t forget it’s a special 7:35 start time.
•    Friday, November 13 vs. Wheeling – 7:05 p.m.
     o    Dollar Dog Friday courtesy of SMG. Hot dogs are just $1 to everyone in attendance! Also don’t forget about Em’s Friday Meal Deal. For $10 you get and Em’s Sub, a drink, a bag of chips and a voucher good for that Friday’s Chiefs game. Available at all five Em’s locations.
•    Wednesday, November 25 vs. Reading – 7:05 p.m.
     o    Wendy’s Wednesday Family Four Pack Night #1 – Courtesy of Wendy’s, families of four can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks, and four boxes of popcorn for just 44!

Commissioner Bud Selig shaved drug suspensions of players and broke the rules of MLB. Will Manny Ramirez and three others do a year? What will happen to dozens of minor league players whose records, teams, and leagues are affected? Read the whole story at SZ ( www.mlnsports.com).