By MIKE MASTOVICH
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.
Also Thursday, the Chiefs loaned winger Jarrett Konkle to the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.
When Mayotte returned from an AHL assignment on Tuesday, Johnstown goaltender Kyle Gajewski was recalled to Milwaukee in the AHL and reassigned to the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. Had Gajewski stayed, Johnstown would have had four netminders.
“Right now we’ve got to do what’s best for the team,” said coach Ian Herbers, whose Chiefs visit Wheeling tonight and Saturday.
“We’re at a critical time of the season. We need to get points and get as high as we can in the standings to get us a better shot at the playoffs.”
“Dahm competes,” he added. “We didn’t see him very long but I thought he played pretty well against Reading. He’s quick side to side. His teammates enjoyed him for the short amount of time he was here. He was good in the dressing room. He has a great work ethic and a good attitude.”
Dahm had his first professional win in his only appearance with Johnstown on Oct. 25 as the Chiefs beat Reading 6-4 at the Sovereign Center. The 22-year-old was called up by Syracuse, giving Pittsburgh native Mayotte an opportunity to finally break into the Chiefs lineup. Mayotte has a team-best
19 wins despite spending about a month with Hershey.
Konkle had a key goal in Wednesday’s
5-3 comeback win over visiting Wheeling.
He had 14 goals and 28 points in 27 games with the Chiefs. Konkle began the year with Fresno but signed as a free agent with Johnstown after the Falcons folded on Dec. 22.
“With the (NHL) trade deadline with Ottawa, the (Senators) moved some bodies out and didn’t get some bodies back,” Herbers explained.
“There were some bodies that went from Binghamton to Ottawa. Binghamton was looking for a winger. They’re playing Friday and Saturday. We’ll see after that. It wasn’t anything long-term but if he plays well maybe he earns himself a spot. We hope he goes up and does well. It’s good for him and good for our organization. It’s a chance for other players to step up and prove what they can do.”
