WHEELING, W.Va. — 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.
The Chiefs have gained at least a point in their past five games, going 3-0-2-0 for eight of a possible 10 points.
But it wasn’t easy or via a conventional route.
Johnstown once again blew a two-goal, third-period lead and eventually fell behind 5-4.
Defenseman Chris Zarb netted the game-tying goal with 1:36 left in regulation.
“It was back and forth in the third,” Chiefs coach Jeff Flanagan said.
“The guys played well. We called a timeout late in the third just to get the guys back together. We said, ‘We can do this.’ The guys were working hard. The goals against us were a couple deflections, tough-luck goals.
“We got to overtime and the guys just did their jobs.”
Wheeling opened the scoring with a goal by Thomas Beauregard 51 seconds into the first on a power play.
The Chiefs’ Moises Gutierrez tied the score at 7:44 of the first.
Beauregard’s second power-play tally of the night gave the Nailers a 2-1 lead at 11:21, but once again Gutierrez tied the score on a power play at 17:12.
The Chiefs had a big second period with goals by Matt Robinson and Trevor Hendrikx to lead 4-2.
In the third, Wheeling had three straight goals by Aaron Clarke and two by Alex Grant to put the Nailers ahead 5-4. The goal could have deflated the Chiefs, who gave up a two-goal lead in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Wheeling and squandered a three-goal advantage before beating Reading 6-4 on Wednesday.
Instead, Johnstown responded with the next two goals.
“It feels real good. The guys are real positive,” Flanagan said.
“We were coming in the room and the guys were saying, ‘Finally we win one
of these games.’ We’ve had tough luck. Finally the luck went our way. By working hard the guys are seeing the fruits of their labor.”
Goaltender Kris Mayotte, an ECHL all-star with 20 wins last year, recorded his first victory this season.
“It was huge for him,” Flanagan said. “He made some real big saves for us at key moments. He looked a little bit more confident in net. He will get better and better each game.”
Robinson had a goal and two assists for Johnstown. Connor Shields had three assists. Jarrett Konkle and Greg Gallagher each had two assists.
Flanagan has seen significant progress after the team started winless in its first seven games.
“We’ve got eight points out of our last possible 10,” Flanagan said.
“Things are turning around. Guys are sticking to the plan and playing Chiefs hockey.”
