TRENTON, N.J. —
For a few moments it looked like the Johnstown Chiefs might find a ray of light in a dismal season, as they were poised to pick up their first third-period comeback victory.
Then reality set in and the Trenton Devils scored twice to hand the Chiefs a 4-3 loss, which was their fifth straight and eighth in 10 games this month. The Chiefs, who will move to Greenville, S.C., at the end of the season, are 16-40-7-4 this season. They are 23 points behind Trenton, which has the next worst record in the league.
Goalie Kris Mayotte returned to the Chiefs’ lineup after a three-game absence and made 38 saves, but it wasn’t enough.
He made 16 saves in a scoreless first period, but Trenton got to him in the second. Chris Poli used a drop pass on the doorstep to set up Ryan Ginand, who scored into an open net six minutes into the period. The Chiefs responded as Chanse Fitzpatrick score on a rebound of Connor Shields’ shot at 8:51. Jack Combs twisted home a bouncing puck at 15:53 with the Devils on the power play for a 2-1 Trenton lead.
Sean Berkstresser slammed home his 20th goal of the season just 2:54 into the third to tied it at 2. Jim McKenzie picked up the primary assist on the power-play goal. Another pass by McKenzie sent Bear Trapp in on a breakaway just moments later. Trapp’s first goal as a Chief came with 4:45 gone and gave the Chiefs their first lead of the night.
But Trenton got two goals in less than two minutes to take control. Dave Leaderer scored on a tricky backhand from low on the left wing at 6:48 to tie it and then Jeff Prough pounced on a loose puck to score with Trenton on the power play.
The Chiefs power play went 1-for-3 while the penalty kill was 2-for-5.
Chiefs
Devils rally, hand Chiefs fifth straight loss
- Chiefs
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Slapshot Cup expands to 18 teams in second year
The Slapshot Cup Hockey Tournament has expanded for its second year in Johnstown.
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Former players rally to help ‘Ziggy'
Randy Rowe felt it was so important to wear the specially designed Ziggy’s Fundraiser sweater that he juggled his schedule and planned a 91⁄2-hour drive from Belleville, Ontario, to Richland Township.
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Johnstown sufferes an epic loss
The final seconds ticked down in the Johnstown Chiefs’ ECHL existence on Saturday night, and even though the hometown team trailed by four goals, a standing-room-only crowd began chanting, “Let’s go Chiefs.”
That chant would be nothing out of the ordinary on most nights. But this game was the last game.
Twenty-two ECHL seasons and thousands of memories came to a conclusion when the Chiefs dropped a 5-3 contest to Elmira at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. -
Mike Mastovich: ‘A sad night for Johnstown’
Scott Allen stood on the New York Islanders bench during Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.
Long Island and the NHL is about as far from Johnstown and the ECHL as one gets on a sunny afternoon. -
Joe Gorden: City teams usually on thin ice
A sellout crowd turned out on Saturday to say goodbye to the ECHL’s
Johnstown Chiefs in their last game at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. The irony was obvious. -
Nailers to play 11 games in Johnstown next year
The thought of loyal Johnstown Chiefs fans rooting for the Wheeling Nailers might have been difficult to grasp a few months ago.
But next season, Johnstown’s hockey fans have no other choice. -
Mike Mastovich: 10 Defining moments in Chiefs history
So, this is it.
Twenty-two ECHL seasons and 1,518 regular-season games.
It ends tonight at a sold-out Cambria County War Memorial Arena. -
Chiefs drop final road game
The Johnstown Chiefs dropped the final road game in team history on Friday night, falling behind early and failing to catch up to the Cincinnati Cyclones in a 5-1 loss in front of more than 10,000 fans at U.S. Bank Arena.
- Arena confirms: Wheeling Nailers to play some games in Johnstown next year
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From goalies to grinders to scorers, the Chiefs have seen it all
Nineteen seasons of covering the Johnstown Chiefs have been filled with numerous ups and downs, unexpected twists and more than enough bizarre antics.
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