BY ETHAN BLOUGH
JOHNSTOWN — The Johnstown Chiefs finally gave their home fans something to cheer about Friday night, beating the Reading Royals 7-2 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The Chiefs overcame an early two-goal, first-period deficit with a good second period and a better third to earn the team’s seventh win on home ice.
“I didn’t know we knew how to open it up,” Chiefs coach Neil Smith said. “I think that was a combination of our guys working hard and not giving up and their side getting a little frustrated.”
The Chiefs scored twice to take the two-period lead and goaltender Kris Mayotte was steady in the middle frame, stopping all 12 shots he faced.
Chiefs forward Brian Kaufman tied the game at 2 with a 5-on-3 goal 2:17 into the second.
The Chiefs took their first lead when forward Dan Gendur cut in front of Reading goalie Andrew Engelage to tip-in a Chris Chambers shot 14:29 into the second period.
“I don’t really know what else to say other than our team played a great game from the first period until the end,” Smith said. “I think our guys really want to win. They would rather have fans cheering for them than booing them or screaming at them - and that’s happened this year in this building.”
Chiefs forward Jeff Martens scored his fifth of the season to give Johnstown a 4-2 lead less than three minutes into the third. Sean Berkstresser and Jim McKenzie assisted on the insurance goal. Chambers padded the Johnstown lead with his first of the season 10:08 into the third. Gendur added his second of the game and Chanse Fitzpatrick scored his 27th of the season in the third.
“It was an embarassing game for us tonight,” Reading coach Larry Courville said. “They came out and they worked hard from the drop of the puck for the full 60 minutes. They deserved to win.”
Reading scored two goals on four shots to start the game. Bryan Ewing scored first for the Royals on the power play and 54 seconds later, Cruthers added another man-advantage goal.
Chiefs winger McKenzie cut the deficit in half for Johnstown by banging in a rebound in front at 15:14 of the first.
Earlier Friday, Johnstown traded defenseman Trevor Hendrikx and forward Mike Bartlett to Charlotte for future considerations.
Notes: Former Chiefs player Gerry Zaccaria was in attendance Friday night. Zaccaria played 11 games for the 1987-88 Chiefs during the inaugural season in the AAHL. The New Jersey resident had to see the ECHL’s oldest franchise play a couple more games in the historic arena. “There was so much enthusiasm when I played,” Zaccaria said. “We used to pack this place in. There would be thousands of people here. It’s really a shame to see it go.” … Referee Colin Kronforst made his ECHL debut Friday night. He’s officiated junior hockey in the USHL and professional in the SPHL. … The Chiefs play one of their final four home games tonight against Wheeling - great seats are still available.
