JOHNSTOWN — Jeff Flanagan hardly can wait until he doesn’t hear or read the question:
“When are the Johnstown Chiefs going to win a game?”
The first-year Chiefs coach has had the misfortune of being on the wrong side of seven ECHL scores in his debut season on the Chiefs’ bench. The last four setbacks have all been by one goal, a sign that the 0-6-1-0 Chiefs are close to breaking through but also just a tad snake-bitten.
“There’s always pressure,” said Flanagan during a phone interview Wednesday as the Chiefs traveled by bus to Cincinnati for tonight’s 7:30 game at U.S. Bank Arena.
“The guys are still very focused. We talked at the start of the year and said that in order for us to be successful we’re going to have to overcome adversity. We’re definitely seeing that now.
“The guys are keeping their nose to the grindstone. The last two games we have played well. Our penalties have hurt us, being in the box.
And not being able to score on the power play has hurt us. Those are the biggest things that have hurt us. I think we will be better on both sides this week.”
After tonight’s game at Cincinnati, the Chiefs visit Wheeling on Saturday. The team returns home for games against Reading on Nov. 11 and Wheeling on Nov. 13.
Addressing the present situation, Flanagan made two roster moves.
He claimed forward Moises Gutierrez off waivers from the Alaska Aces on Wednesday. Gutierrez played most of last season with the Elmira Jackals, picking up 11 goals, 23 points and
83 penalty minutes in 37 ECHL games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Gutierrez in the sixth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The
6-foot-4, 227-pounder is a native of Anchorage.
“He’s a big guy,” Flanagan said.
“He can work in front of the net. I think he’s going to help us in power play situations and creating net-front chaos so we can get some shots in on rebounds.
“We’re picking him up at the airport in Pittsburgh on the way to Cincinnati. He’ll be in the lineup in Cincinnati.”
To make room for Gutierrez the Chiefs waived forward Tyler Hirsch, who was in his second stint in Johnstown.
Hirsch also played for the Chiefs in 2007-08 before being traded to Stockton. Hirsch, a former University of Minnesota standout, didn’t play last season. He had one assist in six games this season.
“We needed to get better,” Flanagan said of the move.
“We’ve been working real hard and the guys have been doing the things they’ve been asked. We’ve been snake-bitten. Our defensive zone has been just OK. We need to get better. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Cincinnati long has been a Johnstown nemesis, including last season when the Cyclones beat the Chiefs four times in the final five games to eliminate them from the playoffs. Former coach Ian Herbers’ team finished one point out of the postseason field.
On Oct. 17, the Cyclones defeated the Chiefs 2-0 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. Cincinnati scored two short-handed goals to spoil the Chiefs season opener.
“The last time we played them we played very well. We had two very unfortunate goals scored against us,” Flanagan said. “I think we’ve matched up well with all of the teams we’ve seen so far. We just need to do some little things better. We have to stay out of the box and score on the power play.”
Local Sports
Chiefs chase first victory tonight at Cincinnati
- Local Sports
-
-
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Monday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
The Johnstown Generals will open their second season on the road at Cincinnati on March 3 but will play just three of their 10 remaining games away from Cambria County War Memorial according to a league schedule posted on the United Indoor Football League’s website at uiflfootball.com.
-
Crosby practices with Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season.
-
Report: Haley will be Steelers’ next O-coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.
-
Happy Valley readies itself for a new brand of football under Bill O’Brien
White placards with a set of rules were affixed to the glass doors of the players’ entrance at the Penn State football building about the time Bill O’Brien agreed to become the school’s next football coach.
-
Giant Step: New York scores late to beat New England
Eli Manning is the big man in the NFL after one-upping Tom Brady and leading the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl – in older brother Peyton’s house, at that.
-
Panthers win fourth consecutive game
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He’s almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.
-
Brodeur, Devils shut down Penguins
While Ilya Kovachuk refuses to take credit for the New Jersey Devils’ surge since the All-Star break, his teammates can see that the forward has elevated his game.
-
Mifflin County bests Westmont Hilltop in District 6 Class AAA semis
Mifflin County finished Saturday’s District 6 Class AAA semifinal with a flourish – both in the dual meet and individual matches – on the way to a 36-26 victory over Westmont Hilltop.
-
Bedford captures District 5 crown
Michael Brett is known for his ability to lock up a cross-face cradle.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
High school basketball in brief
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
