Chiefs Nip Nailers in Overtime
Saturday January 16th, 2010 | Game Recap

Team Stat Comparison

JHN

WHE

Score

4

3

Shots

39

35

Power Play

3/8

2/8

Penalties

8

8

3 Stars

1. Fitzpatrick

2. Schwab

3. J. Fox

Wheeling, WV-- The Nailers fell game to the Johnstown Chiefs 4-3 in overtime Saturday night at WesBanco Arena in Saturday night's action. It was Johnstown's first win in their last 7 games and first win for their interim head coach Neil Smith who is the majority owner of the team.

Leading for the Nailers were Jordan Fox, Thomas Beauregard and Mitch Ganzak who all had goals in back to back games this weekend. Beauregard’s 25th of the year moves him into a tie for the league lead with Ryan Kinasewich of Utah. Beauregard has 5 goals in his last 3 games and also a 5 game goal streak with 7 tallies.

Chance Fitzpatrick scored the game-winner in overtime for the Chiefs in the opening minute.

Troy Schwab led the attack for the Chiefs with a pair of goals while Chris Zarb also had a goal.

A lot of exciting back and forth action took place in the first period. Chris Zarb blasted it in from the center point on the give from Bryan Marshall on the powerplay that gave Johnstown an early 1-0 lead 2:59 into the first.

Jordan Fox tied it up 1-1 with a nice backhander that was flipped up over the shoulder of John Murray 13:38 into the first. It was his 2nd of the weekend and 12th of the year. Blair Yaworski and Chris Davis were both awarded an assist.

About a 1:30 later Troy Schwab cut up the middle and scored on the blocker side of Michael-Lee Teslak that gave the lead back to the Chiefs 2-1.

Minutes later, Thomas Beauregard got a big powerplay goal for the Nailers when he picked up a rebound and got it behind John Murray for his 3rd of the weekend, to tie the game 2-2 at the end of the first. Beauregard has 25 goals and 15 assists and 7 goals in his last 5 games. T.J. Fox and Cleve Kinley got assists.

Wheeling scored to open the second. Mitch Ganzak blasted it home on the powerplay, his 5th of the year and 2nd of the weekend, that gave the Nailers the lead 3-2. Ganzak was chosen to play for the American Conference in the ECHL All-Star Game on January 20th in Ontario, California. He leads the league among defensemen with 23 assists in 38 games. Jordan Fox and Cleve Kinley picked up assists.

Later in the second, Schwab tallied his second of the night on the powerplay as the puck bounced its way behind Teslak to tie it 3-3 at 13:11.

Neither team were able to break the tie in the third. The Nailers went on the power play with 1:58 left in the third but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity which forced the game to go into overtime.

T.J. Fox was sent to the penalty box for 4:00 on a double minor high sticking penalty 17 seconds into the overtime period. Chanse Fitzpatrick redirected a shot from Hendrix over the shoulder of Teslak for the game winner on the Johnstown powerplay that put the Chiefs up 4-3.

The Nailers fall to 20-17-3 and the Chiefs improve to 10-21-7. The Nailers were 2-8 on the powerplay and Johnstown went 3-8 on the powerplay.

Sunday the Nailers will host the Elmira Jackals with a 3:05pm start time. All fans who attended the Friday or Saturday night game get in for half-price! After the game there will be an open-skate with the Nailers players. Don’t forget to bring your skates, gloves, and camera! It is also the last game before the All-Star break

Next week the Nailers are in the Carolinas. They play Charlotte on Friday and South Carolina on Sunday and Tuesday.

Call the Nailers for details at 304-234-GOAL or just show up with your game ticket from either of the games this weekend for your half-price special!

Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team. Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL

Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night is coming January 30th! Before the Nailers tangle with the South Carolina Stingrays we’ll honor the newest inductees: Doug Sauter and Nick Bedway. Sauter is the first head coach of the Wheeling Nailers organization and Nick Bedway was a long-time beat-writer for the team before retiring in 2005. Get your tickets for Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night and other great upcoming Nailers games by calling 304-234-GOAL or log on to wheelingnailers.com to purchase your tickets online.