Charlotte, N.C. – The Johnstown Chiefs lost 6-2 Saturday to the Charlotte Checkers, losing its second consecutive game at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Strong special teams play by the Checkers proved to be the difference as Charlotte finished the game with three power-play goals and one short-handed. It was the second consecutive loss for Johnstown, which lost to Charlotte 7-4 Friday in the first of a three-game road trip through the ECHL South Division.
The Checkers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 4:15 of the first period. Charlotte’s Matt Schepke, who recorded his first professional hat trick during Friday’s win, carried the puck the length of the ice and found Devin Didiomete for a one-timer that beat Johnstown goalie Kris Mayotte for his second goal of the season. Schepke and defenseman Steve Ward assisted.
Charlotte improved its lead to 2-0 with its second short-handed goal against the Chiefs in two games. With Schepke serving a minor penalty for hooking, Julien Brouillette was able to take advantage of a bad bounce on a dump-in by Johnstown defenseman Trevor Hendrikx and find Daniel Tkaczuk with a long lead pass to center ice. Tkaczuk broke in alone and beat Mayotte on the backhand for his second goal of the season at 12:34. Brouillette earned the lone assist.
Both teams skated evenly to begin the second period, but a number of penalties to Johnstown allowed Charlotte to add to its lead. With a minor penalty to Mayotte for hooking, Michel Leveille controlled the puck along the boards and found Doig in the slot for his fourth goal of the season at 13:34. Roche and Leveille assited on the goal, and the Checkers took a 3-0 lead.
Special teams continued to be the focus as Johnstown scored its own power-play goal at 17:24, cutting Charlotte’s lead to 3-1. Checkers goaltender Frank Doyle was unable to control a low, hard wrist shot by Chiefs right wing Mike Bartlett, allowing Dan Collins to tap in the rebound for his third of the season. Bartlett earned the lone helper.
The Chiefs appeared to be building momentum after Collins’ tally, but penalties to Hendrikx and Collins in the final minutes of the period allowed the Checkers to take advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and improve its lead to 4-1 at 19:50. Leveille recorded his 10th goal of the season, one-timing the puck behind Mayotte to finish the scoring after two periods. Brouiellette and Doig assisted.
Johnstown’s Russ Sinkewich cut Charlotte’s lead to 4-2 with a quick, hard shot off the face-off that beat Doyle between the pads at 1:35 of the third period. The goal, assisted by Troy Schwab, was Sinkewich’s second of the season.
The Checkers added its third power-play goal of the game, taking advantage of a tripping penalty to Chiefs defenseman Mike Couch to gain the 5-3 lead at 11:06. Roche scored his seventh goal of the season, assisted by Doig and Jared Nightingale. Charlotte scored again when Brouiellette added his seventh of the season at 16:13 for the 6-3 final with Tyler assisting.
The loss dropped Johnstown to 2-2-2-0 in its last six games and 3-8-3-0 overall. Charlotte improved to 9-3-1-1 and moved within two points of the South Division-leading South Carolina Sting Rays with 20 points. The Chiefs remain in last place in the North Division with nine points.
Johnstown will finish its three-game road trip Sunday against the South Carolina Sting Rays. The Chiefs return home Wednesday, Nov. 25 to host the Reading Royals.
Scoring:
Team: 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Johnstown: 0 1 1 2
Charlotte: 2 2 2 6
Shots: 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Johnstown: 9 6 18 33
Charlotte: 13 11 10 34
Power Play:
Johnstown: 1-for-4
Charlotte: 3-for-5
Three Stars:
1. Charlotte – Tyler Doig
2. Charlotte – Michel Leveille
3. Charlotte – Kenny Roche
Notes:
Johnstown winger Moises Gutierrez did not play due to injuries suffered during Friday’s loss to the Checkers. After fighting with Devin Didiomete, Gutierrez was attacked by Charlotte’s T.J. Reynolds and left the game during the second period.
[This story was edited by the author Nov.22, 2009]
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