Published: October 31, 2009 12:40 am      

Chiefs unable to complete comeback

TRENTON, N.J. — The Johnstown Chiefs were defeated by the Trenton Devils by a score of 3-2 on Friday night at the Sovereign Bank Arena.

The Chiefs got the quick start they had been looking for against the Devils and were able to register the first four shots of the game.

Gerald Coleman, though in his first start of the season, showed good form and was able to stem the tide of the Chiefs’ early surge.

Johnstown took the first penalty of the game with a bench minor for too many men at 3:18, but the penalty kill was successful and looked to put momentum back in the Chiefs’ favor.

The situation continued to improve when the Chiefs were awarded a power play with 8:36 gone by.

But an innocent-looking shot by Dan Eves from 50 feet away handcuffed Kris Mayotte and Trenton ended up with a 1-0 lead at 8:52.

At the start of the second period, Trenton was able to capitalize quickly on an opportunity to stretch its lead to two.

A point shot by Andy Thomas was tipped in front by David Leaderer and it danced past the glove of Mayotte. A third straight goal, this time by Tony Zancanaro, would chase Mayotte at 7:53 of the second.

Shane Connelly didn’t allow a goal for the rest of the period, and a score by Mike Bartlett started to chip away at the Trenton lead. On the rush, Ryan Menei fed Sean Berkstresser on the left wing.

His shot rang off the pipe behind Coleman, but Bartlett was right there to tap it in for his second goal of the season.

The Chiefs poured it on in the third period with 17 shots against Coleman.

Connelly did his best for the Chiefs and was perfect in relief of Mayotte with 12 saves and gave Johnstown a chance late in the game.

Jim McKenzie scored in his Chiefs debut with a score off of a rebound.

Ryan Del Monte won a faceoff back to Mike Knight at the right point, and his slap shot was blocked right to McKenzie in the slot.

Johnstown kept Connelly pulled for the extra attacker, but in spite of a furious flurry in the final seconds could not find the back of the net for the third time.

Mayotte was saddled with the loss as he went 14-for-17 on save opportunities.

Johnstown’s power play went 0-for-7 on the night and the penalty kill went 7-for-7.

The Chiefs are back on home ice on Nov. 11 against the Reading Royals at 7:35 p.m. There will be a special pregame ceremony to honor military veterans, and the Chiefs will be wearing special camouflage jerseys that will be auctioned off live immediately following the game. The Chiefs are also offering $5 tickets to all active military and military veterans through advance purchase.

Tickets: www.johnstownchiefs.com or by calling (800) TICKETMASTER.