Team’s leading scorer just trying to stand out

BY MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat

November 19, 2008 11:32 pm

— Petr Pohl grew up in the Czech Republic and started his hockey career in the country that produced NHL stars such as Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka and Dominik Hasek.
Still, Pohl has made a point of playing his own game, being his own man.
“I just always try to be myself,” the Johnstown Chiefs’ leading scorer said on Wednesday. “I’m from Europe and I bring a different type of hockey to the team. It’s not always the simple play that I make. But on the other hand, I have to learn to keep it simple sometimes. I have to find the balance. I have to bring what I can bring and I have to learn what I have to learn.”
A first-year Chief, Pohl has made quite an impression by using his quickness and passing skills to develop into a playmaker on a first-place team.
He has six goals and 16 points.
“It’s only 14 games into the season. It’s not like you can really tell how good of a start it is yet, but for now it’s good that the team is doing well,” Pohl said.
Pohl, 22, practiced Wednesday on a line with Chiefs captain Randy Rowe and all-star Ryan Garlock, the reigning ECHL Player of the Week. That combination represents a lot of scoring punch.
“That’s where I was at practice. A lot changes during the season,” Pohl said. “You never know where you’re going to be the next day. I enjoyed playing with them. They are both really good players.”
Pohl is good, too. He has a knack for creating a big play.
Sometimes, he even tries to do too much – make the perfect pass or seemingly attempt to take on the opposition’s entire defense.
The former Columbus Blue Jackets fifth-round draft pick (2004) is learning to do the simple things.
“I like his skill and I like his trying those things,” Chiefs coach Ian Herbers said. “But at certain times the right play is to get a shot on net or get the puck in deep.”
Not that the coach is complaining.
“Petr’s got skill and speed. When he uses his speed, he’s very effective,” Herbers said. “He can handle the puck in tight areas. He likes to set up plays and make the pretty plays, and those aren’t always available in the games. But he’s come down here and worked hard and had a great attitude. He’s been a positive addition to our team.”
Rowe has a Chiefs-best seven goals and 15 points. The fourth-year Chief sees plenty of potential in Pohl, who spent last season with Youngstown in the CHL (24 goals, 65 points, 56 games) and Dayton (one goal, nine points, seven games).
“Petr is a great skater,” Rowe said. “When he uses his legs out there he creates a lot of opportunities for himself. He’s a smart playmaker. If you give him an opening he’s going to hit you with a pass.”
Pohl developed those skills in Europe. But unlike many of his native Czechs, Pohl didn’t attempt to imitate Jagr when the former Penguins star dominated the NHL in the 1990’s.
“Everybody was into Jagr so much so I was trying to take the best of everybody,” Pohl said. “I never had really one big idol. I looked up to Gretzky and Jagr and other guys. I try to be myself. I can’t be Jaromir Jagr. I can’t be Gretzky. I can be Petr Pohl and try to be my best.”
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Injury update: The Chiefs took a huge hit with the loss of forward Matt Robinson to the 30-day injured reserve.
Robinson suffered an undisclosed lower body injury.
Robinson has been a catalyst, scoring three goals and nine points in 14 games. He had been especially productive playing on a line with Garlock and Andrew Sarauer.
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Coming up short: The Chiefs have scored five short-handed goals. Pretty impressive stuff.
The Chiefs have allowed five short-handed goals. Not so hot.
Johnstown’s power play ranks eighth in the ECHL at 19.5 percent. The penalty kill ranks third at 87.2 percent.
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Chiefs ties: Garlock won the ECHL Player of the Week award and a former Chief netted Goaltender of the Week honors.
Victoria’s Jon Boutin went 2-0-0 with a shutout and 0.50 goals against average and was named Goaltender of the Week. The former Chief is 3-0-1 with two shutouts and a 0.73 GAA in his past four starts.
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ECHL to the NHL: Former Idaho Steelheads goaltender Dan Ellis earned some NHL recognition with the Nashville Predators.
Ellis was named the NHL’s “Third Star” for the week ending Nov. 16 after he went 3-0-0 with two overtime wins and a 2.28 goals against average for the Predators. Ellis was the ECHL’s MVP of the 2004 Kelly Cup playoffs when he led Idaho to the title with 13 wins and three shutouts.