By MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat
November 30, 2008 12:19 am
—
The defending Kelly Cup champions’ top line was in postseason form Saturday night at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
That was bad news for the Johnstown Chiefs.
Behind forward Thomas Beauregard’s four goal/five-point night, the Cincinnati Cyclones defeated the Chiefs, 6-3, snapping Johnstown’s seven-game home winning streak.
“We weren’t moving our feet. We were standing around. We were a step behind. We were watching and waiting for someone to get going,” Chiefs coach Ian Herbers said. “When you’re playing short-handed, everybody needs to step up and everybody needs to respond. You need to find a way to get going.”
The Chiefs had won four consecutive games and 11 of 12 overall to lead the North Division. Fifth-place Cincinnati is making a charge in the division, closing within nine points of Johnstown after winning its third straight.
As has been the case for most of the past month, the Chiefs lost a couple players to AHL call ups before Saturday’s game. Defensemen Mike Knight (Lake Erie) and Kyle Wharton (Syracuse) left after Friday night’s 3-2 shootout win over visiting Trenton.
The Chiefs have had nine players recalled to the AHL since Oct. 29 and lost one of their top playmakers, Matt Robinson, to injury.
Despite the fluctuating roster, Johnstown managed to post a league-best 28 points through Friday’s games.
“It’s a grind,” Herbers said. “It’s a long season. But they’re professionals and they need to do what it takes to win. They have to play a little smarter and not put us in bad situations. Keep things simple until the legs and bodies get going.”
Beauregard scored twice three minutes apart in the first period against goalie Kris Mayotte. Oliver Latendresse assisted on both, and Barret Ehgoetz assisted on one.
“It’s been the last three games I’ve played with Latendresse and Ehgoetz,” Beauregard said. “We were used to playing together because last year we played together. This year was totally different because we’re not the same team as last year and they wanted to try new stuff. Now we’re playing together.”
Chiefs veteran Jason Spence pulled Johnstown within 2-1 by scoring 11 seconds after Beauregard’s second goal. Spence put in a rebound of Dave Schulz’s shot from the right point.
In the second period, Latendresse scored at 6:54 and Ben Gordon hit the net at 14:47.
The Chiefs countered with Trevor Hendrikx’s first of the season 59 seconds later, and Petr Pohl scored 4:50 into the third on a play set up by Mike Bartlett and newcomer Andy Contois’ quickness to make it 4-3.
“That goal we finally used some speed and we finally started to skate, playing the way we should be playing,” Herbers said. “That was the only time we really generated any speed. When we do that, you see what happens.”
Beauregard completed his hat trick at 7:04 and added his fourth of the game at 13:05, both against goaltender Ian Keserich, who replaced Mayotte in the third.
“When you’re on the road it’s never easy, especially in Johnstown,” Beauregard said. “Petr Pohl scored a big goal but we came right back and scored a huge goal and another one right after. When you’re on the road, you can’t ask for better.”
Cyclones coach Chuck Weber recorded his 100th regular-season win a night after Herbers had his 50th win.
The Chiefs host Florida tonight. The South Division-leading Everblades (12-3-1-0) have only three regulation losses.
“Every night is a difficult game,” Herbers said. “This game is over with. We’ve got to be mad at ourselves for coming out with a lackluster effort. (Today) is a new day. We need to come out fresh, play smart and play our game.”
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