JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks used a five-goal third period to come back from a 3-1 deficit to fly past the Springfield Jr. Blues 6-3 Wednesday afternoon at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
The Jr. Blues got on the scoreboard first with a power-play goal from Jack Summers who fired a puck from the point past Tomahawks goalie Britt League.
Springfield mounted pressure the rest of the first period and increased the lead to 2-0 when Quinnipiac commit D.J. Petruzzelli potted a wrister behind League.
In the second period, the Tomahawks cut the Springfield lead to 2-1 when Slovakian forward Samuel Solensky fired a one-timer past the glove side of Springfield goalie Devin Cooley.
Tommy Horn and Hayden Rowan assisted on Solensky’s first of the season.
Three minutes later, Christian Simeone put the Jr. Blues back in front by two goals with a power-play goal assited by Brennan Blaszczak and Chase Mickelson.
Springfield would take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
The tide turned in the third period when Springfield’s Fabio Hollenstein was called for a major penalty for boarding, leaving the Tomahawks with a 5 minute power play.
Andy Iehle start the Johnstown scoring parade with a goal at 2:52 of the third period. Horn picked up his second assist on the goal.
Tomahawks defenseman Zak Galambos tied the game at three goals a piece with a wrist shot that beat Cooley. Nick Bruce and Dalton Hunter helped on Galambos’ first of the year.
Lebanon, Pa., native Donovan Ott gave Johnstown its first lead of the afternoon with the Tomahawks’ third power-play goal. Bruce registered the lone helper.
After Springfield forward Josh Bell picked up a minor for cross-checking, the Tomahawks enjoyed a 5-3 for two full minutes.
Hunter cashed in with a power-play marker of his own 39 seconds into the five-on-three advantage. For Hunter, the goal was his fourth in three games and was assisted by Bruce.
With less that five minutes to play in the game, Hunter scored his second of the contest when the chipped a puck past new Springfield goalie Evan Fear. His fifth of the season set the final at 6-3.
Johnstown moves to 3-0-0 on the season while the Jr. Blues slid to 1-2-0.
League earns the victory, setting his record so far to 2-0-0. He made 32 saves on 35 jr. Blues shots.
The Tomahawks continue showcase play Tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 22) for day two of the NAHL Showcase when they face the Minnesota Wilderness at 3:15 p.m.