Game Preview: Johnstown @ Michigan 2/28/2014

Feb 26, 2014

Johnstown at Michigan
Friday February 28th
7 p.m.

The Series
The Johnstown Tomahawks and Michigan Warriors begin their final weekend series of the regular-season tonight in Flint, Mich. The Tomahawks have taken six of the ten meetings this season, including the most recent pair of games in Johnstown, Feb. 14 and 15. The Tomahawks took game one 5-0, before picking up the weekend sweep with an exciting 6-4 victory. Jordan Watt had four goals on the weekend, and Alex Okicki earned both wins. The Tomahawks and Warriors are currently tied for second in the NAHL North division, with Michigan holding a pair of extra games still to be played.

The Tomahawks
Johnstown comes into the weekend series after taking three of four points against the Wenatchee Wild last weekend at the War Memorial. The Tomahawks won Friday night’s game, thanks to another hat trick by Jordan Watt. Joe Drabin scored the game-winning goal for the Tomahawks, and Shane Bednard added two assists. In the second game, the Tomahawks trailed 2-1 late in the third period, before Dakoda Menslage scored an extra-attacker goal with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. The game went into overtime, where David Powlowski earned the game-winner for the Wild 14 seconds into the period. Following this weekend’s games, the Tomahawks welcome the Janesville Jets to the War Memorial March 7 and 8.

The Warriors
Michigan returns home after completing a four-game road trip with a split against Springfield last weekend. The Warriors took game one 3-2, with Colin Larkin netting the game-winner 12 minutes into the third period. Sean Campbell and Cody Kuster each added goals for the Warriors. In the second game, Michigan jumped out to a 2-1 lead, before the Jr. Blues scored three unanswered goals to earn a 4-2 victory and a weekend sweep. The Warriors head back out on the road next weekend, traveling to Soo next Friday and Saturday.

Division Preview
All six North division teams are in action this weekend, as Port Huron travels to Soo and Springfield travels to Janesville. The division race is tight with Johnstown and Michigan tied with 56 points. Springfield leads both Janesville and Soo for the final playoff spot by two points with Janesville holding a one game advantage in the standings.

Key Stats

  • The Tomahawks have outscored the Warriors in their 10 meetings, 30-24.
  • Matthew Meier leads the Tomahawks with 12 points (5G-7A) against the Warriors. Colin Larkin and Zack Szajner lead the Warriors with seven points against the Tomahawks.
  • The Tomahawks are 4-0-1 in their last five games. Michigan is 2-3-0 in their last five.