Game Preview
vs. Michigan
Sunday December 7th 5 p.m.
The Tomahawks close out a three-game homestand this evening, as they welcome the Michigan Warriors to the War Memorial. The Tomahawks hold a 4-3 advantage in the season series, including a 2-1 record here at the War Memorial. Johnstown took the lead in the season series here at the War Memorial in November. They took the first game of the weekend 2-1, before falling 7-2 on Nov. 8. Johnstown finished off the weekend with a 3-1 win on Nov. 9.
Johnstown and Michigan meet four more times this season, with the next two meetings being played in Michigan Feb. 7 and 8. The Tomahawks host the final two meetings March 13 and 14.
The Tomahawks
Johnstown enters tonight’s game, after splitting a weekend series against Janesville last weekend. In the first game of the weekend, Dakoda Menslage and Zach Zech each scored, and Ryan Bednard stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 2-1 victory. Steve Quagliata also added a pair of assists in the victory.
In the second game, Janesville scored with 14 seconds remaining in regulation to take the 3-2 victory. Trevor Recktenwald scored first for the Tomahawks, with Joe Drabin and Jake Houston getting the assists. Cam Bleck tied the game early in the third period, with the assist going to Menslage. Bednard took the loss, stopping 19 of 22 shots.
The Tomahawks are 6-3-1 in their last ten games, with four of those wins coming on home ice.
Following tonight’s games, the Tomahawks travel to Springfield next weekend for a three-game series against the Jr. Blues. They return home to start a home-and-home series against the Keystone Ice Miners Dec. 19.
The Warriors
Michigan makes its way to Johnstown to close out the weekend, after splitting games against Keystone on Friday and Saturday nights.
On Friday night, the Warriors were shut out by Keystone 3-0. Ryan Wischow suffered the loss, stopping 33 of 35 shots.
Michigan rebounded on Saturday with a 3-1 win against the Ice Miners. AJ Marcinek broke open the scoreless game with a goal early in the third period. After Keystone tied the game, Garrison Sanipass and Marcinek scored in the last five minutes of the period to earn the victory. Hunter Vorva earned the win in his first start for the Warriors, stopping 32 of 33 shots.
The Warriors return home for a game against the Soo Eagles on Wednesday night. They then travel to Sault Ste. Marie for a pair of road games against the eagles next Friday and Saturday.
Facts & Notes
· The Tomahawks are 2-0-1 on Sunday this season. Last season they were 5-2-0.
· The Tomahawks and Warriors are both ranked among the top ten teams in the league for penalty kill percentage.
· Michigan is 0-10-1 when trailing after two periods
· Johnstown is 11-6-1 all-time in December games.