Game Preview
vs. Keystone
Regular Season Game #9 Home Game #1
The Tomahawks open the home schedule tonight, taking their in-state rivals, the Keystone Ice Miners. The teams opened the season in Connellsville, with the Ice Miners taking the first meeting 5-4. The Tomahawks are 9-13-5 all-time against the Ice Miners, including a 4-6-2 record at the War Memorial. Following tonight’s game, the Tomahawks and Ice Miners conclude their weekend home-and-home series in Connellsville tomorrow afternoon.
The Tomahawks
The Tomahawks make their home debut after going 4-5-0 in their first nine games. They split their most recent weekend series against the Michigan Warriors, winning on October 10th, before being shutout the next night.
In the first game of the weekend, Cam Bleck scored a pair of goals, as the Tomahawks defeated the Warriors 4-0. Andrew Romano and Alex Jaeckle each scored goals, while Casey Linkenheld added two assists. Ryan Bednard stopped all 27 shots he faced, earning his first shutout of the season.
In the second game of the weekend, the Warriors shutout the Tomahawks, 3-0. Ryan Wischow stopped all 29 shots he faced for the Warriors, while Jake Gwillim stopped 30 of 33 shots in the loss.
Following this weekend’s games, the Tomahawks travel to Soo next Friday and Saturday. They return home to take on Michigan Nov. 7-9.
The Ice Miners
The Ice Miners come into this weekend after losing two of three games in Springfield. The Ice Miners fell 3-1 on October 10th, before winning 4-0 the following night. The Ice Miners lost the weekend finale 5-4, giving up the game-winning goal early in the third period.
Lucas Little had three points in the three games, while Jon Hall scored goals in two of the three games. Nick Kossoff earned the win, stopping all 27 shots he faced. Alex Blankenburg took both losses on the weekend. The Ice Miners are off next weekend, before hosting Janesville for a pair of games the following weekend.
North Division
Five of the six North Division teams are in action tonight, as Soo travels to Michigan and Janesville travels to Coulee Region. Springfield is the lone North Division team that is off this weekend. Last night, Soo defeated Michigan 4-3, while Janesville defeated Coulee Region 5-2.
Facts & Notes
- Tomahawks goaltender Jake Gwillim was acquired by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, in exchange for future considerations. Gwillim was 2-1-0 for the Tomahawks this season.
- Johnstown defenseman Alex Jaeckle has six points (2G,4A) in his last five games.
- Tanner Barnes has three points (1G-2A) for Johnstown. against Keystone this season. Jacob Coleman leads Keystone against Johnstown with three points (2G,1A).
- Keystone is 5-1-0 when leading after two periods this season.
- The Tomahawks are one of seven NAHL teams that have not played in an overtime/ regulation game this season.
- The Tomahawks are looking for their first home opener win in team history, after losing the previous two home openers to Port Huron.