BLAINE, Minn. – Penalties proved costly for the Johnstown Tomahawks as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Janesville Jets Thursday afternoon at Schwan Super Rink.
Janesville broke the scoreless tie early in the first period when Nick Solis backhanded a shot behind Tomahawks goalie Vinnie Purpura at the 5:59 mark of the frame. Simon Sagissor registered the lone assist.
The Jets increased their advantage to 2-0 two minutes later with a Brendan MacLaren goal, his second of the season. Jakov Novak and Kip Hoffmann picked up the assists.
Johnstown cut the Jets lead to 2-1 at 9:01 of the first as Carter Dwyer’s point shot beat Janesville goalie Garrett Nieto. His first of the season was assisted by Nic Azarovitz and Samuel Solensky.
In the second period, penalties got the best of the Tomahawks as Janesville capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play. MacLaren scored his second of the game assisted by Alec Semandel and Hoffmann.
The Tomahawks would be unable to generate offense on Nieto as Janesville played stifling defense in the second and the rest of the third period to set the final at 3-1.
The Tomahawks continue the NAHL Showcase with a 12:30 p.m. contest with the Aberdeen Wings Friday, Sept. 22. Johnstown opens the 2017-18 home portion of their schedule on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial. October 14 is Hawktoberfest Opening Night presented by 1st Summit Bank, which begins at 5 p.m. Individual tickets are now available by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting the 1st Summit Arena box office.
