Johnstown Drops Game One of North Division Play-In Series, 3-0
By Bre Lehman
Max Milosek made 22 saves to shut out the Tomahawks and lead the Fighting Falcons to victory in Game One of the divisional play-in round of the 2013 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs.
Ryan Nick, Mitch Maloney, and Rick DeRosa powered the offense for Port Huron. All three goals came in the third period after the solid defensive start to the game.
The first period saw both teams with a few chances, but Chris Truehl and Max Milosek held their ground to keep the game scoreless. Port Huron had an early power-play opportunity that was killed off by Johnstown.
The second period was much of the same as the defensive battle continued. Port Huron had an early two-on-one opportunity, but Truehl swept the puck off to the corner. The Tomahawks got their first power play of the game, but the Fighting Falcons applied the pressure and killed it off.
The scoring broke open in the third when DeRosa shot the puck to the net shorthanded. The puck then bounced off the skate of Ryan Nick and in behind Truehl. The referees conferred about the goal but deemed that it was not kicked in.
Less than two minutes later Dan Dupell shot the puck towards the net and Maloney was there to poke home the rebound.
With under two minutes to go, Johnstown pulled Truehl for the extra attacker. DeRosa cashed in on the empty net to seal the victory for the Fighting Falcons, 3-0.
Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play, but Port Huron did win the special teams battle with a shorthanded goal.
Johnstown will look to even the series tomorrow night at 7 p.m. If they do need a deciding game three, the two teams will be in Johnstown on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for that game will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets at the War Memorial Box Office until 5 p.m., through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or on JohnstownTomahawks.com.