MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — The New Jersey Titans edged the Johnstown Tomahawks 4-2 at the Middletown Sports Complex Thursday night.
The Titans connected for the game’s first goal seven minutes into the first period when Kyler Head lifted the puck behind Tomahawks netminder Vinnie Purpura.
In the second period, the Titans gained the two-goal advantage after Todd Goehring fired home a goal at 1:57 of the frame. Gordie Helmuth assisted on the goal.
After Tomahawks forward Filips Buncis was penalized for a high-sticking major, the Titans increased their lead to 3-0.
Greg Malafronte scored the lone goal on the five-minute power play at 13:13 of the second period. Helmuth picked up the helper on the goal.
Johnstown would try to mount a late-period comeback before the third period when Adam Pilewicz’s wrist shot from the blueline found its way behind Titans goaltender Ryan Ferland. For Pilewicz, the goal was his fourth of the campaign and was assisted by Mitchell Hale.
The Tomahawks cut the deficit to 3-2 with less than 2 minutes remaining when Donovan Ott scored a power play goal assisted by Hayden Rowan. The goal was Ott’s 26th of the season.
New Jersey regained the two-goal advantage early in the third period. Dylan Healy deflected a shot from Zach Parrott to move the score to 4-2 Titans.
Purpura stopped 25 of 29 New Jersey shots on goal to move his record to 10-3-1 on the season. Ferland halted 24 of 26 Tomahawks shots in the victory.
The Tomahawks are back on the ice against New Jersey Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Middletown, N.J. Johnstown returns to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena March 17-18 for a St. Patrick’s Green Out Weekend. The team will wear specialty Irish jerseys against the Aston Rebels presented by the Holiday Inn.