JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 3-2 in the shootout Saturday afternoon at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton once again tallied the game’s first goal of the season when Reed Robinson scored at 11:22 of the first period.
Johnstown would fire quality scoring chances at Knights goaltender Grant Valentine but the Knights carried at 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
In the second period, the Tomahawks peppered Valentine early and often but still the Knights netminder stood tall.
Finally, at 13:14 of the middle period, Riley Doyon solved the back of the net for his third goal of the season. Hayden Rowan and Evan Somoza picked up the helpers.
The Tomahawks gained the lead at 9:43 of the third period when Donovan Ott rifled a shot past Valentine for his 25th of the season. Josh Biasillo picked up the lone assist.
Knights forward Paul Maust tied the game up at 2-2 late in the third period to force the game into overtime.
The extra period solved nothing so both teams headed to a shootout.
Josh Norman played the hero as his goal secured the Tomahawks 3-2 win.
Vinnie Purpura stopped 31 of 33 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton shots on goal en route to the win. Valentine was just as sharp with 38 saves on 40 shots.
The Tomahawks will now focus on the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Plymouth, Mich., Monday, Feb 27 and Tuesday, Feb. 28. Johnstown will send seven representatives to the tournament as well as have full coverage of the two-day event. Games can be viewed on HockeyTV.