The Johnstown Tomahawks earned an important point in a 3-2 shootout loss against the Springfield Jr. Blues on Friday night at the Nelson Center in Springfield, Ill. With the point, the Tomahawks are tied with Janesville for third place in the North Division.
Igor Vladykovskii got the Jr. Blues on the board first, scoring an unassisted goal 15:14 into the first period. Casey Linkenheld tied the game 1:51 into the second period with his first goal of the season. Jordan Watt added an assist on the goal. Less than two minutes later, Springfield regained the lead on a Lester Lancaster goal. Mike Severson was credited with the assist on the goal.
Shane Bednard tied the game at 15:59 of the third period, firing a shot over the glove of Springfield goaltender Tyger Howat. Dakoda Menslage and Mitch Hall each added assists on Bednard’s 19th goal of the season.
After a scoreless overtime period, the teams went to a shootout where Springfield outscored the Tomahawks 3-2. Zach Wallace and Mitch Hall scored for the Tomahawks, while Alex Baskakov, Logan Wendling, and Trevor Stone scored for the Jr. Blues.
Howat earned the win, stopping 36 of 38 shots and four of six in the shootout. Alex Okicki took the loss stopping 46 of 48 shots in regulation and three of six in the shootout. Johnstown went 1-for-4 on the power play, and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The Tomahawks and Jr. Blues conclude their weekend series tomorrow night at 8:05 p.m. Johnstown returns home for Fan Appreciation Weekend, March 21-23, against the Soo Eagles. For more information, visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com or call 814-536-4625.