JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks entertained the fans at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena Saturday night by lighting the lamp seven times in 7-5 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton started the goal scoring early in the first period when Matt Kidney finished a two-on-one pass from Curtis Carlson to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Dorian Dawson picked up the secondary assist.
Carlson increased the Knights advantage to 2-0 with his goal at 3:31 of the first period. Kidney and Jimmy Elser assisted on the goal.
The Tomahawks cut the deficit to 2-1 three minutes later when Hayden Rowan fired home a puck off the juicy rebound given by Knights goaltender Matteo Esposito. Daniil Bokun and Joey Kile picked up the assists.
Before the end of the first period, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton regained the two-goal lead when Sam Antonitsch deflected a shot from Joey Kubachka with two minutes remaining.
In the second period, the Tomahawks got within striking distance when Logan Stork scored his third goal in two games 37 seconds into the period. Nick Bruce and Tommy Horn picked up the assists.
The Tomahawks tied the game at 3-3 at 3:22 of the second frame when Josh Biasillo fired a puck past Esposito. Riely Doyon and Alex Singley helped on the goal.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton regained the one goal lead when Antonitsch deflected a Markuss Komuls shot past goaltender Drew Hotte.
Johnstown would not lay down as Bruce netted his first of two goals on the night at 18:16 of the middle frame.
A wild second period led to a wilder third as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton again took control early as Michael Morrissey rifled a puck past Hotte for a 5-4 Knights lead.
The theme of the night continued at 13:47 when the Tomahawks answered once again.
Bruce deflected a Bokun shot past Esposito shorthanded for his second goal of the game.
Johnstown would lead for the first and only time in the game when Dalton Hunter scored five-hole on Esposito on the power play for a 6-5 Tomahawks advantage. Filips Buncis and Adam Pilewicz registered the helpers.
The game was set at the 7-5 final when Andrew Quetell scored an empty-net goal with one second remaining in the game.
Both teams return to the ice tomorrow night for an entertaining conclusion to Kids Weekend. Fans will not want to miss the zany ZOOperstars tomorrow night at 7 p.m. as they will perform their world-famous routine during the first intermission.