Tomahawks Top Eagles in Shootout, Earn 4-3 Win

Mar 21, 2014

Mitch Hall scored the game-winning goal in the shootout, as the Tomahawks defeated the Soo Eagles 4-3 on Saturday night at the Cambria County War Memorial. The Tomahawks have now won three-straight against the Eagles.

Sandis Zolmanis fired a shot past Alex Okicki to give the Soo a 1-0 lead at 5:32 of the first period. Derek Lodermeier and Bruno Birzitis were each credited with assists on the goal. Late in the period, the Tomahawks tied the game, as Tyler Basham took the puck off a deflection and fired it top left past Paige Skoog with 17 seconds remaining. Mitch Hall and Dakoda Menslage added the assist on Basham’s fifth goal of the season.

Brad Pung gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead, scoring at 11:15 of the second period. Denver Pierce and Chase Matson each earned assists on Pung’s goal. Late in the second, Jordan Watt connected on a shot for his 21st goal of the season at 18:57.

The Tomahawks broke the 2-2 tie, as Mitch Hall took a pass on the right side from Matthew Meier and fired it home at 16:46. Less than a minute later, the Eagles tied the game, as Mike Sabatini scored a power-play goal, assisted by Scott Cuthrell and Ryan Urso.

After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout, where the Tomahawks score first, as Basham’s shot went five hole. Soo got their lone shootout goal, as Michael Caruso scored. Mitch Hall got the game-winner in the shootout, scoring on a backhanded shot.

Okicki earned the win, stopping 38 of 41 shots. Skoog took the loss, stopping 38 of 41 shots. The Tomahawks went 1-for-6 on the power play, while Soo went 1-for-5.

The Tomahawks conclude their regular-season home schedule tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. Prizes and giveaways will be handed out throughout the game, and after the game, fans are invited onto the ice for a meet and greet with the team. For more information, visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com.