Tomahawks Top Roadrunners 5-2

Sep 20, 2017

BLAINE, Minn. – The Johnstown Tomahawks picked up a 5-2 victory over the Topeka Roadrunners Wednesday night during day one of the annual NAHL Showcase.

Johnstown scored the game’s first marker at 8:39 of the first period when Joe Kile’s wrist shot found its way behind Topeka netminder Sam Metcalf. His third of the season was assisted by Samuel Solensky.

Later in the first, the Roadrunners capitalized on a Tomahawks turnover and tied the game when Dylan Rauh scored his first of the season.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances early in the second period until the Tomahawks broke the 1-1 tie.

On the power play, defenseman Karim Del Ponte fired home a shot from the blueline for his first of the season. Solensky and Andrew Quetell picked up assists.

Johnstown carried the 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

Just 34 seconds into the third period, the Tomahawks increased the score to 3-1 when Solensky deflected Del Ponte’s shot past Metcalf.

The Roadrunners cut the deficit to 3-2 with a shorthanded marker from Joey Moore at 4:29 of the third but Johnstown would answer back quickly.

Forward Joey Baez scored at 7:26 of the third for a 4-2 Johnstown lead. Mitchell Hale assisted on Baez’s first of the season.

Kile added an empty-net goal with 50 seconds remaining in regulation to set the final at 5-2.

Johnstown goalie Vinnie Purpura stopped 28 of 30 Topeka shots in the victory, moving his record to 2-1-0 on the season.

The Tomahawks continue the NAHL Showcase with a 2:15 p.m. contest with the Janesville Jets. Johnstown opens the 2017-18 home portion of their schedule on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial. October 14 is Hawktoberfest Opening Night presented by 1st Summit Bank, which begins at 5 p.m. Individual tickets are now available by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting the 1st Summit Arena box office.