PITTSTON, Pa – The Johnstown Tomahawks used a shorthanded goal and a power play goal to defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 2-1 at the Revolution Ice Centre Saturday night.
The Tomahawks managed start the game by firing the game’s first eight shots on net. The Tomahawks withheld the Knights from registering a shot on goal until the nine minute mark of the first period.
Johnstown scored the game’s first goal when Luke Lynch buried a shot past Knights goaltender Grant Valentine shorthanded. For Lynch the goal was his fourteenth of the season.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton evened the score in the second period when Stephen Kelly’s wrist shot got past Tomahawks goalie Andrew Lindgren. Matt Beranek and Tanner Bennett were credited with the assists.
Five minutes later, the Tomahawks regained the advantage when Casey Linkenheld slipped a puck behind Valentine. The goal came with the man advantage and was Linkenheld’s tenth goal of the season.
The Tomahawks defense stepped up in the third period and did not allow the Knights to generate quality scoring chances against Lindgren en route to picking up a 2-1 victory.
Lindgren earned his third win, saving 30 shot on net while Valentine takes the loss in a 32 save performance.
Johnstown will return to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena for the traditional New Year’s Eve Thursday Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. for home game against the Kenai River Brown Bears. For tickets, visit the War Memorial Box Office or call 814-536-GOAL.