Tomahawks Look to Clinch Playoff Spot This Weekend
Johnstown, Pa. – This weekend the Johnstown Tomahawks will attempt to solidify their spot as a top six-seeded team in the North Division as they travel to Wings West Arena to face off against the Kalamazoo Jr. K–Wings for two games in the penultimate series of the regular season. The Tomahawks need only one point – earned through a victory or an overtime or shootout loss – in order to secure their place in the 2013 Robertson Cup Playoffs.
Based upon their finish in the NAHL regular-season standings, the third– through sixth–place teams in the North Division only will compete in a “Play–in Series” that will result in two teams advancing to the Division Semi-Finals along with the first– and second–place teams, who receive byes. The third-place team will face the sixth-place team, while the fourth–place team will face the fifth–place team, in a best–of–three “Play–in Series” during the first week of April. Dates will be announced soon.
Currently the Sault Ste. Marie Eagles, Jamestown Ironmen, and Kalamazoo Jr. K–Wings have clinched the first, second, and third places, respectively, in the North Division. In addition to earning one point, the Tomahawks can also clinch a spot in the Play in Series if current seventh–place team Springfield loses one game in either regulation or overtime. Both Johnstown and Springfield have four games remaining in their regular–season schedules.
On Saturday, March 23, the Tomahawks will meet the Jr. K–Wings for the seventh time this season for a 2 p.m. EST puck drop. Johnstown carries a strong record against its division rival into the series, having never lost a game in regulation to Kalamazoo (4-0-2). The Tomahawks (24-20-12) enter the weekend with an 11-9-6 road record while the Jr. K-Wings (34-17-5) are 18-8-2 at home.
Kalamazoo has struggled lately, losing four of its last five games in regulation (1-4-0). The Tomahawks have gone 2-2-1 in their last five. Johnstown’s Mitch Kontny leads his team in points against the K-Wings with seven (5-2-7), and Jordan Watt and Casey Nelson have six points each.
2013-2014 Season Tickets are available now by calling (814-536-4625) or visiting the Tomahawks office. More information is available online at JohnstownTomahawks.com.