ODENTON, MD. — The Johnstown Tomahawks (0-2-1) were defeated 3-2 in overtime by the Maryland Black Bears (4-0-0) on Saturday, September 19th at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. Ethan Coots and Jack Peterka were the goal scorers for the Tomahawks, both scoring their first of the season. Luc Beauparlant was outstanding between the pipes for Johnstown despite the OTL, making 33 saves. Ajay Rai scored two goals for Maryland, including the overtime winner. Michael Iliff was sensational as well in net for the Black Bears, turning aside 34 of the 36 Tomahawks shots in the win.
After a first period Maryland onslaught last night, both teams seemed to ease themselves into this one on Saturday night. Given their situation and history against this Maryland team, the Tomahawks got off to a dream start in the first frame, taking control of the majority of play and getting out to a strong 9-3 shots advantage through the first 10 minutes. Maryland stuck to their routine, flipping goaltenders for the second game of a weekend, bringing Michael Iliff into the blue paint and he delivered in a big way. After taking the first penalty of the game, the Hawks’ were sent to three straight power plays in the last three and a half minutes of the first period. Iliff was sensational on the penalty kill, turning aside several quality chances from Johnstown sticks. The scoreless, yet exciting first period came to a close with Johnstown edging Maryland 12-9 in the shots on goal tally.
The Maryland penalty woes continued almost immediately to begin the 2nd period as Zhenya Miles was sent off just under three minutes in for tripping, which sent the Hawks’ to their fourth power play of the game. The Black Bears got another strong kill from their unit and kept the game scoreless. After trading chances over the next several minutes, another chance for the Hawks’ power play came about and although they failed to convert, they certainly began to figure out some of their setup and good looks. Those positives ultimately led to the Tomahawks finally breaking through this Maryland backend as forward Ethan Coots was able to finish a puck that was laying on the goal line behind Iliff to give his team the much needed first goal of the contest with over half the period remaining. As was the case yesterday and for nearly every meeting between these two East Division rivals, the style of the game took on a life of its own in the physicality department. The remaining ten minutes of the 2nd period was a total free for all, containing over 130 penalty minutes combined from both teams, including two separate fights providing one of the most exciting games we’ll see all season. The Coots goal was the lone tally of the period giving the Hawks’ the lead heading to the second break. Shots remained slightly in Johsntown’s favor at 18-17.
To start the third, there was almost an unspoken feeling that the team who lost just ten games last season was not going to be shutout on their own home ice. But again, the lack of discipline from the Maryland side gave a desperate Tomahawks team two more chances to put the game away to begin the third period, taking penalties just 25 seconds apart giving Johnstown their third 5-on-3 advantage of the game. Unfortunately the opportunity went by the wayside once again, as the Black Bears killed both penalties off, keeping the door wide open to get back into the game. However, the Tomahawks kept up their offensive pressure and were able to double the lead with just seven minutes to play as Jack Peterka scored his first goal of the season and first as a Tomahawk. The hardest thing to do in any sport is hold onto a minimal lead, especially one against the defending champion Black Bears. Following a timeout, Maryland cut the deficit to just one under a minute after the Peterka goal to make it a 2-1 game with still six minutes on the clock. The goal sparked the home crowd and really swung the momentum in Maryland’s favor. In a game with so many factors like outstanding goaltending, high energy and dogged physicality, the story of this one will come down to special teams and scoring at key moments. With just over two minutes to play, the Hawks’ took a costly penalty giving Maryland a chance to gain a man advantage at 5-on-4 in the midst of killing off a five-minute major for boarding moments prior. Vincent Glos came through just seven seconds into Maryland’s seventh power play of the night to tie the game at two, leaving Johnstown stunned. The Black Bears also had some leftover power play time in the dying moments of regulation but Luc Beauparlant and the penalty killers came through as they did on many occasions throughout the night. An early game of the year candidate fully lived up to its calling as this one headed for overtime. Both goaltenders were outstanding all night and it continued in the early moments of OT, as Beauparlant and Iliff traded ten-bell stops. Ultimately, the Maryland comeback was completed in dramatic fashion as Ajay Rai buried his second of the game to give his team the 3-2 victory and a 4-0-0 start to their title defense. The Tomahawks earned their first point of the season but will fall to 0-2-1 to begin the 2026-27 season. Final shots on goal for the contest were inf favor of Johnstown at 34-33.
We’ll be back with you sooner than later as the 2026 NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN will kick off mid-week from the Super Rink. The Tomahawks will face off against the 2025 runner-up Minnesota Wilderness on Wednesday at 12:00PM ET. Catch all of the action on NATV!
BY: DREW PFEIL