Benwell Scores Two in 5-1 Victory Over Knights

PITTSTON, Pa. – Oliver Benwell scored two goals and added an assist as the Johnstown Tomahawks defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 5-1 Thursday afternoon.

After Wilkes-Barre/Scranton received a slashing minor, the Tomahawks would be the first team to find the back of the net.

Forward Cameron Hebert sent a puck toward the net that was saved by Knights goalie Zach Stejskal, but the puck bounced to the tape of Benwell.

Benwell solved Stejskal after multiple shots on goal for a 1-0 Tomahawks lead. For Benwell, the goal was his seventh of the season. Hebert and Carson Brière picked up the assists.

Early in the second period, the Knights got on the board to tie the game at 1-1.

Knights defenseman Davis Pennington beat goaltender Carter McPhail with a shot from the left faceoff circle for his third of the season.

However, the Tomahawks would respond at the 13:07 mark of the second period.

Benwell finished a pass from Sam Solensky on the man advantage for his second of the game and eighth of the season. Hebert picked up the secondary assist.

The Tomahawks raced out of the gate in the third period.

At the 3:57 mark, Bennett Stockdale stick-handled his way past a Knights defender and backhanded a shot behind Stejskal for a 3-1 Tomahawks lead. Benwell and Austin Friesen assisted on the goal.

Ten seconds later, Mitch Hale scored his fifth of the season off an assist from Brière to increase the Tomahawks lead to 4-1.

Joey Kile added to the Tomahawks advantage with his fourth of the season at the 11:51 mark of the third period. Friesen and Solensky picked up the helpers.

The goal would chase Stejskal from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton net in favor of Samuel Vyletelka.

McPhail put in a 38-save performance in the win and moved his record to 7-1-0 on the season.

The Knights and Tomahawks are back in action tomorrow evening for a 7 p.m. faceoff at Revolution Ice Centre.

Johnstown is back on home ice on Friday, Nov. 9 for the start of Military Appreciation Weekend against the Maryland Black Bears. All active duty and veterans may receive a free ticket at the gate with presentation of a valid Military ID.