ODENTON, M.D. – Oliver Benwell scored a hat trick and Colin Price tallied two goals in the Johnstown Tomahawks’ 5-3 win over the Maryland Black Bears Friday night in the team’s 40th win of the season.
Scoring Breakdown:
1st Period Recap
The Tomahawks broke through the scoreless tie midway through the period as Oliver Benwell tapped in a Hunter Toale point shot past Black Bears netminder David Tomeo. The goal was his 22nd of the season.
Twenty-two seconds later, Colin Price finished a two-on-one with Bennett Stockdale for a 2-0 Hawks lead and his ninth of the season.
Less than 40 seconds after the goal, Benwell fired a laser past Tomeo’s glove hand for his second of the game and 23rd of the season. His goal was assisted by Alex Wilkins and Roman Kraemer.
The offensive continued but this time it was Maryland who chipped in a goal; this one from defenseman Lukas Ljungblom.
The Tomahawks skated into the first intermission up 3-1.
Shots on Goal After the First Period: Johnstown (9) | Maryland (11)
2nd Period Recap
The Black Bears cut the Tomahawks lead to 3-2 when Max Borst scored a breakaway goal shorthanded at the 9:06 mark of the second period.
However, the Tomahawks regained the two-goal lead after Price converted his second goal of the game at 15:40 of the second period.
The Black Bears battled back to subtract from the Tomahawks deficit with a Luc Salem goal.
The Tomahawks went on the penalty kill to end the second period as Toale was assessed a five-minute major for head contact and Mitch Hale picked up a tripping call.
Shots on Goal After the Second Period: Johnstown (11) | Maryland (11)
3rd Period Recap:
Maryland pressed all period long but Cooper Lukenda maintained the one-goal Tomahawks lead heading into the final minute of play.
Benwell put the game away with his hat trick goal at the 19:19 mark of the third period.
Final Shots on Goal: Johnstown (29) | Maryland (33)
Johnstown returns to 1ST SUMMIT ARENA Wednesday, March 6 for a 7 p.m. faceoff with Jamestown.
The homestand continues on Friday, March 8 for Fight Night II presented by Valley Printing. Four-time ECW Heavyweight Champion, “The Franchise” Shane Douglas will drop the ceremonial first puck and sign autographs.
Saturday, March is the annual Guns & Hoses game in conjunction with Brett Keisel Night. The two-time Super Bowl Champion will be on hand to drop the ceremonial first puck and sign autographs for fans.