The Johnstown Tomahawks return home this weekend for an important two-game series against the Aston Rebels. The Tomahawks sit just two points behind Aston for first place in the East Division and two points behind the New Jersey Titans for second place.
The Tomahawks went 2-1-1 on their road trip, including wins over New Jersey and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. In the last ten games, the Tomahawks have gone 6-3-1.
The Rebels hit the road this weekend, after going 2-1 in a three-game homestand against the Knights. Aston outscored Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 20-8 in those games.
Aston holds a 5-3 advantage in the season series, but the Tomahawks have won the two meetings played in Johnstown. The Tomahawks took the first one 4-2 on Nov. 27, before scoring a team-record eight goals in an 8-2 victory the following night.
The Tomahawks also have the most recent win in the season series, defeating the Rebels 5-2 back on Jan. 15. Kelly O’Brien had a goal and two assists in the victory, while Alex Alger and Ryan Burr each had two assists. Andrew Lindgren earned the win, stopping 23 of 25 shots.
O’Brien leads the Tomahawks with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) against the Rebels, while Luke Lynch has five goals against them, including a hat trick in an 8-2 victory. Andrew Lindgren leads the team with two wins and a 2.35 GAA against Aston.
Kristofers Bindulis leads Aston with nine points (one goal, eight assists) against the Tomahawks, while Michael Merulla leads the way with four goals. Goaltender Darion Handson is 4-2-0 with a 3.73 GAA and a .831 save percentage against Johnstown.
Following this weekend’s games, the Tomahawks travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton next Friday and Saturday. They return home to take on Aston Feb. 26 and 27. Aston takes on New Jersey next weekend in a home-and-home series.