Hat Tricks from Hunter and Bruce Carry Hawks

Apr 2, 2017

ATTLEBORO, Mass. –  Nick Bruce and Dalton Hunter each netted a hat trick in an 8-3 Johnstown Tomahawks victory over the Northeast Generals Saturday night at the New England Sports Village.

Johnstown scored the first goal of the game when Evan Somoza scored his third goal in three games with less than a minute to play in the first period. Bruce and Daniil Bokun assisted on the goal.

In the second period, the Generals tied the game when Anthony Mangano tipped a point shot from Joseph Nagle. Hunter Canestra picked up the secondary assist.

The Tomahawks regained control 2-1 after Hunter scored at 8:34 of the second period. Bruce and Andy Iehle assisted on Hunter’s 28th of the season.

The Generals tied the game back at 2-2 less than a minute later after Mike Egan scored his 8th of the season past Drew Hotte.

Bruce scored his first goal of the game six minute later to give the Tomahawks a 3-2 lead. Adam Pilewicz and Riley Doyon assisted on Bruce’s 24th of the season.

After Generals defenseman Kyle Martin picked up major penalties, the Tomahawks went to work on the man advantage late in the period.

Hunter fired home his second goal of the game on the power play at 16:33 of the second period to put the Tomahawks up 5-2 as the period came to a close. Donovan Ott and Andrew Quetell picked up the assists.

Johnstown picked up right where they left off in the third period as Bruce snapped a shot past Generals goaltender David Fessenden on the extended power play just 27 seconds into the frame. His 25th of the season was assisted by Josh Norman and Hunter.

The first hat trick of the night was scored by Hunter (his second overall on the season) at 6:33 of the third period to move the score to 7-2. Ott and Quetell assisted on Hunter’s 30th goal of the campaign.

Generals forward Kohei Sato scored a power play goal to cut the score to 7-3 at 11:31 of the third period.

Johnstown closed the scoring with Bruce’s third of the game with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. The goal set the final at 8-3.

With the hat trick tonight, Hunter becomes the second 30-goal scorer in Tomahawks history, a feat Donovan Ott set on March 25.

Johnstown returns to the War Memorial Friday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. to start a two-game set with the Aston Rebels. April 7 is Pucks and Paws Night presented by the Cambria County Humane Society. Fans can bring their friendly dogs to the game for a $5 dog ticket. The Humane Society will also be accepting donations of dog food.

Saturday, April 8 is Fan Appreciation Night presented by UPMC Health Plan. Fans in attendance will receive a commemorative souvenir poster as well as receive prizes that include gift certificates to local restaurants and retailers, t-shirts, tickets to playoff games and more.