The Johnstown Tomahawks lost a hard-fought battle against the Maine Nordiques in Friday night’s home opener by a score of 3-2.
Reese Farrell broke the ice for the Nordiques scoring the first goal of the game late in the 1st period, followed by a goal from Jack Strauss in the last minute. Things were relatively calm and quiet in the opening frame but that quickly changed coming out for the 2nd period.
Penalties came in the 2nd period on both sides with multiple roughing penalties. Tensions began to rise on the ice with both sides getting involved. Johnstown’s Jay Ahearn (Staten Island, NY) got the Tomahawks on the board with their first goal of the game coming a little over hallway through the period. Ahearn’s was the only goal of the period, which left the Tomahawks down by one going into the 3rd period.
The Tomahawks fought hard in the 3rd having 15 shots on goal. Dominic Schimizzi (Greensburg, PA) scored 1:54 into the 3rd to tie the game up with plenty of time remaining in regulation, but the Hawks could not convert again to take the lead, forcing an overtime period.
After lots of back and forth heart-pounding action, neither side could end the game in the additional five minutes, which sent the game to a shootout. Maine’s Stefan Owens was the only successful shooter for either team in the shootout to give Maine the ‘W’.
Johnstown could not convert on the power play, going 0-8 on the man advantage Friday night. Shots on goal were 51-31 Johnstown, leaving fans entertained all night with a high-shooting game.
The Tomahawks and Nordiques face off again Saturday night at 7 PM at 1ST SUMMIT ARENA. Get tickets online at https://form.jotform.com/202865093868165 or at the doors Saturday prior to the game. Limited seating is available, so purchasing online prior to the game is recommended.