The Johnstown Tomahawks traveled this weekend to face off against the Maryland Black Bears. Friday night, the Tomahawks suffered their first regulation loss of the season losing 2-1 against the Black Bears.
The opening period did not see any scoring, but a total of seven penalties between the two sides, starting with Maryland’s Thomas Jarman taking an interference penalty only 13 seconds into the game. The rest of the period saw three penalties to the Tomahawks and three more also for Maryland. Neither side converted on the man advantage, or when Maryland saw 1:05 worth of 5-on-3 play.
The 2nd period would start at even strength, although the middle frame would see six more penalties, four to the Tomahawks. Forward Jay Ahearn made the most of all the penalties, opening the scoring over halfway through the game when he netted a power play goal from Jared Gerger on a lengthy five minute power play opportunity after Maryland’s Aden Bruich was assessed a boarding major. Five minutes later Reid Leibold evened the scoring again for Maryland, tying the game at 1. 5:31 into the 2nd period. Both sides were visibly frustrated throughout the game but seemed to settle down as the period ended.
Things slowed down for the 3rd period, as there were no penalties in the final 20 minutes. At the 10:17 mark, Hunter McCoy snuck one behind goaltender Sam Evola to give Maryland what would eventually be the game-winning goal in Friday night’s game.
The two teams face off again tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 PM as the Tomahawks look to even up the weekend series against the Black Bears. The game will be available for fans to watch on HockeyTV.