The Johnstown Tomahawks split their two-game series against the Northeast Generals with a 6-2 win on Friday afternoon. Three of the Tomahawks six goals came in the 3rd period, propelling the visitors to the win.
Caden Lewandowski (Mars, PA) opened the scoring 3:42 into the period, netting his first goal as a Tomahawk. Not long after, captain Alex Gritz (Cranberry Township, PA) found the back of the net to give the Tomahawks a 2-0 lead. That lead would carry over into what proved to be an eventful 2nd period.
The period started with a few penalties, two of those being matching roughing minors to Johnstown’s Ethan Webb (Lexington, SC) and Northeast’s Kyle Schroeder. After that, the Generals took over, scoring two goals in two and a half minutes to tie the game at 2. Tomahawks forward Max Neill (Portage La Prairie, MB) had other plans, breaking the tie to score his third goal of the season at the 17:05 mark of the 2nd. Newcomer David Paluch (Burlington, ONT) was called for high-sticking in the final minute of the period, giving Northeast a man advantage to start the third.
Johnstown killed off the penalty and would eventually roll through the 3rd quietly until Jared Gerger (Jeanette, PA) scored two goals in 3:10 to give the Hawks a 5-2 lead over the Generals. Things started to heat up between the two teams as Ricky Boysen and Dustin Geregach (McKees Rocks, PA) were both sent to the box with roughing penalties with less than five minutes to go in the game. John Gelatt (Middletown, NJ) took advantage of the open ice and managed to sneak one last goal behind Generals goaltender Joey Stanizzi.
The puck (and some gloves) were dropped with one second left in the period. As a result of the postgame scuffle, Northeast’s Carson Asper received a ten-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the final whistle.
Tomahawks rookie goalie Sam Evola (Rochester, MI) was strong in net with a 36 save performance to help secure the win for the Hawks in his fourth game of the season.
The Tomahawks return to Johnstown for two home games at 1ST SUMMIT ARENA on Friday, October 30 (7:30pm) and a Halloween showdown on Saturday, October 31 against the New Jersey Titans. Puck drop for Saturday is set for 7:00pm. Limited seating is available. Tickets can be purchased by calling 814-536-4625.