Hawks Win Thriller 6-4 Over Titans

Mar 25, 2017

JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks thrilled fans at the Cambria County War Memorial with a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Titans Friday night.

New Jersey fired home the game’s first goal in the first period when Kyle Perkowski capitalized on a Tomahawks turnover.

In the second period, the Titans gained a 2-0 lead after Jordan Kaplan tipped home a puck past Drew Hotte early in the second period. His goal was assisted by Ryan Wheeler and Dylan Healey.

From there, the Tomahawks started taking over the game.

Johnstown cracked a goose egg on their side of the scoreboard after Donovan Ott power play goal at 17:35 of the second period. Ott’s 28th of the season was assisted by Nick Bruce.

The Tomahawks tied the game one minute later when Joe Kile’s shot found a home behind Titans netminder Ryan Ferland.

With a 2-2 tie going into the second intermission, fans were in for a treat in the final period.

Johnstown came out firing and gained its first lead of the evening when Josh Norman finished a great set-up from Hayden Rowan to move the score to 3-2.

A little over one minute later, the Tomahawks made the score 4-2 when Andy Iehle’s wrist shot beat Ferland glove side. Iehle’s sixth of the season was assisted by Bruce.

The Titans weren’t out of the game as they rattled off two consecutive goals from Oskar Stromberg and Greg Malafronte to tie the game as the period ticked away.

However, Johnstown had more offense in them as Bruce netted his 22nd of the season at 18:11 of the third period to move the Hawks back in front 5-4.

Ott finished off the Titans with an empty-net goal for his 29th of the season and set the final at 6-4. The goal ties Ott with former Tomahawks forward Luke Lynch for the single-season goal record.

The Tomahawks and Titans finish their two-game series Saturday evening during the fifth annual Guns & Hoses night. Police and Firefighters will be competing a charity game at 4 p.m. prior to the Tomahawks game at 7 p.m. The game and proceeds benefit Special Olympics.