Historic 2015-16 Season Ends Friday Night

May 6, 2016

JOHNSTOWN — The Johnstown Tomahawks fell to the Aston Rebels 9-2 Friday night, ending its 2015-16 NAHL season.

The Tomahawks scored the game’ first goal when Luke Lynch deposited a rebound past Rebels goalie Trevor Micucci early in the first period.

Aston tied the game seconds later when Ryan Cusin scored at 5:08 of the first period.

The Rebels added another goal at 6:50 when Austin Swingle was credited with the tally after a Tomahawks defensive miscue.

Dean Balsamo made it 3-1 Aston with his goal at 10:02 of the first stanza. Brennan Kapcheck and Frank Spellmen assisted on the goal.

Cusin capped off an efficient Aston period with his second goal of the game 53 seconds later. Michael Merulla and Dom Garcia were credited with the helpers.

In the second period, Kristofers Bindulis added a power play goal mid-way through. Kapcheck picked up his second assist of the contest.

Early in the third, the Tomahawks got back on the scoreboard with a power play goal from Casey Linkenheld to make it 5-2 Aston.

The Rebels answered with a Colton McMenamin goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third period. Swingle picked up the lone assist.

Chris Deprez added an empty net, short-handed tally after the Tomahawks pulled netminder Andrew Lindgren in favor of the extra attacker.

The Rebels scored another short-handed, empty net goal this time from the stick of Swingle. The goal was unassisted.

Cusin netted a hat trick to make the score 9-2 Aston with over three minutes to play in the third period.

In the loss, Lindgren stopped 20 of 27 Aston shots on goal. Micucci halted 30 Tomahawks shots in the victory.

The Tomahawks ended the 2015-16 season setting team records in wins and points. Johnstown finished third in the inaugural East Division with a record of 31-24-5.