JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks used a first period hat trick from Luke Lynch to trounce the visiting Aston Rebels at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena Saturday night.
The Tomahawks broke a scoreless tie early and sent hundreds of stuffed animals to the ice in the first period when Luke Lynch tallied his first of three goals in the period.
Lynch struck again, this time on the power play, for his twelfth goal on the campaign. Casey Linkenheld and Ryan Burr assisted on the goal
The Pittsburgh native completed the hat trick later in the first when his wrist shot squeaked past Rebels goaltender Trevor Micucci making the score 3-0 Johnstown. The goal chased Miccucci out from the cage in favor of backup Darion Hanson.
Lynch’s hat trick is the second Tomahawk hat trick this season. Forward Filips Buncis recorded a three-goal game on Oct. 16 against the New Jersey Titans.
Johnstown added to its lead 41 seconds into the second period. Tommy Horn corralled the puck on the left circle and sent a shot over the glove of Hanson to increase the Johnstown lead to 4-0.
The goal scoring parade continued for the Tomahawks when Burr slapped a puck past Hanson’s pad for his second goal for the year. Niko Coffman tallied the only assist.
Dante Suffredini scored the sixth Johnstown goal with second remaining in the middle frame. Linkenheld and Andrew Romano helped on Suffredini’s second of the season.
The Tomahawks resumed their goal-scoring ways with a Linkenheld goal two minutes into the first period. Linkenheld’s ninth of the season was assisted by Lynch and Romano.
Aston’s Chris Deprez managed to get the Rebels on the scoreboard at the midway point of the period making the score 7-1.
Dom Garcia added another Rebels goal with less than five minutes to play in the contest.
Anthony Parrucci netted the eighth and final goal for Johnstown with one second remaining in the game. The goal came unassisted.
Lindgren saved 24 shots for his first win as a Tomahawks. His record now improves to 1-2-1 for Johnstown.
The Tomahawks cap an 11-game homestand with a three game series with the East Division leading New Jersey Titans Dec. 4, 5 and 6. NHL legend and NBC analyst Jeremy Roenick will be in Johnstown on Dec. 5 to drop the ceremonial puck and sign autographs. For more information, go to JohnstownTomahawks.com or call 814-526-GOAL.