ATTLEBORO, Mass. – In a close Thursday night contest, the Johnstown Tomahawks used two goals from forward Josh Norman to defeat the Northeast Generals 4-3 at the New England Sports Village.
Northeast tallied the game’s first goal just 1:34 into the first frame when Colin Bilek finished a two-on-one opportunity for his 16th goal of the season. Mike Egan picked up the lone assist.
Johnstown battled back to tie the game two minutes later.
Norman tipped in a Dalton Hunter pass to tie the game at 1-1. The power-play goal was Norman’s fifth of the season.
In the second period, the Tomahawks gained control of the game at 1:39 when Evan Somoza used a solid individual effort to score on Generals goaltender David Fessenden. Somoza’s 13th of the season was assisted by Andrew Quetell and Andy Iehle.
Johnstown increased their lead at 11:04 of the second period when Hayden Rowan scored his 11th of the year. The assist was registered to Edward Hirka.
The Generals answered back late in the second period with a shorthanded goal from Hunter Canestra.
Northeast eventually tied the game up at 3-3 after Brian Chambers found a loose puck and deposited it behind Tomahawks goalie Drew Hotte at 9:11 of the third period. Justin Jallen and Tim Weinstein assisted on the marker.
However, the Tomahawks would take advantage of a late Generals penalty as Norman scored his second of the game and sixth of the season at 18:24 of the final frame. Nick Bruce and Dalton Hunter registered the helpers.
The assist extends Bruce’s point streak to six games.
The Tomahawks take on the Generals in game two of a tree-game series Friday night at 7 p.m.
Johnstown returns to the War Memorial Friday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. to start a two-game set with the Aston Rebels. April 7 is Pucks and Paws Night presented by the Cambria County Humane Society. Fans can bring their friendly dogs to the game for a $5 dog ticket. The Humane Society will also be accepting donations of dog food.
Saturday, April 8 is Fan Appreciation Night presented by UPMC Health Plan. Fans in attendance will receive a commemorative souvenir poster as well as receive prizes that include gift certificates to local restaurants and retailers, t-shirts, tickets to playoff games and more.