The Aston Rebels defeated the Johnstown Tomahawks 4-3 in overtime Saturday night to take a 2-0 lead in the East Division Finals.
The Rebels scored the game’s first goal when Andrew Bellant, on a breakaway, beat Tomahawks netminder Andrew Lindgren. The goal was Bellant’s third in two games and fifth of the playoffs.
Johnstown tied the game at 1 five minutes later. Zak Galambos fired a wrist shot past Rebels goalie Darion Hanson to tie the game.
In the second period, the Tomahawks and Rebels exchanged great scoring chances but it would be Johnstown that broke through with an Anthony Parrucci goal in the waning moments of the second frame.
Parrucci’s goal was assisted by Latvian forward Filips Buncis.
Early in the third period, the Rebels tied the game after a Drew Blackmun goal. The goal was assisted by Mason Van Tuyl and Kristofers Bindulis.
The Tomahawks regained the lead later in the period when Parrucci potted his second of the game and third of the playoffs.
Aston would not go away and capitalized on a Tomahawks turnover. Ryan Cusin wristed a shot top corner on Lindgren to tie the game at 3-3.
In overtime, Eric Carreras knifed a puck behind Lindgren and the Rebels won the game in overtime 4-3.
The series shifts back to Johnstown with the Rebels up 2-0 in the series. Game three is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6. For more information, contact the Tomahawks office at 814-536-GOAL or visit the War Memorial Arena Box Office.