Planet Ice Gameday Preview: November 22, 2013

Nov 20, 2013

Johnstown Tomahawks vs. Port Huron Fighting Falcons

Friday November 22, 2013

7:30 p.m.

 

This Weekend's Promotions

          The Tomahawks are collecting non-perishable food items for St. Vincent dePaul prior to each game this weekend. Fans can bring items to the games, and those who donate will receive a Tomahawks player card for each item donated, up to four cards. A different set of cards will be available on Friday & Saturday. The team will also hold the annual teddy bear toss during Saturday's game. Fans can bring teddy bears and other soft toys to throw onto the ice when the Tomahawks score their first goal of the game. Fans can also donate toys by placing them in the bins in the concourse. All the toys donated will benefit local children

The Series

          The Tomahawks have played the Port Huron Fighting Falcons more than any other opponent in team history. They have not had much success against the Fighting Falcons, going 4-8-3 in 15 meetings. The two teams met in the playoffs last season, where the Fighting Falcons defeated the Tomahawks 2-1 in the best-of-three series.

          The Tomahawks won the most recent match-up 4-3 in overtime on November 3rd. After Port Huron jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period, Omar Mullan and Brandon Reinholz scored at 5:56 and 10:43 of the second period to tie the game, before Noah Batis scored at 12:04 to retake the lead for the Fighting Falcons.

          Shane Bednard tied the game at three, scoring at 6:14 of the third period. He would score his second goal of the game, the game winner on a breakaway 1:06 into overtime. Jake Moore earned his first Tomahawks win, stopping 15 of 18 shots.

The Tomahawks

          The Tomahawks enter this weekend’s games after splitting a weekend series with the Wenatchee Wild. On Friday night, the Tomahawks used six goals in the second and third periods in a 6-4 win.  The Tomahawks had six different goal scorers in the win, and Josh Bowes and Brandon Reinholz each had three points. Jake Moore earned his second win, stopping 36 of 40 shots.

          In the weekend finale, the Wild jumped out to a 4-0 lead, before Dakoda Menslage got the Tomahawks on the board at 4:44 of the third period. Wenatchee set the final score at 5-1 with a goal at 9:40. The Wild outshot the Tomahawks 42-12 in the game.

          The Tomahawks currently trail the Fighting Falcons by nine points and Michigan by three points in the NAHL North Division. They hold a four point lead over fourth-place Springfield.

The Fighting Falcons

          The Fighting Falcons return to Johnstown after sweeping a road series against the Janesville Jets. On Friday night, the Fighting Falcons jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Jonathan Kopacka and Mitch Maloney. Janesville cut the deficit to one in the third period, but Port Huron held on for the win.

          They picked up the weekend sweep with a 10-4 win on Saturday night. Matt Seidel had four goals and two assists, while Austin Romzek and Joey Lindenburg each added three points

 

Key Stats

 

· Five Tomahawks players (Reinholz, Bednard, Mullan. Bowes, and Meier) have scored five or more points in the last five games

 

· Port Huron goaltender Alex Blankenburg’s wins, goals against average, and save percentage are among the top five in the league.

 

· Port Huron has 21 power-play goals, tied with Wenatchee for second in the league.