Planet Ice Gameday Preview: November 8, 2013

Nov 7, 2013

Game Preview

Springfield Jr. Blues at Johnstown Tomahawks

Friday November 8th         7:30 p.m.

Cambria County War Memorial Arena

The Tomahawks welcome the Springfield Jr. Blues back to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena this weekend after sweeping them in their first visit on October 5 and 6. In the first game, Omar Mullan scored twice for the Tomahawks in a 3-2 victory. After Springfield’s Alex Baskakov scored at 6:22 of the first period, Collin Finkhouse responded just over a minute later to tie the game. Mullan scored a pair of second period goals at 3:38 and 7:09 to give the Tomahawks a 3-1 advantage. Springfield’s Max Kalter cut the deficit to one with 2:14 remaining in the third period, but Alex Okicki and the Tomahawks defense stood strong to pick up the victory. Okicki stopped 20 of 22 shots in the win, while Sandro Aeschlimann allowed three goals on 20 shots in the loss.

In the second game of the weekend, the Tomahawks struck first as Mullan scored his third goal of the weekend at 6:19 of the second period. Springfield responded with goals from Patrick Curry and David Dekorte to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period. Tyler Basham scored later in the period to tie the game and send it into overtime. After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout, where the Tomahawks got goals from Jordan Watt and Mitch Hall. The Jr. Blues were only able to get one on the board in the shootout, and the Tomahawks earned the win and the weekend sweep 3-2. For the second straight game, Okicki earned the win stopping 20 of 22 shots in regulation and four of five in the shootout. Stefanos Lekkas took the loss stopping 35 of 37 in regulation and two of four in the shootout.

Omar Mullan is the only Tomahawks player with multiple points (4) against the Jr. Blues this season. Five other current players (Basham, Cuckovich, Hall, Recktenwald and Bednard) each have one point against Springfield. Patrick Curry leads the Jr. Blues with three points (1-2-3) against the Tomahawks.

The Tomahawks and Jr. Blues are currently tied for third place in the NAHL North Division. They are seven points behind first-place Port Huron and two points behind second place Michigan. They lead Soo by two points and Janesville by six points.

Following this weekend’s games, the Tomahawks welcome the Wenatchee Wild next Friday & Saturday.