The Johnstown Tomahawks complete the weekend sweep against the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks with a dramatic finish from forward Reed Stark Saturday night. There was a change of pace for the Tomahawks, as some names got on the scoreboard that we haven’t seen often this season and with both lineups looking a little bit different after Friday’s game.
The 1st period started off with a penalty to Danbury’s Alexi Van-Houtte Cachero for hooking. With only 13 seconds remaining on the penalty, Holt Oliphant converts for the Tomahawks, giving them an early lead to start the game off strong. About five minutes later, Danbury goes back to the box as Jake Hewitt gets whistled for roughing amid a scrap behind the Jr. Hat Tricks net. It didn’t take long for captain Alex Gritz to find the back of the net, scoring off the rebound from the initial shot coming from Will Margel. The Tomahawks would start the game going 2-for-2 on the power play. A few minutes later, Danbury gets a goal of their own as Jake Veri knocks the puck into the back of the net, getting the bounce off Tomahawks goaltender Peyton Grainer’s blocker. Then only 39 seconds later, Danbury’s Adam Shuchart would take a shot, hitting Johnstown’s David Paluch up high. Alex Krause would then get the puck and put it behind Grainer to tie things up at 2 with 11:53 to go in the opening frame. The remainder of the period would play out and both teams would head to the locker rooms tied at 2.
The 2nd period wouldn’t see any scoring, but a lot of great chances on both sides. Both Peyton Grainer and Joshua Seeley were sharp in net for the respective teams as they faced 20 shots in total during the period (JHT 11, DHT 9). After last night’s festivities, both teams seemed to keep their composure focusing on their game and steering away from the physicality from the game before.
The goaltenders carried their strong play into the 3rd period, starting things off with multiple good saves. 6:07 into the period, Jake Hewitt gets Danbury their first lead of the game, scoring off the pass from teammate Alex Krause. Not long after, Holt Oliphant would tie things back up with his second goal of the night and fifth of the season. The 3rd period would go on with a lot of good chances and exciting plays for both sides. Eventually Reed Stark would score off a turnover from Danbury to regain the lead for the Hawks with only 1:18 to go in regulation, getting his third goal of the season. Danbury would pull netminder Joshua Seeley and Alex Gritz would score on the empty net to get his second goal of the game also and secure the weekend sweep for the Tomahawks.
The Tomahawks will be back again next weekend for a three-game series against divisional rival Northeast Generals. The games are schedule for Friday, January 29 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, January 30 at 7 PM, and Sunday, January 31 at 1 PM. Get your tickets online at ticketmaster.com now and join us as the first month of 2021 comes to a close.