PITTSTON, Pa – A three-goal second period helped the Johnstown Tomahawks defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 4-2 Friday night at Revolution Ice Centre in the first game of the 2016-17 NAHL season.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored the first goal when Vincent Marino found the back of the cage, beating Tomahawks goaltender Britt League. His goal was assisted by Joe Campolieto.
The Knights increased their lead to 2-0 with a Jimmy Elser goal assisted by Michael Morrissey.
Johnstown found the scoreboard minutes later. Dalton Hunter fired a wrist shot from the far circle past Knights netminder Grant Valentine to set the game at 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
The Tomahawks tied the game with just over 10 minutes to play in the second period. Donovan Ott wristed a shot past Valentine with the assists credited to Filips Buncis and Zak Galambos.
Six minutes later, Alex Singley put the Tomahawks on top 3-2 with his tally. Adam Pilewicz helped on the goal.
With 51 second left in the middle frame, the Tomahawks added to their lead when defenseman Andrew Quetell feathered one past the glove of Valentine. Buncis picked up his second assist on the night.
Adrian Danchenko brought the Knights within one goal with a power-play goal.
The Tomahawks would clamp down defensively as League came up with plenty of spot-on saves including a short-handed penalty shot.
Johnstown withheld a Wilkes-Barre forecheck to hold on for a 4-3 victory.
League captured his first NAHL victory in a 25-save performance. Valentine picks up the loss, saving 25 out of 29 shots.
The Tomahawks are back at the Revolution Ice Centre Saturday, Sept. 10 for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff with the Knights.