JOHNSTOWN, PA — The Johnstown Tomahawks (5-4-3) extended their win streak to three with a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Rebels (6-6-1) on Saturday, October 17th, earning their first weekend sweep of the season. Jack Peterka opened the scoring for the Tomahawks early in the first period and then goals from Conner Maione (2), Sam Esposito, and Brody Peterson (ENG). Matthew Wood made his way back between the pipes for the Tomahawks and earned his third win of the season, making 20 saves.
The Tomahawks returned to the 1st Summit Arena ice on Saturday looking to complete the weekend sweep of the Philadelphia Rebels after Friday night’s nail biting 3-2 overtime victory. It didn’t take long for the game to turn into an offensive shootout, as both teams traded goals throughout a busy opening frame. Jack Peterka scored the first goal of the game and his second of the season, just over a minute into the period with assists from Conner Maione and Kirby Perler. Philadelphia responded exceptionally just 20 seconds later with Justin Vlassis scoring to tie the game at 1-1. The Rebels then continued to press and found the game’s next two goals taking a 3-1 lead as Cam Wilson (PPG) and Dylan Moran found the back of the net. The Tomahawks and the home crowd were reeling a bit after the Rebels offensive outburst and needed a big moment to head into the break and they got a huge goal from Ethan Coots, cutting the deficit to just one after the first. The five-goal first period also featured 27 totals shots with Johnstown slightly ahead at 16-11.
The second period brought much of the same offensive action, with the Tomahawks quickly finding their way back into the game to begin the second period. Conner Maione tied things up at 3-3 just two minutes into the frame with a power-play goal assisted by Conor Griffin and Sam Esposito. Philadelphia then punched right back with a power-play goal of its own to regain the lead at 4-3, but the Hawks continued to push offensively and found another equalizer late in the period. Esposito buried his fourth goal of the season with 4:48 remaining, with Conor Griffin and Evan Kensey picking up the assists to even the score at 4-4. After 40 minutes of play, and a penalty filled second period which yielded 18 penalty minutes, the two teams had combined for eight goals, setting the stage for a thrilling third period. Shots through 40 minutes still favored Johnstown at 29-22.
The Tomahawks came out in the third looking to finally pull away and did just that with Maione striking again on the power play 6:33 into the period. Conor Griffin and Sam Esposito again collected the assists to give Johnstown its first lead since the opening minutes. After surviving the final 10 minutes or so, the Tomahawks then got a last-second insurance marker with an empty net goal from Brody Peterson to seal the deal at 6-4. Johnstown finished the night with a 34-24 advantage in shots on goal.
The Tomahawks will get a much deserved short week off, and will take the ice on Halloween weekend back at home in Johnstown as we host the New Jersey Titans for a two game set on Friday and Saturday. We can’t wait to see you then!
BY: DREW PFEIL