FAIRBANKS, AK –For the second straight game, the Johnstown Tomahawks overcame a deficit against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Unlike Friday night’s game, the Tomahawks picked up two points in a 4-3 shootout victory at the Big Dipper Ice Arena.
Fairbanks took a 2-0 lead in the first period, as Chandler Madry scored 22 seconds into the first period. The Ice Dogs extended the lead later in the period, as Johnny Mueller scored at 11:12.
Joe Delandro got the Tomahawks on the board 3:50 into the second period, as he deflected a shot from Collin Montgomery past Kevin Aldridge for his first goal of the season. Dalton Hunter also added an assist on the goal.
Alex Alger tied the game later in the period, taking the rebound from Brady Bender’s shot before putting the puck over the sprawling arm of Aldridge. Zac Robbins extended his scoring streak to five games with an assist on Alger’s fourth goal in the last four games.
Mueller regained the lead for the Ice Dogs 2:14 into the third period, scoring on a shot from the right face-off circle. Adam Wilcox added an assist on Mueller’s second goal of the game.
Alger tied the game at 5:24, as he was able to skate past the defenders to take a long pass from Zac Robbins. Alger finished off the goal with a shot under the arm of Aldridge. Tanner Barnes also added an assist on the goal, giving him points in five consecutive games (1 goal, 9 assists).
The game remained scoreless until the shootout, when Alger scored the game-winner on a shot that slid inside the right post.
Ryan Bednard earned his 15th win of the season, stopping 36 of 39 shots and all five shots he faced in the shootout. Aldridge took the loss, allowing three goals on 23 shots, while allowing one goal on five attempts in the shootout.
The Tomahawks return home to welcome the Springfield Jr. Blues to the War Memorial this Saturday and Sunday. Face-off is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 814-536-4625 or visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com.