MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Johnstown Tomahawks and New Jersey Titans game Saturday night turned into a battle early, with the teams combining for 82 penalty minutes in the first period. In the end, the New Jersey Titans came away with the 5-2 victory.
The physical play started early, as Michael Gellatt and Ryan Burr battled 3:53 into the first period. Both were issued fighting majors, while Gelatt received a checking from behind penalty and misconduct.
Johnstown opened up the scoring, as Cam Smith scored on a shot just in front of goaltender Josh Creelman 9:21 into the first period. Andrew Romano and Alex Alger each added assists on the goal.
The Titans answered just over a minute later, thanks to a goal by Garrett Hallford. Keegan Miller and Raymond Brice each added assists on the goal.
New Jersey took the lead in the second period, thanks to goals by Miller and Christopher Murphy. They made it 4-1 when Hallford picked up his second goal of the game 1:42 into the third period.
The Tomahawks responded less than a minute, as Anthony Parrucci scored his third goal of the weekend. Brendan Jaquay added the assist on the goal.
Michael Gelatt regained a three goal lead for the Titans, scoring a power-play goal at 8:06. Brice and Seyia Hayata each earned assists on the goal.
Creelman earned the win, stopping 19 of 21 shots. Camden Burggrabe suffered the loss in his Tomahawks debut, stopping 26 of 31 shots. The Tomahawks went 1-for-5 on the power play and 6-for-8 on the penalty kill.
The Tomahawks travel to Blaine, Minn. next week for the 2015 NAHL Showcase, where they will face Corpus Christi, Brookings, Coulee Region and Lone Star. To view the complete 2015-16 schedule, visitwww.johnstowntomahawks.com.