The Johnstown Tomahawks fell short against the Maryland Black Bears in the final of a three-game series Sunday afternoon by a final score of 4-2 on the road in Maryland.
Maryland got on the board early Sunday afternoon with a goal from Christian Catalano who scored in all three games this weekend for the Black Bears. Branden Piku scored his second goal of the weekend 5:01 into the opening of the game to give to give his team a 2-0 lead early. Just as his penalty expired, Anthony Galante came flying out of the box and made his way down to the net, solving netminder Jack Wieneke to put the Tomahawks on the board with his seventh goal of the season and fourth of the weekend against the Black Bears. The Tomahawks were given a power play opportunity of their own 11 seconds later, but were not able to find the equalizer, sending the game to the intermission with a 2-1 lead for Maryland.
Gabriel Westling extended the lead for the Black Bears with his sixth goal of the season 4:27 into the second period, followed shortly after by a shorthanded goal from Trey Scott, giving Maryland a 4-1 lead. Things heated up as the period went on with the teams showing frustrations towards each other, playing their fifth game against each other in ten days. With penalties going both ways throughout the period, neither side would add to their scoring again in the period, giving Maryland a 4-1 lead to work with going into the third period.
The Tomahawks showed life in the third period with James Barbour netting a power play goal midway through the third period. Despite their efforts, the Tomahawks weren’t able to work their way back into the game, falling by a final score of 4-2.
Johnstown will be out on the road again next weekend as they are set to face off against the Northeast Generals Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Both games will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV.