Credit: Phil Andraychak/Johnstown Tomahawks
Tyler Basham and Jordan Watt scored shootout goals, as the Tomahawks picked up the 3-2 win over the Michigan Warriors on Monday night at the Cambria County War Memorial.
The Tomahawks struck first, as Tyler Basham scored a power-play goal on a shot that made it past the glove side of Trevor Gorsuch at 17:37 of the first period.
Matthew Meier extended the Tomahawks lead, taking a Shane Bednard pass and firing it past Gorsuch at 10:38 of the third period. The goal was Meier’s first since Nov. 22 against Port Huron.
It appeared the Tomahawks would finish off the shutout win, but Michigan’s Tyler Groat and Jon Farkas scored extra-attacker goals in the final minute of regulation, sending the game into overtime and the eventual shootout. The Tomahawks won in the shootout, thanks to goals from Tyler Basham and Jordan Watt.
Jake Moore earned the win, stopping 37 of 39 shots and all four shots he faced in the shootout. Gorsuch took the loss, stopping 39 of 41 shots and two of the four shots in the shootout. Both teams scored on the power play, with the Tomahawks going 1-for-5 and the Warriors going 1-for-6. The win gives the Tomahawks a two-point advantage over Michgan while pulling them within four points of first place Port Huron.
The Tomahawks and Warriors conclude their two-game series tomorrow night at 6 p.m. The Tomahawks invite you to start your New Year’s Eve celebrations here at the War Memorial, with activities including a whiteout t-shirt giveaway to the first 1,500 fans, a noisemaker giveaway for kids (while supplies last), and a post-game meet & greet on the ice with the Tomahawks players and coaches. Tickets for tomorrow night’s game are still available, and can be purchased at the War Memorial Box Office, by calling 1-800-745-3000, or by visiting www.johnstowntomahawks.com