FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Johnstown Tomahawks earned a point despite dropping a 3-2 shootout decision to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs Saturday night at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks.
By earning one point in the loss, the Tomahawks earned three out of a possible four points against the defending Robertson Cup champions on the weekend.
The first period went scoreless as the Ice Dogs out-shot the Tomahawks 10-7.
Johnstown cracked the scoreless tie late in the second period with a goal from Nova Scotia native Nick Bruce at the 13:48 mark of the period. His third goal of the season was aided by Mitch Hale and Josh Norman.
In the third period, Fairbanks tied the game 40 seconds into the frame when Aaron McPheters finished a pass from Hampus Eriksson on the man advantage and beat Tomahawks goaltender Drew Hotte.
At 6:03 of the third, the Tomahawks scored a power play goal of their own when Samuel Solensky lifted a shot past Fairbanks netminder Joshua Sarlo. Joe Kile and Hayden Rowan registered the helpers on Solensky’s second of the year.
Fairbanks pressured the Tomahawks the rest of the period and tied the game with 19 seconds to play in the period.
After Dalton Hunter took a high-sticking penalty, Nolan Schaeffer slapped a shot from the point past Hotte to send the game to overtime.
Both Johnstown and Fairbanks had chances in the extra frame, but the overtime period was scoreless.
In the shootout, Fairbanks forward Cayden Cahill scored the lone goal to give the Ice Dogs the extra point and win the game 3-2.
Hotte was solid despite picking up the loss, stopping 25 of 27 Fairbanks shots on goal. Sarlo earned his first win as an IceDog in a 24-save performance.
The Tomahawks continue their Alaska road trip on Wednesday, October 5 when they visit the Kenai River Brown Bears for the beginning of a three-game series. Faceoff is set for 11 p.m. EST.