JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks edged the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in an exciting 3-2 shootout win Friday night at the Cambria County War Memorial.
The first goal of the game was scored by Filips Buncis at 8:01 of the first period. Donovan Ott and Edward Hirka picked up the assists on the opening goal. The Tomahawks second goal came with just 30 seconds left in the first period and was assisted by Hayden Rowan.
The Knights had a tough time getting shots on net recording only five shots in each of the first two periods only scoring once in the second. The goal was scored (unassisted) by Knights defenseman Keenan Sabatini. The Knights tied up the game 2-2 at 7:13 in the third period, Dorian Dawson was the one who slipped the puck by Johnstown goaltender and first star of the match Vinnie Purpura.
In overtime, Purpura made save after save, including one incredible diving save where he stacked the pads to reject a rebounded shot. The overtime period was the only period in which the Knights had more shots than the Tomahawks.
In the best of three shootout, the Tomahawks defenseman Adam Pilewicz buried the first shot on the Kinghts goaltender, Grant Valentine. Tomahawks goalie, Purpura, saved all three shots in the shootout leading the team to their victory.
Tomorrow’s matchup between the Tomahawks and Knights at The Cambria County War Memorial should be an interesting one. The series between the two teams is 3-2 with Johnstown having three wins on the Knights so far this season.