Blaine, Minn. – In their third NAHL Showcase game, The Johnstown Tomahawks fell to the defending Robertson Cup runner-up Austin Bruins 8-2 on Friday Night in Blaine, Minn.
Jacob Kullberg got the Bruins on the board first, scoring at 7:06 of the first period. Nico Sturm was credited with the assist on the goal. Landen Letwin made it a 2-0 game about three minutes later, with Josh Wilkins providing the assist.
The Bruins picked up two more goals later in the first period, as Luke Dietsch scored at 12:20 and Nico Sturm scored at 13:43.
Trevor Recktenwald got Johnstown (1-3-0) on the board 33 seconds later, scoring while on the two-man advantage. Alex Jaeckle and Tanner Barnes each added assists on the goal. Barnes has registered a point in three of the four games this season.
Trevor Boyd and Deitsch opened the scoring in the third period to give the Bruins a 6-1 lead. J.C. Maclean extended the lead to 7-1 at 11:05.
Joe Drabin gave the Tomahawks their second goal of the game, scoring at 13:31. The goal was Drabin’s first of the season.
William Feeney closed out the scoring just seconds later, giving Austin (3-0-0) the 8-2 lead.
The end of the game became physical, starting with Brady Jones and Zach Zech fighting with 1:36 remaining in regulation. Both were given fighting majors and Zech was assessed an instigator penalty. With just 16 seconds remaining, Strum and Drabin were both given 10 minute misconduct penalties for arguing with the officials. The teams finished the game with a combined 111 penalty minutes on 23 offenses.
Zach Driscoll earned the win, stopping 15 of 17 shots. Brett Young started the game for the Tomahawks, stopping six of nine shots. Jake Gwillim replaced Young with 7:40 remaining in the first period. Gwillim stopped 21 of 26 shots in his second appearance of the season.
The Tomahawks close out their 2014 NAHL Showcase schedule against the Odessa Jackalopes Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. EST.