After yesterday’s loss to the Aberdeen Wings, the Tomahawks went with their newest netminder, Karsten Bourgoine (Fairfield, MN) in between the pipes Thursday afternoon against the Brown Bears. Kenai River’s Hunter Allen broke the ice scoring the first goal 9:34 into the game, getting the deflection off Cole Dubiki’s initial shot. The goal was scored on the power play with Johnstown’s Will Elger (Westerville, OH) in the box for high-sticking. About five minutes later, the Tomahawks got a power play opportunity of their own as Kenai River’s Sean Henry was called for holding. With 36 seconds to go in the penalty, veteran defenseman Dusty Geregach (McKees Rocks, PA) tied up the game with his first goal of the season coming from Jacob Badal (Flushing, MI) and Jake Black (Pomfret, CT). Geregach’s goal gave the Tomahawks the lift they needed, going into the 1st intermission tied at 1.
The Tomahawks had an early power play to work with in the beginning of the 2nd period as Luke Panchisin was called for cross checking. After Kenai River killed off the penalty, they were rewarded with a power play of their own 9:26 into the period when Braedon Ford was called for high-sticking. Just as the penalty expired, Brown Bears forward David Vieten scored giving his team the lead, along with their second power play goal of the game. With 2:46 to go in the middle period, Kenai River’s Tristan Thibuealt was called for tripping, giving the Tomahawks another chance to tie it back up on the power play. The Brown Bears killed off the penalty and headed to the locker room with their 2-1 lead still intact.
Hungry for the game-tying goal, the Tomahawks had ample opportunity with three power plays in the 3rd period, in which all of them ended in success for the Brown Bears. Despite only scoring one goal in the 1st period, the Tomahawks did not lack offensive effort, with a total of 32 shots on goal. Despite their efforts, the Tomahawks would not get the results they wanted and Kenai River won the game by a score of 2-1.
The Tomahawks face off against the Minnesota Wilderness tomorrow, Friday September 16, at 12:45 PM in their third of four games at the NAHL Showcase. The game will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV
BOX SCORE:
1st period:
(9:34) KENAI RIVER – Gramm McCormack (1) from Cole Dubicki (1) and Brendan Hill (1) POWER PLAY
(15:44) JOHNSTOWN – Dusty Geregach (1) from Jacob Badal (1) and Jake Black (1) POWER PLAY
2nd period:
(11:36) KENAI RIVER – David Vieten (1) from Brendan Hill (2) and Cole Dubicki (2) POWER PLAY
3rd period:
No scoring.