Springfield, Ill. – The Johnstown Tomahawks came back from a 3-goal deficit, but the Springfield Jr. Blues scored a late goal to pick up the 5-4 victory on Friday night at the Nelson Center. The loss snaps a four-game winning streak against the Jr. Blues, and is their first loss against them since March 2, 2013.
The Jr. Blues got on the board first, as Trevor Stone scored a power-play goal at 16:22 of the first period. They made it 3-0 in a span of less than a minute, as Logan Wendling and Stone scored at 5:22 and 6:18 of the second period.
The Tomahawks then scored the next three goals to tie the game later in the second period. Cody Bentzel scored the first goal, with his shot deflecting off of a Springfield defender and past goaltender Stefanos Lekkas at 10:47. The goal was also Bentzel’s first of the season. Brandon Reinholz scored to pull the Tomahawks within one at 13:48, before Tanner Barnes tied the game with his first goal as a Tomahawk at 14:56. Late in the period, Ross Olsson regained the lead for the Jr. Blues with a power-play goal at 15:02.
Dakoda Menslage tied the game at 7:40 as his shot made it past Lekkas. The officials discussed the call, before ultimately signaling a good goal. Michael Mylchreest scored the game-winner with 4:58 remaining in the third period, as his shot from just inside the blue line made it past Jake Moore.
Stefanos Lekkas earned the win, stopping 23 of 27 shots. Jake Moore, who relieved Alex Okicki after the third Jr. Blues goal, allowed two goals on 21 shots in the loss. Johnstown went 1-for-6 on the power play, while Springfield went 3-for-7.
The Tomahawks conclude their weekend series against Springfield tomorrow night at 8:05 p.m. They travel to Port Huron next Friday and Saturday, before returning home to take on the Michigan Warriors, Jan. 24 and 25. For more information, or to purchase tickets visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com, call 814-536-GOAL (4625), or stop by the Tomahawks office during regular business hours.