The Johnstown Tomahawks and Michigan Warriors battled in a high-scoring affair on Saturday night. In the end, the Warriors defeated the Tomahawks 9-4, earning the weekend sweep at Perani Arena.
TJ Stuntz opened scoring early in the first period, with a slap shot that found its way to the back to the net through traffic at 2:33. Seconds later, Johnstown (26-22-4) tied the contest on a Jordan Watt goal at 3:04. Watt’s 18th goal of the season was assisted by Brandon Reinholz and Zach Wallace.
Michigan (27-15-8) regained the lead, as Nick Mosher scored at 4:09. Johnstown capped off the first period scoring, as Trevor Recktenwald fired a wrist shot from the slot over Michigan goaltender Robbie Beydoun at 11:40. Shane Bednard and Matthew Meier each added assists on the goal.
Michigan took a 4-2 lead in the second period, thanks to goals from Tyler Groat and A.J. Marcinek at 7:04 and 7:46. Stuntz made it a three-goal game, capitalizing on a breakaway at 13:48. Meier pulled the Tomahawks back within two, taking a pass from Dakoda Menslage, before finding the back of the net at 15:47. The Warriors regained a three-goal lead, when Groat scored his second goal of the game off of a bouncing rebound in the crease with less than two minutes remaining in the second period.
The Tomahawks struck first in the third period, when Meier added his second goal of the game at 5:51. Michigan answered less than two minutes later, as Colin Larkin scored at 7:18. The Warriors picked up goals from Connor Lyons and Stuntz to set the final score at 9-4.
Beydoun stopped 26 of 30 shots in the win, while Brett Young stopped 31 of 40 shots in the loss. The Tomahawks scored the lone power-play goal of the game, while killing the lone Michigan power-play. The win gives the Warriors a four-point lead over the Tomahawks for second place in the North division.
The Tomahawks return to the War Memorial next Friday and Saturday to take on the Janesville Jets. For more information, visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com or call 814-536-GOAL (4625).