JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks (15-12-6) were defeated by the Northeast Generals (18-12-4) by a final score of 4-3 in the shootout on New Years Eve in Johnstown on Wednesday, December 31st. The Tomahawks once again scored early into the game and even added another but ultimately couldn’t hold on for 65+ minutes. Jack Genovese started the party for the Tomahawks then it was William Stewart giving them the 2-0 lead. Will Mizenko was solid all night for the Gens, turning aside both Hawks attempts in the shootout and made 26 saves on 29 shots. Zack Ferris was steady per usual for the Hawks as well, making 25 saves on 28 Gens’ shots.
The New Year’s Eve action got underway Wednesday night in front of a raucous crowd at 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, and the Tomahawks wasted no time setting the tone as fan favorite Jack Genovese opened the scoring just six minutes into the game to give Johnstown a 1–0 lead. Kalib Capecci continued his offensive production from the blue line by picking up the primary assist, while Kirby Perler was also credited with a helper on the opening goal. Much like the previous night, the Tomahawks scored first and appeared to be in control through the early stages. Their first power-play opportunity came with just under eight minutes remaining in the opening frame after Northeast was whistled for roughing, and this time the unit delivered. William Stewart buried his eighth goal of the season, finishing off a clean zone entry and passing sequence from Emerson Marshall and Nick Jarmain to make it 2–0. The momentum began to swing a bit with 4:47 left in the period when the physical play began to escalate. Thomas Klochkov (Northeast) and Drew Peterson (Johnstown) were each sent off for roughing, bringing the game to four-on-four hockey and igniting the crowd of more than 3,000 in attendance. The open ice certainly favored Northeast’s speed, and Vinny Ipri capitalized with 3:33 remaining to cut the deficit to 2–1. Johnstown had a chance to respond almost immediately, heading back to the power play just 40 seconds later, but the Northeast penalty kill and goaltender Will Mizenko stood tall to keep it a one-goal game. After 20 minutes, the Tomahawks held a slight edge in shots on goal, 10–9.
The second period saw both teams begin to settle in as the clock ticked off quickly through the opening 10 minutes. Chances were created at both ends, and both goaltenders were tested, particularly Tomahawks net-minder Zack Ferris, who was back between the pipes for Johnstown. Around the midway point of the period, tensions nearly boiled over. Each team was assessed a 10-minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct after what appeared to be an imminent fight—one that would have sent the 1st Summit Arena crowd into a frenzy. While the gloves stayed on, the moment still ramped up the intensity and set the tone for the remainder of the game. Discipline began to haunt the Tomahawks as the period progressed, an issue they’ve grappled with over the past couple of weeks. Alex Gomes was sent off for high sticking with 6:45 remaining, and Northeast needed just 40 seconds to capitalize on the power play, tying the game at 2–2. The goal noticeably silenced the building and swung momentum firmly in the Generals’ favor. Just 50 seconds later, Northeast went back to the man advantage, and as it appeared Johnstown was on the verge of killing it off, Finn Connor struck with just seven seconds remaining on the power play. The goal gave Northeast their first lead of the night at 3–2 and marked their second power-play tally of the period, effectively neutralizing the Tomahawks’ home-ice advantage, at least for the time being. After two periods, Northeast held both the lead and the edge in shots on goal, 20–16.
Following an electric rendition of Sweet Caroline at the War Memorial, Tomahawks fans gave their team a warm welcome back to the ice for the third and final period of 2025. The energy was high, but through the first 10-plus minutes of play, whistles were few and far between. Strong goaltending at both ends highlighted the frame as play continued uninterrupted for the most part. One of the only stoppages through the first portion of the period didn’t come until 6:55 remained on the clock, when Northeast’s Spencer Hirsch was sent off for tripping, sending the Tomahawks to the power play in a pivotal moment. Just 45 seconds into the man advantage, Nick Metelkin blasted a one-timer over the glove and under the ear of Generals goaltender Mizenko, erupting the building and tying the game at 3–3 while injecting much-needed life into the home crowd. Sixty minutes proved to not be enough on Wednesday night, and fittingly for New Year’s Eve, the game required overtime. Johnstown controlled much of the extra frame, dominating possession and generating multiple quality looks, but Mizenko stood tall (literally) at 6’5 once again for Northeast, turning aside several prime chances to keep the game knotted at 3-3.
And if 60 minutes wasn’t enough, neither was 65, as the game moved to a shootout. Northeast, shooting first as the road team, struck quickly to take a 1–0 advantage. Johnstown countered with Nick Metelkin, but he was denied by Mizenko. The Generals then converted again with their second shooter, slipping a shot over the pad and under the glove of Ferris to extend the lead to 2–0 in the best-of-three format. Needing a goal to stay alive, the Tomahawks sent out shootout specialist Charlie Zetterkvist, but his five-hole attempt was turned aside, sealing the result. Northeast held on for a 4–3 shootout victory on New Year’s Eve. Final shots on goal favored the Tomahawks by a narrow margin, 29–28.