By Ed Sheets
Zach Wallace tied the game in the third period and provided the game-winning goal in the shootout, as the Johnstown Tomahawks defeated the Port Huron Fighting Falcons 3-2 on Saturday night at the Cambria County War Memorial. The win gives the Tomahawks sole possession of second place in the North Division and cuts the Port Huron lead in the division to six points.
The Fighting Falcons got on the board first as Mitch Maloney scored at 11:54. Jonathan Kopacka and Bryan Yim each added assists on the goal. Maloney extended the lead to 2-0 with his second goal of the night at 15:24 of the second period.
The Tomahawks got on the board as Forest Donovan scored his first goal of the season 44 seconds later, sending a wave of stuffed animals onto the ice. Tomahawks staff members & local Marines quickly cleared the ice, taking the toys that will be given to local children this holiday season.
Wallace tied the game early in the third period on a shot from the left side of Fighting Falcons goaltender Max Milosek. Both teams had opportunities throughout the third period and overtime, but both goaltenders stood strong, sending the game to a shootout.
In the shootout, Nick Horne scored the lone Port Huron goal, before Tyler Basham evened the scoring. In the fourth round, Wallace slid a puck past Milosek to take the shootout lead. As Noah Batis came towards the Johnstown net, trying to extend the game, Alex Okicki dove out of the crease to give the Tomahawks the victory and the weekend sweep.
Okicki earned his second straight win, stopping 31 of 33 shots. Milosek took the loss, allowing two goals on 24 shots. The Tomahawks are now 8-2-1 in one-goal games and 4-1 in the shootout.
The Tomahawks travel to take on the Wenatchee Wild next Saturday & Sunday, with game times set for 10 p.m. ET on Saturday night and 8 p.m. ET on Sunday. Tomahawks Stocking Stuffer Gift Packs are now available, and they include a team puck, mini stick, exclusive t-shirt, and two game vouchers all for $30. For more information call 814-536-4625 or visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com.