The Johnstown Tomahawks will hit the road this weekend to take on the Maine Nordiques to complete the home and home series versus the second place Maine Nordiques in Auburn, Maine. The Tomahawks have become well-acquainted with the Nordiques this season as the two teams have already completed four out of the six games on the regular season schedule. The Nordiques are rolling through 27 games, sporting a 18-7-2 record and sit at 2nd place in the East Division. The Tomahawks are still in the thick of things towards the middle of the division with a 12-11-4 record and have been struggling to put the puck in the back of the net, doing so just twice over their last four games played.
A LOOK BACK AT LAST SEASON
Maine has been a part of the NAHL since 2019-2020. In their six full seasons played thus far, the Nordiques have only had two losing seasons, one in the inaugural season in 2019 and the second in 2021. Showing no signs of slowing down, the Nords have only gotten better after 2021, making the playoffs in three straight seasons while carrying an impressive 105-59-15 record. In 374 all-time games played, Maine holds a winning record of 198-144-32. The Tomahawks will move from one tough opponent in the Titans to another, as Maine will enter Friday night’s contest winners of three straight games. Just 5 points separate 6th from 9th place in the division, so as has been the case for the last two months or so, every point is crucial.
Last year the Tomahawks and Nordiques faced off six times, which is standard for most in-division matchups. The Tomahawks had a season series to forget, as Maine came out victorious five games to one. The first four games were played in Johnstown on Tomahawks ice while the last two were inside the Colisee in Maine. The two teams did both make the playoffs but did not face off. If the Tomahawks would have outlasted Rochester, they would have in-fact ended up facing the Nordiques in Round Two. Both teams seasons ultimately came to an end, at the hands of the Jr. Americans. It’s safe to say that Maine dominated the majority of the six games played last season outscoring the Tomahawks 16-8. out in relatively tight fashion with five of the eight finishing with wins by two goals or less. The biggest loss from either side came from a three-goal win for Maine in Johnstown. The Tomahawks did wrap the series on a positive note however, winning 2-1 on the road.
OCT 4TH – 5-3 L IN JOHNSTOWN
OCT 5TH – 2-1 L IN JOHNSTOWN
JAN 10TH – 1-0 L IN JOHNSTOWN
JAN 11TH – 4-1 L IN JOHNSTOWN
FEB 21ST – 3-1 L IN MAINE
FEB 22ND – 2-1 W IN MAINE
NORDIQUES WIN SEASON SERIES FIVE GAMES TO ONE
SEASON SERIES SO FAR
The four contests thus far between the two teams have produced some of the lowest event action we’ve seen this season. With just 16 total goals scored in the four games, the style of play has certainly favored the defensive loving fan. The first two in Maine both needed extra time, and one required a shootout. The Tomahawks found themselves down late on Friday, but battled back with two goals to tie it and force overtime, ultimately losing 5-4. Saturday night was a nail biter from opening puck drop, to final buzzer. The scoreless 65 minutes pushed us into a shootout and Charlie Zetterkvist scored early in the shootout and Zack Ferris shut the door to preserve his shutout and the win. The season series shifted to Johnstown just last weekend and on Friday, the Tomahawks finally broke through late during a low-scoring game on a Sean Leetch goal to force overtime, only to fall 2–1 on a Nordiques rush chance. Saturday followed a similar script: with an early Maine power-play marker, a tying goal from Hawks captain Nick Jarmain, and a tense 1–1 game heading into the third before the Nordiques flipped the game on its head and struck for three straight goals in just over two minutes to seal a 4–1 win. Despite strong goaltending from Zack Ferris and stretches of sustained pressure, the Hawks managed only two goals across the weekend. Pushing the season series to a 3-1 advantage for the Nordiques.
OCT 30TH – 4-3 OTL AT MAINE
OCT 31ST – 1-0 OTW AT MAINE
DEC 5TH – 2-1 OTL IN JOHNSTOWN
DEC 6TH – 4-1 L IN JOHNSTOWN
2025-2026 KEYS TO THE MATCHUP
- The Tomahawks have scored just two goals in their last 240+ minutes of hockey
- The Nordiques are riding a five-game win streak and will look to continue their winning ways versus a Johnstown team they seem to have a strong game plan for.
- The Tomahawks remain rather top heavy in terms of scoring with Nick Jarmain(31pts) and Emerson Marshall(30pts) continuing to lead the way, as the next highest scorer has 17 points.
- The Nordiques leading scorer, Joe Gasperko has 24 points through 27 games, showcasing their team’s ability to score with depth throughout the lineup, and rely on team defense and goaltending (67GA through 27 games, #2 in East)
Another huge weekend lies ahead for the Tomahawks and the need for goals has never been more evident. Don’t miss any of the action and tune in live on NATV – https://nahltv.com/
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! » https://www.ticketmaster.com/johnstown-tomahawks-tickets/artist/1760594
HOME FOUR THE HOLIDAYS PACKAGE OFFER
https://www.gofevo.com/group/Home4Holidays
The Johnstown Tomahawks are introducing our holiday deal, Home “Four” the Holidays! For 75 dollars (plus applicable fees), you’ll receive the following:-4 end zone tickets to your choice of these four games: December 5, 6, 19 or 20-4 food vouchers, good for 2 hot dogs, chicken tenders, or cheeseburger plus popcorn and soft drink-1 entry into our VIP Experience raffle, with one winner chosen on New Year’s Eve!A $100 dollar value for only $75!The VIP Experience Raffle includes:-4 Glass Seats to our January 24th game against Rochester-Lunch with Tomahawk Coaches (location and time TBD)-A tour of 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial-Watch warmups from the Tomahawks bench-Listen to Coach Houli give his pregame speech in the locker room-Stand in the player tunnel during team introductions-Recognition as raffle winners on the video board during the January 24th gameTickets for your game, as well as food vouchers, are physical tickets and will be available at will call on the night of your event. One (1) entry per purchased package. 100 packages available. VIP Experience will be held January 24th prior to the game against Rochester, 7:00pm. PACKAGE SALES FOR EACH GAME END 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
BY: DREW P. PFEIL