After 49 games, we’ve arrived at the most-important weekend series of the season to date. Although 10 games still remain on the schedule, the Hawks’ find themselves in quite the scenario heading into the first weekend of March. Danbury will travel to Johnstown occupying the final playoff spot in the East Division, sitting six-points ahead of Johnstown. The Tomahawks have one game in hand on the Hat Tricks so if they are able to get the job done this weekend and at least produce another three-point weekend, it should be considered a success and should set them up for a chance to squeak into the dance over the last month of the season. However, the Philadelphia Rebels sit right on the Tomahawks heels four-points back and they also have a game in-hand. Yes, the stakes are certainly large. The Tomahawks can’t come into the weekend thinking too much about who’s behind them or if they’ll be able to catch Danbury. It starts with a one-game at a time mentality and they should have a ton of juice all weekend in 1st Summit Arena from a raucous crowd. Friday evening, 2026 Milano Cortina U.S Olympian Dan Barefoot will be in attendance and will drop the ceremonial first puck as we honor his outstanding accomplishments a few weeks back across the pond. Saturday night we’ll pay homage to some of Johnstown’s finest “Hockey Heritage” to celebrate the Johnstown Chiefs, so the building should be VERY lively and you won’t want to miss a second of the action! Get your tickets HERE !
A LOOK BACK AT LAST SEASON
Last season the East Division foes squared off six times and the Tomahawks comfortably captured the season series, winning four of the six games (4-2). The first two games of the six season matchups with the Hat Tricks didn’t take place until the 13th and 14th of December in Johnstown and then hosted Danbury again at home the following weekend. It wasn’t until mid-march March for the conclusion of the series in Danbury. This time around, Danbury will make their only trip to Johnstown of the regular season after two series’ in Danbury earlier this season.
DEC 13 | 4-1 LOSS IN JOHNSTOWN
DEC 14 | 7-3 WIN IN JOHNSTOWN
DEC 20 | 3-1 WIN IN JOHNSTOWN
DEC 21 | 6-1 LOSS IN JOHNSTOWN
MAR 14 | 4-2 WIN AT DANBURY
MAR 15 | 2-0 WIN AT DANBURY
2025-2026 SEASON SERIES SO FAR
SEP 12 | 4-1 WIN AT DANBURY (1-0 JTN)
SEP 13 | 5-2 LOSS AT DANBURY (1-1)
JAN 8TH | 3-2 LOSS AT DANBURY (1-2 DAN)
JAN 9TH – 6-5 OTW AT DANBURY (2-2)
MAR 6TH – TBD IN JOHNSTOWN
MAR 7TH – TBD IN JOHNSTOWN
2025-2026 KEYS TO THE MATCHUP
- Tomahawks come into action after an emotional but extremely successful weekend against the 2nd place Rochester Jr. Americans
- The Hat Tricks are playing some of their best hockey of the season and have gone 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games
- Two of four matchups have been decided by just one-goal (1OT)
- In all four matchups so far this season, each game has featured at least five goals total, setting up a likely shootout style weekend
- Hawks’ have yet to host the Hat Tricks, will look to use home-ice energy to their advantage and gain four points of ground in standings
- Johnstown remains led by Captain Nick Jarmain who was recently named not only the NAHL’s East Division Player of the Week, but the BAUER NAHL Forward of the Month after going on a tear during the month of February
- Points in 7/8 GP
- 15PTS (8G, 7A)
- Currently riding six-game goal scoring streak (four in last two games)
- The Hat Tricks are led by forward Kai Elkie who has recorded just under a point/game this season with 49 through 50 games (15G, 34A)
- Danbury has just three players who have reached the 30-point plateau (Elkie, Shpungin Terranova)
- The Tomahawks have just four players that have scored 30+ points.
GOALIE MATCHUP
JTN
- Ferris: 9-15-5-2- | 3.22GAA | .898 SV%
- Oleksiienko: 8-4-0-0 | 3.10GAA | .914 SV%
DAN
- Dukaric: 19-11-2-1 | 2.74GAA | .914 SV%
- Brassil: 4-3-1-1 | 2.80GAA | .897 SV%
BY: DREW P. PFEIL