Tomahawks Inaugural Season Comes to a Close After
4-3 Overtime Playoff Loss to Port Huron
By Ed Sheets
Port Huron’s Brett D’Andrea tied the game with 35 seconds remaining in regulation and Ian Miller scored just 3:28 into overtime to lead the Fighting Falcons to a 4-3 win over the Johnstown Tomahawks on Sunday afternoon at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
The Fighting Falcons win the North Division Play-in series, 2-1, and advance to take on the Soo Eagles in the NAHL North Division Semifinals.
Max Milosek picked up the win, stopping 26 of 29 shots, while Chris Truehl took the loss, stopping 26 of 30 shots.
Johnstown got on the board less than five minutes into the game, as Brandon Reinholz poked a bouncing puck past the left skate of Milosek. Connor Wright added the assist, giving him four points (1-3-4) in eight career playoff games.
Early in the second period, Port Huron’s Mitch Maloney tied the game. The game remained tied until Cody Gylling fired a backhand shot from the right side of Milosek at 14:29.
The Tomahawks extended the lead in the third period when Mitch Kontny fired a top-shelf goal from just inside the left faceoff circle at 8:45.
Port Huron came within one on Rick DeRosa’s goal at 12:59 before D’Andrea sent the game to overtime, netting the equalizer from the right side of Truehl.
Port Huron advanced to the next round thanks to Miller’s wraparound goal that just snuck past the skate of Truehl.
The loss ends a successful 2012-13 campaign for the Tomahawks organization with a great showing from the fans. Over 75,000 fans filled the stands at the War Memorial during the 29 games on home ice this season along with the large number of fans who made the team feel at home on the road. The Tomahawks finished the regular season with the fifth best attendance in the entire league.
From Pucks and Paws Night to Pittsburgh Penguins Chris Kunitz and Matt Cooke cheering on the Hawks and Mario Lemieux dropping the ceremonial puck on opening night, the season has been full of great memories and moments both here at the War Memorial and on the road. The Tomahawks players, coaches, and staff thank all the fans and partners in the Johnstown community and the country for their fantastic support during this inaugural 2012-2013 season.
Season ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are now on sale. For more information or to purchase season tickets visit www.johnstowntomahawks.com, call 814-536-4625, or stop by the team office in the War Memorial Arena.