MAINE – The Johnstown Tomahawks (7-6-3) were defeated in a thrilling overtime contest by the Maine Nordiques (11-3-1) by a final score of 5-4. The Tomahawks were led by Charlie Zetterkvist who scored twice (1PPG, 1SHG). Josh Itri scored the game winning goal for the Nordiques on a breakaway in overtime.
On a brisk Halloween night at Norway Savings Bank Arena, the Johnstown Tomahawks found themselves battling in the thick of the East Division standings — a tight race with teams on both sides looking to either gain separation, or get closer to the Hawks’ heels. Despite recent struggles in the goal differential column, the opening frame promised an exciting, back-and-forth contest with two normally offensive squads. Johnstown earned an early opportunity just two minutes in when they went to the power play, but the Nordiques’ penalty kill stood tall to keep things scoreless. The pace remained fast with few whistles, as both teams traded chances and momentum throughout much of the period. With just under eight minutes to go, Maine broke the deadlock, slipping one past Tomahawks goaltender Zack Ferris to make it 1-0. Ferris, however, was sharp in net — turning aside several high-danger chances including multiple odd-man rushes to keep the game within reach. Johnstown settled back in nicely after the goal, controlling more of the play but unable to find the equalizer before the horn. Shots on goal after the first favored Maine, 7–5.
The quality of hockey carried right into the second period — maybe it wasn’t the most highlight-reel filled frame for the casual fan, but a strong display for anyone who appreciates the finer details: sharp goaltending, blocked shots, and smart, subtle plays on both ends of the ice. As the period progressed, momentum began to tilt in Johnstown’s favor. The middle frame featured a pair of matching penalties that resulted in two separate four-on-four situations, opening up the ice and allowing both teams to showcase their speed. Despite Maine holding the edge in the standings as the East Division’s second-place team, the Tomahawks proved they could keep pace — and even push it themselves. The physicality ramped up as the period went on, resembling the gritty style of play that’s become a staple for the Tomahawks in recent weeks. Johnstown outshot Maine 10–7 in the frame, narrowing the overall total to 15–14 in favor of the Nordiques, though Maine held onto their 1–0 lead heading into the final twenty minutes.
It’s not often that a game completely flips on its head after 40 minutes — but that unpredictability is exactly what makes hockey the greatest sport in the world. Just under five minutes into the third, the Tomahawks were dealt a tough blow, heading to the penalty kill while trailing 1–0. But in a seemingly deja vu moment from the first 15 games of the season, Captain Nick Jarmain gave sparked some life into his team as he generated a short-handed play with fellow forward Charlie Zetterkvist. As he entered the Maine zone, Zetterkvist took the Jarmain feed while being spun to the ice and roofed a backhander you can expect to see on the NAHL Plays of the Week montage. The highlight-reel goal erupted the Tomahawks’ bench and tied the game, swinging momentum completely in Johnstown’s favor. Still buzzing, the Tomahawks killed off the remainder of the penalty and struck again shortly after. A strong forecheck led to a cycle up to the blue line where Caleb Capecci showed off some offensive flair — toe-dragging around a defender and firing a laser into the top-left corner to give Johnstown its first lead of the night, 2–1. Evan Kensey and Alex Gomes picked up the assists on the play. However, that lead was short-lived. Just 25 seconds later, the Nordiques answered right back to even things up at 2–2, showing exactly why they’re one of the East Division’s top teams. Both sides traded chances as the clock ticked toward the midway point, but with eight minutes to play, Maine retook the lead on a fluky deflection that bounced off multiple players before finding the back of the net — a deflating turn for a Tomahawks group that had battled so hard to climb back. Maine extended their advantage to two with 2:20 remaining, but a late high-sticking penalty gave Johnstown a glimmer of hope. With just one second left on the ensuing power play, Zetterkvist struck again — his second of the night — cutting the deficit to one and setting us up for a thrilling finish. The final minute was pure chaos and excitement. With goaltender Zack Ferris pulled for the extra attacker, the Tomahawks swarmed the crease, throwing everything they had toward the net. And with just eight seconds remaining, the puck found the stick of the exact guy you’d want, Nick Jarmain, who buried the equalizer to tie the game 4–4 and send the six Tomahawks on the ice, and the entire bench into a frenzy.
Momentum seemed to favor Johnstown heading into overtime, but the Nordiques seemed to regroup nicely in the short break at the benches and controlled the early pace. Ferris stood tall to keep his team alive, while Zetterkvist nearly capped off his night with a hat trick chance that narrowly missed the net. Unfortunately, Maine capitalized moments later at 2:29 of overtime when Josh Itri finished off a stretch pass on a breakaway, sealing a 5–4 win for the Nordiques in a thrilling finish.
Final shots on goal favored Johnstown, 28–20.
Your Johnstown Tomahawks will be back in action this evening in Maine to take on the Nordiques for another showdown that hopes to match the excitement from yesterday. Puck drop for Saturday’s contest will begin at 7:00PM. Get your tickets right now for the next home stand https://www.ticketmaster.com/johnstown-tomahawks-tickets/artist/1760594. Catch all of the action on NAHLTV and follow our social media accounts @tomahawkshockey to keep in the loop.
BY: DREW P. PFEIL