JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks (15-12-5) were defeated by the Northeast Generals (17-12-4) by a final score of 3-1 in Johnstown on Tuesday, December 30th. The Tomahawks scored just three minutes into the game and then were shutout for the next 55+ minutes, continuing their struggles to score consistently. Tomahawks rookie goaltender Nikita Oleksiienko got the start for the Hawks and played extremely solid, turning aside 27 of 30 in the loss. Kalib Capecci recorded the lone Tomahawks goal and Northeast was sparked by their leading scorer Braydon Hudtloff who scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game in the 2nd period.
The Tomahawks opened up one of the most exciting home stands of the season with their New Year’s Eve celebration on New Year’s Eve Eve Tuesday night at 1st Summit Arena. Beyond the energy in the building, the matchup carried major implications in the East Division standings, as the Tomahawks entered the night in sixth place, just one point behind the fifth-place Northeast Generals. The Hawks had already taken the first two meetings between the teams back in September and looked to extend their four-game point streak. Johnstown wasted no time setting the tone. Just 3:39 into the opening period, defenseman Kalib Capecci capitalized on a loose puck in front after a slick spinning feed from Talen Del-Signore. Showing impressive patience, Capecci went forehand-backhand-forehand before tucking it under the goaltender’s glove to give the Tomahawks an early 1–0 lead. Moments later, Capecci was then sent to the box, giving the Gens a great chance to tie it up but the Tomahawks’ penalty kill stood tall to preserve the lead. The opening frame featured strong back-and-forth action and a pace that hinted at an entertaining night ahead. Although Northeast outshot Johnstown 13–10 in the first period, the Tomahawks skated into the intermission with the 1–0 advantage and plenty of momentum after a great start.
If the first period set the tone, the second period definitely delivered the unexpected. The Tomahawks earned their first power-play opportunity of the night about six minutes in and generated some sustained zone time with good puck movement. However, a breakdown while cycling allowed the Generals to spring the puck back the other way, and sloppy coverage in front left a man wide open. Northeast capitalized with a shorthanded goal from leading scorer Braydon Hudtloff, tying the game at 1–1 and swinging momentum sharply in the Generals’ favor. The pressure continued just two minutes later when Kalib Capecci was sent off again, this time for interference, putting Northeast back on the power play. Once again, the Tomahawks’ penalty kill came through, holding strong and keeping the game even as the Generals looked to build on their momentum. Midway through the period, Northeast appeared to take the lead on a power-play chance, threading a pass through the slot to a dangerous scorer who lifted a shot over the blocker of goaltender Nikita Oleksiienko. The puck rang off the post and out, but the Generals immediately requested a review to determine whether it had crossed the goal line. After further review, officials ruled the puck did not fully cross, and the score remained tied. With just under six minutes remaining in the period, a crack in the glass behind Oleksiienko forced an extended stoppage as arena staff replaced the pane. Due to the 20–30 minute delay, the officials elected to send both teams to an early intermission. Play was later scheduled to resume with the final 5:52 of the second period, followed by a brief bench break before the third period began. After two periods — sort of — Northeast continued to hold a slight edge in shots, 23–20, with the score knotted at 1–1.
The remaining 5:52 of the second period ticked off following the extended delay, and both teams headed to the benches setting up a 1–1 game heading into the third. Johnstown was handed a golden opportunity just 1:03 into the final frame when the Generals were whistled for tripping, but the Tomahawks’ power play continued to come up empty. Momentum swung the other way four minutes later when Stephen Fabiano — the same player who had taken the early third-period penalty — capitalized on another defensive-zone breakdown and gave Northeast a 2–1 lead. It was an uncharacteristic feel to the game on Tuesday night, with both teams forced to navigate the extended stoppage and shortened break. While neither side could use it as an excuse, the Tomahawks appeared to be the one to struggle coming out of it, as the Generals controlled much of the third period. Johnstown did generate a few quality looks in the five minutes following Fabiano’s lead-taking goal, but Generals goaltender Will Mizenko remained steady, calmly handling chances and controlling rebounds. Any chance of a late push was deflated with 8:16 remaining when Sean Morgan was sent off for cross-checking. Just 11 seconds into the ensuing power play, Andrew Gibbons buried the insurance goal to make it 3–1. The Hawks captain Nick Jarmain helped spark a brief response with a handful of quality chances, and even a post, but once again Mizenko stood tall. Tempers flared in the final minute as multiple Tomahawks were assessed unsportsmanlike and roughing minors, setting the stage for an even more intense rematch on New Year’s Eve tonight. Johnstown ultimately fell 3–1 to the Northeast Generals on Tuesday night, despite outshooting them 33–30.