MAINE – The Johnstown Tomahawks (8-6-3) were victorious in a thrilling shootout contest versus the Maine Nordiques (11-3-2) by a final score of 1-0. The Tomahawks were led by Charlie Zetterkvist who was the only player to find the back of the net through 65 minutes plus the shootout. Tomahawks goaltender Zack Ferris was brilliant, turning aside 45 shots through regulation and overtime and stopped all three shots in the shootout.
Entering Saturday night’s game, the Tomahawks were looking to kick off the new calendar month by starting more of a positive streak, trying to at least get a point in each game versus the second place Nordiques over the weekend. In stark contrast to the night before, penalties gave way to scoring chances early in Saturday’s game—but not on the scoreboard. The Tomahawks took the first two penalties of the night, one roughly seven minutes in and another just five minutes later. Both times, the penalty kill stood tall, keeping the game scoreless. A major storyline in the opening frame was goaltender Zack Ferris, making his first start in a back-to-back situation this season. Ferris was sharp early, turning aside several quality looks from Maine, including a couple of short-handed chances during the Tomahawks’ lone power play of the period. Despite no goals through 20 minutes, the pace and energy were high, with both teams trading exciting opportunities and playing fundamentally sound hockey. A late penalty to Matteo Bertrand with just seven seconds left in the frame meant Johnstown would start the second period on the kill. Maine controlled much of the possession and offensive zone time, outshooting the Tomahawks 22–9 in an impressive opening period—but the score remained 0–0.
The second period mirrored much of the first, featuring a handful of early penalties and continued physical play. After successfully killing off the Bertrand carry-over penalty time from the first, the Tomahawks earned back-to-back power plays within a three-minute span. The first opportunity came up empty, and the second was cut short when Johnstown took a penalty of its own, resulting in a stretch of four-on-four hockey. While Maine continued to generate pressure, the Tomahawks did a better job of matching their pace and tightening up defensively. The physical intensity from both sides remained high, but penalty trouble continued to test the Johnstown penalty kill. Once again, Zack Ferris anchored the effort in net, standing tall through several tough stretches and keeping the Nordiques off the board. Offensively, the Tomahawks started to tilt the ice a bit more, outshooting Maine 12–10 in the middle frame. Through 40 minutes, shots favored the Nordiques 32–21, but the scoreboard still read 0–0.
Through 40 minutes, the score remained 0–0, yet this was easily one of the most exciting Tomahawks games of the young season. Each period carried a similar theme—steady physicality, frequent penalties, and outstanding goaltending on both ends. Early in the third, the Tomahawks found themselves shorthanded once again, taking their fourth straight penalty of the game. Still, the penalty kill continued to shine, denying every Maine opportunity. As the period wore on, Johnstown’s power play began generating some quality looks, especially past the midway point, but both goaltenders stood tall in what had become a full-on defensive and goaltending duel. With under five minutes left in regulation, the Tomahawks took their seventh penalty of the game, giving Maine a prime chance to finally break through. But the story of the night remained the same — Zack Ferris and the penalty killers were flawless once again. Just when we seemed destined for overtime, Johnstown earned a golden opportunity of their own with a power play in the final minute. The league’s leading goal scorer, Nick Jarmain, nearly ended it with multiple high-danger looks, but Maine’s goaltender answered with equally impressive saves, sending the game to extra time still scoreless.
The Tomahawks carried about a minute of power-play time into overtime, but Maine’s penalty kill continued its dominance, surviving the storm. Moments after the advantage expired, Johnstown was called for slashing, forcing more special-teams play. Much of the overtime period was spent at four-on-four, limiting open-ice chances and keeping the game tight and tense. It was an electric finish to overtime in a defensive showcase that highlighted two dialed-in goaltenders and two relentless penalty-killing units.
Your Johnstown Tomahawks will be back in action next weekend in Philadelphia to take on the Rebels for another showdown that hopes to match the excitement from yesterday. Puck drop for Friday’s contest will begin at 7:30PM. 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