JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks defeated the Northeast Generals by a score of 5-3 on Monday, December 30th at 1st Summit Arena.
The Tomahawks kicked off one of the most exciting home weekends of the season in exhilarating fashion, scoring two goals on their first four shots on goal within the first five minutes of the opening period. The first goal was the result of a great forecheck from Hawks forward Adam Ondris and after being denied by the Northeast goaltender, the puck found itself on Cullen Emery’s stick and he made no mistake striking just a minute in. The second assist on the goal was credited to Caden Olenczak. Just three minutes later, the Hawks doubled the lead with a pretty finish from Adam Ondris on a 2 on 1 chance with Nick White. Sean Morgan contributed the second assist on the goal. The first period played out in rather physical manner, with both teams seemingly trying to get back into the swing of things after the holiday break. The shots after the first period were in favor of the Tomahawks with a total of 8-5.
The second period began with somewhat of a slower pace than the first but Northeast definitely came out better than they did in the first, evening up the shots on goal to nine for each side just five minutes in. Hawks goaltender Zack Ferris got himself settled in this one making several key stops in the second to keep the Hawks lead to one. As time kept running off the clock in the period, a continuous Northeast attack kept the Tomahawks hemmed in the defensive zone for minutes on end. Ferris was brilliant on several occasions once again, bailing his team out of trouble and helping them try and carry their lead into the final period. Northeast would get a breakaway chance with about three minutes left but this time instead of Ferris, it was the post shutting down the Generals for the second time in the period. The period ended at the same score, 2-1 Tomahawks. Northeast took a 21-13 shot advantage with them, however.
After a rather slow 2nd period, the 3rd and final frame wasted no time bringing the excitement as Northeast tied the game up at two just 45 seconds into the period. The Tomahawks responded perfectly to the Northeast goal with two goals of their own in just over a two-minute span, doubling the lead once again. Adam Ondris continued his scoring ways, notching the first of the two and his second of the game with assists to Kirby Perler and Owen Mahar. The second Hawks goal of the period came from Charlie Zetterkvist, making it 4-2 with nearly 16 minutes to play. After some more added pressure and control from the home team, seven minutes after the Zetterkvist goal, Dallas Potter notched the Tomahawks’ 5th goal and his 3rd of the season to make it 5-2. With just about three minutes to go, Northeast would finish off a beautiful solo effort to make it 5-3 but it would prove to be too little, too late for the Generals as the Tomahawks would finish things off comfortably and move onto tomorrow with a strong win under their belts.
The Johnstown Tomahawks return to action tomorrow night to face these same Northeast Generals on the biggest party event of the season to celebrate New Years Eve! Tuesday’s contest will begin at 6:00PM so don’t miss out on the excitement and get your New Years Eve plans started with the Johnstown Tomahawks! Secure your tickets and explore all of our future promotions at www.johnstowntomahawks.com.
By DREW P. PFEIL | drew@johnstowntomahawks.com