The Johnstown Tomahawks came out flying against the New Jersey Titans in Middletown, opening their weekend series with a 6-1 win Friday night.
Johnstown accounted for two goals in the opening frame with goals from Zack Murray and Jacob Badal finding the back of the net 1:15 apart around the mid-point of the period. Tomahawks goaltender Sam Evola was tested early but stood tall stopping all nine shots faced in the first 20.
Johnstown carried their momentum into the 2nd period with them and wasted no time adding to their lead with Jake Black getting his fifth goal of the season 1:53 into the period and extending his point-streak into seven games. Ryan Vellucci scored his first goal of the season 8:37 into the middle frame, ending the night for New Jersey netminder, Andrew Takacs as Ben Charette took over in net for the Titans. Forward Johnny Ulicny extended the lead for the Tomahawks later on in the period, putting them up 5-0 with David Matousek earning his second apple of the night.
New Jersey found the back of the net with Anthony Mollica opening the scoring for the Titans 34 seconds into the 3rd period. The Tomahawks responded by regaining their five goal lead with Black getting his second goal of the game. As frustrations set in for the Titans, Coleman Nee and Dusty Geregach dropped the gloves with 11:48 remaining in regulation. The Tomahawks weren’t done yet though as Carson Galin also scored his first goal of the season Friday night, making it a 7-1 final for the Tomahawks.
We get to do it all again tomorrow night as the Tomahawks and Titans face off again tomorrow, Saturday, October 8 at 7 PM at Middletown Ice World Arena for the final game of the weekend series. The game can be watched on HockeyTV.
BOX SCORE:
1st period:
(8:03) JOHNSTOWN – Zack Murray (6) from Stephen Kyrkostas (3)
(9:24) JOHNSTOWN – Jacob Badal (3) from Jake Black (5) and Cedrick Theodore (2)
2nd period:
(1:59) JOHNSTOWN – Jake Black (5) from Mack Oliphant (4) and Jacob Badal (3)
(8:37) JOHNSTOWN – Ryan Vellucci (1) from David Matousek (1)
(13:02) JOHNSTOWN – Johnny Ulicny (2) from David Matousek (2)
3rd period:
(:34) NEW JERSEY – Anthony Mollica (2) from Coleman Nee (1)
(7:09) JOHNSTOWN – Jake Black (6) from Stephen Kyrkostas (4)
(16:17) JOHNSTOWN – Carson Galin (1) from Ryan Vellucci (1)