TOMAHAWKS WIN WITH BIG 3RD PERIOD

Apr 2, 2021

The Johnstown Tomahawks defeated the Maine Nordiques Friday night by a score of 8-1, scoring eight unanswered goals, five coming in the 3rd period.

The Nordiques wasted no time getting started immediately as Isaiah Fox scored his 13th goal of the season only nine seconds in, putting the first shot on net behind Johnstown goaltender Josh Graziano. As both sides settled into the game, the Tomahawks got back on track with Jay Ahearn netting his league-leading 22nd goal of the season, scoring off the pass from line-mate Brendan Clark, earning his 29th assist this season for the Tomahawks. Four and a half minutes later, Anthony Mastromonica found the back of the net also to give the Tomahawks a 2-1 lead going into the back half of the period. After the early fluke, Graziano was solid in net for the Hawks in the opening period, making 14 saves in the first 20 minutes.

The 2nd period began with a lot of good, two-way action on both sides but neither side would be able to add to the scoresheet until Drew Murphy scores off the rebound on Liam Whitehouse’s initial shot, giving the Tomahawks a 3-1 lead to work with for the 7:53 remaining in the 2nd period. The Hawks penalty kill unit put work in after extending their lead as Will Margel was called for holding. The Tomahawks killed off the penalty and would head off with a 3-1 lead to start the 3rd.

The Tomahawks came back out for the 3rd period on fire, scoring five goals in the 3rd period, beginning with Brendan Clark netting his 12th goal of the season only 15 seconds into the period. Reed Stark and Daniel Tkac also contributed early in the period, scoring a minute and a half apart. After Tkac made it 6-1 in favor of the Hawks, the Nordiques swapped out goaltender Tyriq Outen for Avery Sturtz with 15:30 to go in the 3rd period. 8:05 into the period, Maine’s Matt Connor was called for slashing and it only took Will Margel 31 seconds to do his thing, extending the Tomahawks lead even further. Finally, Tkac would send us out with his second goal of the game to make it 8-1 Hawks with 1:51 remaining.

The two teams are back at it again tomorrow for what should be a good game, in Maine. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM Saturday night and the game will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV.