CANTON –
The Johnstown Tomahawks (2-1-0) scored six unanswered goals to defeat the Northeast Generals (0-2-1) by a score of 8-4 on Friday night to spoil the Generals home opener in Canton, MA. The Tomahawks were led by rookie Shane Tronoski who recorded a hat-trick in just his 3rd career NAHL game, along with their captain Nick Jarmain who potted two goals and goaltender Zack Ferris who after a fast-paced start with tons of scoring from both sides, settled in nicely and was a key part to the victory recording 35 saves on 39 shots.
Friday night’s matchup opened with plenty of pace and few whistles. Just four minutes in, rookie Shane Tronoski netted his first career NAHL goal to put Johnstown in front. Northeast responded midway through the frame, but defenseman Sean Leetch answered with also his first as a Tomahawk to restore the lead. The Generals struck again in the final minute of the period, sending the game to intermission tied 2–2. Shots after one favored Johnstown, 16–11.
The second period tilted toward Northeast, who scored back-to-back goals to jump ahead 4–2. The Generals registered a 20 shot-on-goal period and scored twice but were stymied on many occasions by Zack Ferris to keep the lead at just two. With time winding down, Tronoski delivered again, burying his second of the night with just six seconds remaining in the period to cut the deficit in half and swing momentum back to the Hawks. Late goals like these can tend to make or break the remainder of a contest, especially in a close game. A big goal for the rookie to send his team to the locker room. Shots after two periods now favored the Generals, 31–28.
The third period will go down as one of the most explosive in recent Tomahawks memory. Just 90 seconds in, Hawks captain Nick Jarmain tied the game at four. A 3rd period tying goal from your leader can do wonders for the momentum of a hockey game and boy did it ever on Friday night. Just a minute later, Jacob Ingstrup, playing in his first game back with Johnstown after being in the USHL, finished off a breakaway to give the Tomahawks their first lead since the opening period. From there, goaltender Zack Ferris turned aside several key chances to protect the lead.
With six minutes left, the captain struck again for his second of the night, giving Johnstown some breathing room at 6–4. Emerson Marshall added another tally a few minutes later to extend the cushion to 7-4, which for Marshall, was a great way to respond after a couple of early penalties in the game. Then, fittingly, it was Shane Tronoski who capped off the night — completing his hat trick in just his third NAHL game to silence the Generals’ crowd and lock down an emphatic 8–4 Tomahawks victory. The final shots on goal for the contest were in favor of Johnstown at 40-39.
Your Johnstown Tomahawks are back in action tomorrow night as we take on the Northeast Generals once again in Canton, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 20th. Catch all the action at https://nahltv.com/ and follow our social media accounts @tomahawkshockey so you don’t miss a beat!
BY: DREW P. PFEIL