Weekend Preview: Johnstown at Aston/Johnstown at New Jersey

Nov 5, 2015

The Johnstown Tomahawks close out a six-game road trip this weekend, taking on the Aston Rebels and New Jersey Titans. The Tomahawks currently sit one point behind Aston for second place in the East Division, and four points behind New Jersey for the top spot. Face-off is set for 7 p.m. Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Tomahawks

                Johnstown returns to the Keystone State after going 2-2 in Alaska. The Tomahawks swept Kenai River in the first weekend, before dropping a pair of games to Fairbanks last weekend.

                Forward Andrew Romano has been an important part of the Tomahawks offense in the last 10 games, scoring six goals and adding seven assists. The Tomahawks have also found success on special teams, ranking in the top ten in both power-play percentage (20.7%) and penalty kill percentage (85.3%).

                Following this weekend’s games, the Tomahawks return home next Thursday-Saturday to start an 11-game homestand against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Face-off for Thursday is set for 10:30 a.m., while Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 7 p.m.

Aston

                The Tomahawks return to Aston, looking for their first win of the season against the Rebels. In the first meeting, the Rebels picked up a 3-2 overtime win. They also took the most recent meeting, 5-3 on Oct. 9.

                Aston has won three straight games, and is 8-2-0 in its last ten games. The Rebels split their games with Fairbanks, before sweeping Kenai River last weekend.

                Ryan Solomon has tallied five assists in the last five games, while Dean Balsamo has three goals and an assist in the last five games. Darion Hanson has been solid in net for the Rebels, going 6-0 with a 2.26 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.

                Following Friday’s game, Aston visits Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday night. They host New Jersey next Friday and Saturday.

New Jersey

                On Saturday night, the Tomahawks return to New Jersey to take on the first place Titans. The Tomahawks are looking to repeat the success they had in their last visit to New Jersey, which resulted in a 4-3 victory. The Titans hold a 3-1 advantage this season, after taking both games in Johnstown.

                Anthony Cusanelli and Raymond Brice have been strong for New Jersey scoring double-digit points in the last ten games. New Jersey goaltender Jack Berry is 2-1 with a shutout against the Tomahawks this season.

                Romano leads the Tomahawks with five points (two goals, three assists) against the Titans, while Filips Buncis has three goals against them.