Weekend Preview
vs. Keystone
The Tomahawks return to the War Memorial for the first game of a home-and-home series against the Keystone Ice Miners. The Tomahawks and Ice Miners have met three times this season, with the Ice Miners holding the 2-1 advantage.
Keystone took the season opener 5-4 in Connellsville on Sept. 13. The Ice Miners took a 2-0 lead in the first period, as Alex Archibald and Jacob Coleman scored in the first 10 minutes. Brady Bender and Tanner Barnes tied the game for the Tomahawks, before Cam Bleck and Jake Houston scored late in the period to give the Tomahawks a 4-2 lead. Keystone came back with three goals in the third period to take the 5-4 victory.
The second meeting of the season took place here at the War Memorial on Oct. 25, with the Ice Miners escaping with a 5-4 victory. Vito Aluia and Noah Batis scored third period goals to break a 3-3 tie. Andrew Romano cut the deficit to one with a last second power-play goal.
In the most recent meeting on Oct. 26, the Tomahawks picked up the 4-3 shootout victory in Connellsville. The Tomahawks took a 2-1 lead after two periods, thanks to goals from Joe Drabin and Casey Linkenheld. After Noah Batis regained the Keystone lead with a pair of third period goals, Luke Lynch tied the game back up at three halfway through the third period. After a scoreless overtime period, Tanner Barnes scored the lone shootout goal to secure the victory for the Tomahawks.
Following tonight’s game, the home-and-home series concludes tomorrow night in Connellsville.
The Tomahawks
The Tomahawks will look to rebound after dropping two of three games in Springfield last weekend. The Tomahawks lost the series opener 2-1, before rebounding with a 6-3 win on Saturday night. Trevor Recktenwald had two goals and an assist in the victory, while Casey Linkenheld finished the game with four points (1G-3A). In the finale, the Jr. Blues scored a pair of third period goals in a 3-1 victory. Linkenheld scored the lone goal in the game.
Following this weekend’s games, the Tomahawks welcome Fairbanks to the War Memorial Dec. 30 and 31.
The Ice Miners
The Ice Miners are also looking to rebound after being swept in Janesville last weekend. On Friday night, the Jets picked up the 3-0 shutout, before finishing the weekend with a 4-3 victory. Keystone took a 2-1 lead after one period, thanks to goals by Brendan Jaquay and Noah Batis. Janesville tied the game in the second period, before Reed Scahill regained the lead for the Ice Miners in the third period. Janesville then scored a pair of late goals to secure the victory.
Following this weekend’s games, the Ice Miners return home to host Kenai River Dec. 30 and 31.
Facts & Notes
· The Tomahawks are 6-2 in Friday games this season. Prior to last weekend they had won six straight Friday games.
· The Tomahawks have the second-highest penalty kill percentage (87.02%) in the NAHL.
· Keystone’s 100 power-play opportunities this season rank 23rd in the league.
· Keystone’s Nick Kossoff is tied for fourth in the league with two shutouts this season.
North Division
All six North Division teams are in action this weekend. The other divisional match-up features Michigan traveling to the first place Janesville Jets. Springfield travels to Coulee Region and Soo travels to the Minnesota Wilderness for non-divisional match-ups.