Beauparlant's NAHL Debut Nearly Ends in Storybook Fashion as Rochester Steals One in the Shootout
NAHL Johnstown Tomahawks

Beauparlant's NAHL Debut Nearly Ends in Storybook Fashion as Rochester Steals One in the Shootout

Published on January 25, 2026 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Johnstown Tomahawks News Release


JOHNSTOWN - The Johnstown Tomahawks (17-15-7) were defeated 3-2 in a shootout by the Rochester Jr. Americans (26-10-0) on another cold Saturday night in Johnstown. The Jr. Americans were led by Owen King once again, scoring the shootout winner and adding an assist. Ryan Shaw scored his 30th goal of the season, holding his spot for 2nd in the NAHL. Tomahawks were forced to pivot between the cage on both nights on the weekend and last night it was Luc Beauparlant making his first career NAHL start for his father's team (Coach Beauparlant). Beauparlant did his part in leading his team to a chance to win, turning aside 25 of the 27 shots from the lethal Rochester offensive front. Jensen Carlstrom got the shootout win for Rochester turning aside all three shots he faced and 18 of 20 through regulation and overtime.

The Tomahawks and Junior Americans met once again Saturday night in Johnstown for an earlier 6:00p.m. puck drop. After being held scoreless the night before, it felt like the opening goal just had to come off a Tomahawks stick for things to swing in their favor - and it did. After some early rough stuff between Tomahawks captain Nick Jarmain and Rochester assistant captain Ryan Shaw, both were sent off for matching roughing minors. Shortly after the penalties expired, Hawks defenseman Drew Peterson ripped a shot from the right point through traffic, using strong net-front presence that was emphasized in the pregame, to score his second goal of the season and give Johnstown a 1-0 lead. Aaron Bleier and Evan Kensey picked up the assists. With just over eight minutes remaining in the period, the Tomahawks earned the game's first power play as Shaw was whistled for interference - giving the Hawks' a prime chance to extend the lead against a Rochester team that thrives when playing from ahead. However, the Jr. Americans' penalty kill stood tall and kept it a one-goal game. Rochester began to find its rhythm late in the period, and after a strong shift from the Shaw-Flaherty-King line, Ryan Shaw buried a goal with just one second remaining in the frame - a true momentum killer heading into the first intermission. King and Flaherty were credited with the assists. After the first, the game was tied 1-1, with Rochester holding an 11-7 edge in shots on goal.

The Tomahawks didn't allow the late Rochester goal to completely wipe away their momentum heading into the second period. Just 1:14 in, Hawks forward Evan Kensey picked up his second point of the night - and this time found the back of the net for his first of the year. Kensey hustled to chase down a Tomahawks dump-in that took an odd carom off the end boards and kicked toward the feet of Rochester goaltender Carlstrom at the post. In one quick motion, Kensey poked the loose puck past him for the goal. Charlie Zetterkvist and Kirby Perler were credited with the assists. It was a well-earned first goal of the season for Kensey, as he had been buzzing all around scoring chances and opportunities over the past few weekends Only two penalties were called for the remainder of the period, but both penalty-kill units stood strong and kept the puck out of the net. Shots in the second period were even at 5-5, bringing the total through 40 minutes to Rochester 16 and Johnstown 12. This time, the Tomahawks made it to the intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The stage was set for a big third period with two crucial points on the line, as a regulation win would have given the Tomahawks valuable ground in the standings while keeping Rochester right where they were. The third period played out much like the rest of the night, which was one of the more entertaining, complete hockey games you could ask for. There were quality scoring chances, big saves at both ends, physical play, pace, and energy, making it a fun one to watch from start to finish, no matter who you were pulling for. That tone continued until just under four minutes remaining, with Johnstown still clinging to their 2-1 lead. After Rochester had tilted the ice for several shifts and generated sustained pressure, Clay O'Donnell finally broke through, scoring his first goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2 late. The goal felt inevitable, as the Jr. Americans had been pushing hard in the minutes leading up to it. Despite the goal, Tomahawks rookie emergency backup goaltender Luc Beauparlant - son of Tomahawks assistant coach Jeff Beauparlant - continued to impress in his NAHL debut. He faced a barrage of chances in the third period and delivered a strong performance throughout regulation. Rochester gathered the momentum from the tying goal and drew a massive penalty with just 2:20 remaining, as Nick Jarmain was sent off for cross-checking, giving the Jr. Americans a power play for nearly the remainder of regulation. Once again, the Tomahawks' penalty kill came through in a big moment. Beauparlant and the PK unit were outstanding, earning several clears and killing off the penalty to force overtime.

Overtime was played with intelligence and discipline from both sides. While chances existed, Rochester was held without a shot on goal thanks to strong Tomahawks defense and puck possession. Johnstown generated a couple of good looks, including odd-man rush opportunities, but just couldn't convert. With one minute remaining in overtime, Owen King was penalized for interference, giving the Tomahawks a four-on-three power play and a prime opportunity to end it. However, Rochester's penalty kill held firm yet again, sending the game to a shootout.

Rochester shot first in the shootout, marking yet another first for Beauparlant in his NAHL debut. He turned aside Adam Gianta to kick things off. William Stewart shot first for the Tomahawks but was denied by Carlstrom. Controversy followed when Owen King - who had taken a penalty late in overtime (1:08) - was given the green light to shoot despite contemplation of league rules that a penalized player at the end of overtime should be ineligible for the shootout. Coach Houli voiced his objections from the bench, but King was ultimately permitted to shoot and slid the puck through the five-hole to give Rochester the edge. Jack Sullivan followed for the Tomahawks but was stopped by Carlstrom. Beauparlant answered with another save to keep Johnstown alive, setting the stage for Hawks' shootout specialist Charlie Zetterkvist. After making a strong move to pull Carlstrom out of position, Zetterkvist appeared to lose the handle - possibly with some contact - and was unable to finish, sealing a 3-2 Rochester win in the shootout. Final shots on goal favored the Jr. Americans, 27-20.

Your Johnstown Tomahawks will be back in action next weekend for another home stand in Johnstown! We'll host another East Division rival in the New Jersey Titans for a two game set that will kick off on Friday, January 30th at 7:30PM, followed by Saturday, January 31st at 7:00PM. Get your tickets for the home stand NOW! https://www.ticketmaster.com/johnstown-tomahawks-tickets/artist/1760594. Catch all of the action on NAHLTV and follow our social media accounts @tomahawkshockey to keep in the loop.

BY: DREW P. PFEIL

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2026


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