Ondris, Avakyan Propel Tomahawks as They Double up Titans 6-3 in Game 1
April 12, 2025 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Johnstown Tomahawks News Release
Adam Ondris scored twice, Nick Avakyan made 40 saves as the Johnstown Tomahawks (1-0-0) defeated the New Jersey Titans (0-1-0) in Game 1 of the Robertson Cup Playoffs First Round Series.
The Johnstown Tomahawks got off to an extremely fast start in Fridays contest, although they were held off the scoresheet. The Tomahawks started the 1st period with lots of sustained pressure in the New Jersey zone leading to a couple solid chances but nothing of substance. They went on to register the first 5 shots on goal but halfway through period 1, the Titans would even up the shots at a total of 6-6 but the majority of them routine for Nick Avakyan. Using some of the early momentum in their favor, the Tomahawks went on to strike first in the contest as Adam Ondris buried a beautiful pass from Andrew Cowgill to give the Hawks an early 1-0 lead.
With approximately 2:00, left to play in the period, just as the Tomahawks thought they were going to escape to the locker room with a lead, the Titans struck back, tying the game at 1-1. After one period of play, the Tomahawks were holding the shot on goal advantage at 16-12.
To begin the 2nd period the Tomahawks wanted to get the next goal and regain their lead back. It took just 4:00 minutes and they did just that when defenseman Andrew Cowgill joined the rush and sniped one over the blocker side of the Titans goaltender to make it 2-1. Just two minutes later, New Jersey would once again answer back and tie the game at 2-2. After giving up a goal like this, you would assume a playoff game would take on much tighter style but it was the Tomahawks who went on to score three goals in a span of the next five minutes to take a commanding 5-2 lead.
The third Tomahawks goal of the evening was off the stick of Adam Csabi on a breakaway after assists from Nick White and Kirby Perler. Charlie Zetterkvist then wasted no time as just two minutes later he struck to double the lead at 4-2 on the power-play. The assist was credited to Cullen Emery. Continuing the avalanche of momentum Adam Ondris scored his second of the night after a slick pass from linemate Adam Csabi to increase the lead to three and make it 5-2.
It's a rare feat for any NAHL team to score 4-goals in a period, let alone during an entire game and for the Tomahawks, it couldn't have come at a better time than in the first playoff game of the 2025 season. New Jersey would keep themselves in it however adding their 3rd of the game to make it 5-3
Entering the 3rd period, the Tomahawks had themselves a comfortable lead but New Jersey wasn't going to give up easily.
Just 6:00 into the final frame, the Titans got their 3rd goal of the game and it made for an interesting final 14-minutes. The momentum was starting to build following the goal as the extremely disciplined Tomahawks started to stray from that season long strength, and found themselves killing a 5-on-3 just seconds after giving up a goal. Nick Avakyan stood tall on the kill along with some strong efforts from the Hawks penalty killers to change the course of the game in their favor. It's likely that if the Titans capitalized on that power-play opportunity, the all of a sudden one-goal game, could've flipped heavily towards New Jersey.
Using the energy from the kill, the Tomahawks went on to empty out the clock and shut down the Titans. Nick White sealed the deal with an 180-foot empty netter. The Captain, Dylan Shane setup White to put the nail in this one, winning 6-3.
Your Johnstown Tomahawks will pick right back up tomorrow at 6:00 for Game Two against the New Jersey Titans. Catch all of the action on NATV!
North American Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2025
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- Bruins Clinch Home Ice in Central Division Semi-Final - Austin Bruins
- Titans Drop Game 1 to Johnstown - New Jersey Titans
- Ondris, Avakyan Propel Tomahawks as They Double up Titans 6-3 in Game 1 - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Wolverines Score 3 Unanswered, Complete Shootout Comeback Win Against Steel - Anchorage Wolverines
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