Tomahawks complete sweep, top Port Huron in shootout 3-2
November 23, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Johnstown Tomahawks News Release
The Johnstown Tomahawks secured a hard-earned two points in a physical game against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena on Saturday night. The game was sent into a shootout, with the Tomahawks winning 3-2.
Port Huron opened the scoring at 11:54 of the first period, when forward Mitch Maloney deflected a Jonathan Kopacka shot, sending a fluttering puck past Johnstown goalie Alex Okicki. The goal, Maloney's 12th of the year, was also assisted by Bryan Yim and gave Port Huron a 1-0 lead they would carry into the first intermission.
Maloney extended the Fighting Falcons lead with his second goal of the game at 15:24 in the second period when he found the loose puck in front of the crowded crease and flipped it past Okicki. Kopacka also assisted on the play. The Tomahawks answered back at 16:08 when Forest Donovan scored his first goal as a Tomahawk, taking a pass from Joe Drabin and whipping it past the left shoulder of Port Huron goalie Max Milosek. Drabin had initiated the play with a ferocious check against a Port Huron defender to pry the puck loose and charge to the net before feeding the puck to Donovan. The play also send several hundred stuffed toys hurtling to the ice, as fans celebrated the goal by participating in the "Teddy Bear Toss" promotion to benefit Toys for Tots.
The Tomahawks were quick to tie the game in the third period with the second goal in two nights from Zach Wallace at 1:32. Wallace netted his third of the year, taking a rebound from Omar Mullan's shot, and putting it past Milosek. Johnstown and Port Huron traded scoring opportunities for the remainder of the third period, but both Okicki and Milosek kept the game at a 2-2 tie.
After a scoreless overtime, the game moved to a shootout. Port Huron's Nick Horn struck first, popping a quick shot though Okicki's five-hole. Tyler Basham was the first to score for Johnstown, hurtling a quick wrist shot past Milosek. Wallace, Johnstown's fourth shooter, was the next to score, approaching Milosek with a slow, side-to-side deke before shoving the puck under the netminder's pads. On Port Huron's final shot, Noah Batis took the puck wide to Alex Okicki's right, forcing the Tomahawks' goaltender out of his crease. Okicki quickly lunged at the puck, batting it away from Battis and securing Johnstown's third consecutive win over Port Huron.
The win completes the weekend series sweep for Johnstown and moves the Tomahawks to 14-9-1 on the season. The game also completes an 11-game homestand that saw the Tomahawks emerge with a 7-4 record. Port Huron, meanwhile, drops to 15-3-4 on the year after losing consecutive games for the first time this year.
The Tomahawks depart next week for a road trip that will last until late December. Johnstown returns home for a pair of games against Michigan on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31. For tickets or additional information, call 814-536-GOAL (4625), visit www.JohnstownTomahawks.com or email info@JohnstownTomahawks.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2013
- Tomahawks complete sweep, top Port Huron in shootout 3-2 - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Comeback Comes up Short in Brookings - Austin Bruins
- Power-Play Goals Key IceRays Sweep of Brahmas with 3-1 Win - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wild Sweeps Warriors With Road Win - Wenatchee Wild
- Warriors fall to Wild 4-2 Saturday night - Michigan Warriors
- Bruins Beat the Blizzard 3-0 - Brookings Blizzard
- Runners Blank-A-Lopes Again 7-0 - Topeka Pilots
- Wichita Falls loses to Fairbanks - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Bulls Fall to Killer Bees 1-0 at Home Ice - Amarillo Bulls
- WINGS WIN 2-1, Roo Scores Both - Aberdeen Wings
- Ice Dogs Top Wildcats, 3-1 - Wichita Falls Wildcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
