NAHL Johnstown Tomahawks

Tomahawks Complete Weekend Sweep of Warriors with Thrilling 6-4 Win

Published on February 15, 2014 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Johnstown Tomahawks News Release


The Johnstown Tomahawks dodged a late Michigan comeback at the Cambria County War Memorial Saturday night, completing a weekend sweep and pulling within two points of the Warriors in a tightly contested North Division race.

Johnstown opened the scoring at 14:15 in the first period, when forward Shane Bednard found Jordan Watt in the slot, where he beat goaltender Robbie Beydoun with a wrist shot. The goal was Watt's 12th of the season. Michigan answered quickly with a power play goal from forward T.J Stuntz at 13:35. Stuntz's first shot deflected off the pad of goaltender Alex Okicki, but he controlled the rebound and slid the puck behind Okicki to tie the game. Johnstown took a 2-1 lead with Bednard's 17th goal of the season when he corralled a loose puck in front of Beydoun and slammed it into the net at 12:55.

In the second period, Johnstown extended the lead to 3-1 when forward Tanner Barnes entered the zone with speed and found the rebound from Casey Linkenheld's shot sitting in front of Beydoun. Barnes' goal - his seventh of the year and second as a Tomahawk - was assisted by Linkenheld and Tyler Basham.

Michigan cut the deficit to one at 1:51 in the second period, when forward Jon Farkas slipped through the defense and lifted a backhand shot over the blocker of Okicki. Farkas's ninth goal of the season was assisted by A.J Marcinek.

Johnstown started the scoring in the third period, when Bednard recorded his second goal of the night (18th goal of the season) at 14:01 on the power play. Forward Matt Meier hit a cutting Bednard in the high slot, where he wristed a shot past Beydoun.

The Tomahawks wasted little time adding to their lead, as Jordan Watt took a pass from Zach Wallace on an odd-man rush and blasted it past Beydoun at 12:55, putting Johnstown up 5-2.

Michigan, however, mounted a comeback that put Johnstown fans on edge, as they answered with three consecutive goals. At 10:33, Colin Larkin collected his own rebound to beat Okicki to bring the Warriors within two. The Warriors struck again at 9:54 with a goal from forward A.J Marcinek, lifted a wrist shot over the blocker of Okicki.

Michigan continued to threaten in the final minutes of the game, with Beydoun pulled and the extra attacker on the ice for Michigan. Watt, however, was able to seal the series sweep for Johnstown when he stole the puck from Michigan defender Mitchell Wedding behind the empty Michigan net and completed the hat-trick at 0:15. Watt's goal sent the crowd of 2,987 into a deafening frenzy as Watt celebrated the game-clincher goal at center ice.

The 6-4 win moves Johnstown to 25-19-3 (52 points) and within two points of the second-place Warriors (23-14-8, 54 points).

Despite the loss, Michigan out-shot Johnstown 34 to 26 on the night, and dominated on the power play. The Warriors were thee-for-four on the man advantage, while Johnstown was just one-for-six for the second consecutive night.

Okicki stopped 30 of 34 shots, improving to 18-11-1 on the year. Beydoun, meanwhile, fell to 4-1-0, stopping 20 of 25 shots in his first loss of the season.

The Tomahawks will continue their home stand next weekend as they host the Wenatchee Wild on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22. For tickets or additional information, call 814-536-GOAL (4625), visit www.JohnstownTomahawks.com or email info@JohnstownTomahawks.com.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2014


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