Tomahawks Fall to Wild in Overtime, 3-2
Published on February 22, 2014 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Johnstown Tomahawks News Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. "" Despite a dazzling goal by Dakoda Menslage in the final seconds of the third period to send the game to overtime, the Johnstown Tomahawks were unable to complete their comeback effort against the Wenatchee Wild Saturday night, falling 3-2 in front of 3,560 fans at the Cambria County War Memorial.
Action started early in the first as Johnstown forward Matt Meier drew Wild goalie Austin Priebe out of the net and pushed the puck into the open right side of the net at 8:31 in the first period. Meier's 17th goal of the season was assisted by Tanner Barnes.
Wenatchee answered back on the power play late in the period with a goal by forward Parker Tuomie, whose shot bounced off the glove of Tomahawks goalie Alex Okicki, giving Tuomie his 19th goal of the season.
Tempers flared early in the second, when several Johnstown and Wenatchee players became involved in a scuffle that resulted in multiple game ejections. A hit by former Tomahawk Omar Mullan on defenseman Logan sparked an altercation that saw Wenatchee lose forward Mike Coyne for the remainder of the game. For Johnstown, Matt Meier and Shane Bednard "" two of the Tomahawks' top goal scorers were lost for the game.
Tuomie struck again midway through the second period with his 20th goal of the season. After a pass from defensemen Mitch Demario, Tuomie took a shot at the crowded net and r mered the puck into the back corner at 11:42, making the score 2-1.
The Tomahawks pulled Okicki with 0:56 left in regulation for the extra attacker, starting a furious final minute with scoring chances on both ends of the ice. At 19:41, Johnstown defensemen Dakoda Menslage took a pass from defenseman Mitch Hall and drove a shot through thick traffic in front of the net, finding an open spot past Priebe's head to tie the game 2-2 with his fifth goal of the season.
The momentum swing did not last, however, as Wenatchee forward David Powloski jammed the puck past Okicki's right skate for his ninth goal of the season just 0:14 into the overtime.
Okicki stopped 17 of 20 shots in the game, his 100th played in the NAHL. For Wenatchee,Priebe blocked 32 of 34 shots on goal. Johnstown was 0-for-5 on the powerplay, while Wenatchee scored once on six man-advantage chances.
The overtime loss moves Johnstown to 26-19-4 on the season, with the single point gained advancing the Tomahawks to a tie with the Michigan Warriors for second place in the North Division. Wenatchee improves to 25-20-6 on the year.
The Tomahawks will be on the road next weekend to take on the Michigan Warriors and will return to the War Memorial to take on Janesville Jets on March 7-8.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2014
- Tomahawks Fall to Wild in Overtime, 3-2 - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Offensive Woes Continue for 'Rays in 3-0 Loss to Amarillo - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wild Wins In Overtime At Johnstown - Wenatchee Wild
- Future IceRays Forward Bryer Commits to Mercyhurst - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wings Lose 2-1 in Overtime - Aberdeen Wings
- Bridges Ties Record Blanking Brahmas - Topeka Pilots
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