Tomahawks Top Port Huron 4-3
November 22, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Johnstown Tomahawks News Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Johnstown Tomahawks secured a hard-earned two points in an emotional victory against the division-leading Port Huron Fighting Falcons Friday night at the Cambria County War Memorial, surging in the third period to win the game 4-3.
Zach Wallace gave the Tomahawks an early lead with his second goal of the season at 11:22 of the first period. Wallace charged from behind the net past a pair of Port Huron defenders to cut in front of the goal and wrist the puck behind Port Huron's goalie Alex Blankenburg, with Jordan Watt and Joe Drabin assisting on the play. Later in the period, with Port Huron's Taylor Fernandez in the box for slashing, the Johnstown captain Brandon Reinholz added to the Tomahawks' lead with his eleventh goal of the season. Shane Bednard fed Reinholz the puck into the slot to set him up for the one-timer - putting Johnstown up 2-0 entering the first intermission.
Port Huron, however, controlled the game in the second period, striking quickly with Logan Lamdin's ninth goal of the season at 1:36 in the second. Lamdin's goal came on the powerplay as he harnessed the rebound from Lucas Little's shot and jammed it past Johnstown goalie Alex Okicki to pull within one. Lamdin struck again two minutes later, capitalizing on a crowded net in front of Okicki at 6:03. The goal, assisted by Niko Coffman, pulled Port Huron even, carrying a tie into the final period.
The Tomahawks quickly regained the lead early in the third period, aided by a five-on-three powerplay opportunity. Mitch Hall took a pass at the blue line from Watt and wristed the puck past Blankenburg into the back of the net at 2:42 of the third to pick up his second goal of the season. Still on the man advantage, the Tomahawks doubled their lead at 4:05 as Matt Meier scored his eighth of the season, and Watt earned his third assist of the night. Port Huron cut the Tomahawks' lead by one four minutes later when Coffman recorded his first goal of the season. Coffman hit the puck off the post and past Okicki's skate when he received a pass from Bryan Yim at the left face-off circle at 8:05 in the final period. However, Johnstown held off a late Port Huron surge, winning with a final score of 4-3.
The win was Johnstown's second consecutive win over Port Huron, who had lost only two games in regulation this season entering Friday night's game. It was also the first loss of the season for Blankenburg, who dropped to a 9-1-0 record. Okicki, meanwhile, moved to a 9-6-0 mark on the year for Johnstown.
The Tomahawks wrap up the weekend series with Port Huron Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the War Memorial. Saturday marks the Johnstown tradition of the Teddy Bear Toss, and fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed toy to donate to Toys for Tots by throwing it onto the ice after the Tomahawks score their first goal. For tickets or additional information, call 814-536-GOAL (4625), visit www.JohnstownTomahawks.com or email info@JohnstownTomahawks.com.
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