Sports stats

Warriors Split In Johnstown; Stay In Playoff Race

January 22, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Michigan Warriors News Release


The Michigan Warriors came in to action this past weekend trailing Springfield and Janesville by five points for the final playoff spot in the North division. They faced the Johnstown Tomahawks, a team the Warriors had won their past three games against. The Warriors were looking to pick up their fourth win in a row against the Hawks on Friday night.

Warriors netminder Trevor Gorsuch made his ninth straight start Friday night, and was opposed by Air Force commit, Chris Truehl. The Hawks were all around the Warriors net and finally scored on the power play at 10:19 of the first. Jordan Watt scored his 11th goal of the season with Ian Spencer and newcomer Mitch Hall, drawing the assists. The Warriors tied it up at one on the power play at 13:24. Connor Lyons became the first Warrior to score double-digit goals this season, with his 10th. The score was tied at one after the first period, but the Tomahawks out shot the Warriors, 19-5.

The goalies saw premium attention in the second period. The Warriors killed off a five major to defenseman Rob Click that saw the Hawks buzzing the Warrior net. The goaltenders would not yield and the second period went scoreless, with Johnstown outshooting the Warriors, 18-11.

The third period started with a spirited scrap between dueling defenseman. Mitch Wedding of the Warriors, and Dakoda Menslage of the Hawks, fought one second into the period, trying to fire their respective benches up. The Warriors took their first lead of the hockey game at 11:50 of the third on A.J Marcinek's ninth goal of the season. Levi Erkkila and Sean Campbell added assists. Connor Lyons would add on an empty netter to give the Warriors a 3-1 win in Johnstown, despite being out shot 46-28 in the game. It was the Warriors fourth consecutive win against the Hawks.

On Saturday, the Warriors looked for their seventh win in the past ten games. Trevor Gorsuch made his tenth consecutive start and Chris Truehl started in net, once again, for Johnstown.

The Warriors had a plethora of chances in the first period. Chris Truehl stopped two Warriors breakaways and the two teams went to the locker room squared at zero. The Warriors out shot them 11-5.

Connor Lyons scored off a won draw at 2:30 of the 2nd. Zach Szajner got a chance to further the Warriors lead on a penalty shot, but was stopped by Chris Truehl. The Warriors lead, 1-0 after two.

The Tomahawks came out firing in the third. They cashed in on a 5 on 3 power-play, as Cody Gylling tied the game. Then Mt. Morris native, Jaycob McCombs gave Johnstown the lead at 6:59. A.J Marcinek tied it at two on a Warriors power-play but McCombs would Johnstown up for good at 15:03. A sharp angled shot beat Trevor Gorsuch in his five-hole. Johnstown would hang on to end the Warriors four game-winning streak against them. 3-2, the final score.

The Warriors are home this Friday, when they host the Port Huron Fighting Falcons at 7:05 PM.



North American Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2013


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.

Other Recent Michigan Warriors Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central