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The Johnstown Tomahawks secured their position in the upcoming North American Hockey League playoffs Friday night, but locking down fifth place wasn’t the true objective.
The Maryland Black Bears tallied the first four goals in the game and defeated the Tomahawks 5-1 in front of 2,026 fans at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial.
“It was one of those nights, unfortunately. We had to win it and we didn’t,” Tomahawks coach Jared Kersner said.
“At the end of the day, we’re playing the Titans (in the playoffs). We got to get through Saturday, continue to work on things and get better.”
To advance one spot in the East Division standings, the Tomahawks (30-23-5) had to win both of this weekend’s games against the Black Bears (35-16-7), including the fan appreciation night finale Saturday.
Johnstown also needed fourth-place New Jersey to lose twice in regulation against division-leading Rochester. The Jr. Americans did their part in a 6-2 win over the host Titans. But the Tomahawks loss keeps them four points behind New Jersey (69-65) with one game remaining.
The Black Bears secured the second seed in the East Division and will join Rochester as the division’s two teams with a first-round bye.
Johnstown and New Jersey will begin a best-of-3 first-round playoff series next Friday. The higher-seeded Titans will host all three games against the Tomahawks.
The Tomahawks fell into a four-goal deficit before Cullen Emery converted on a power play with 6:30 remaining in the second period to make it 4-1.
“They had a lot of jump early,” Kersner said of the Black Bears. “Coming off three straight losses is a pretty odd spot for Maryland to be in. They needed to get a win to get that bye, and they played hard.”
Maryland’s Evan Sofikitis took Harrison Smith’s pass from behind the net and scored from the slot 12 minutes into the game. Tommy Holtby’s goal at 16:36 set a 2-0 score through one period.
The Black Bears’ Isac Nielsen found the net only 28 seconds into the second period, and Tyler Stern scored at 10:52 to make it 4-0.
“The one to start the second period we defended well,” Kersner said.
“We had an odd-man rush. We mishandled the puck and had a turnover at the blue line that ends up in our net.”
Johnstown’s Emery netted his 18th goal of the season as his shot from in tight caromed off a Black Bear defender’s skate and past goalie Marko Bilic with the Tomahawks skating with a man advantage.
Harrison Smith scored 7 seconds into the final period to quickly thwart any hopes for a Tomahawks miracle finish.
Smith benefited from an odd carom and had an open net because Johnstown netminder Nick Avakyan had been behind the net to play the puck.
“I thought we had good life making 4-1 going into the third,” Kersner said. “We had good energy coming out and then it gets wrapped around and hits a stanchion and ends up in our net. That really deflated us and maybe deflated the crowd.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
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The Maryland Black Bears tallied the first four goals in the game and defeated the Tomahawks 5-1 in front of 2,026 fans at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial.
“It was one of those nights, unfortunately. We had to win it and we didn’t,” Tomahawks coach Jared Kersner said.
“At the end of the day, we’re playing the Titans (in the playoffs). We got to get through Saturday, continue to work on things and get better.”
To advance one spot in the East Division standings, the Tomahawks (30-23-5) had to win both of this weekend’s games against the Black Bears (35-16-7), including the fan appreciation night finale Saturday.
Johnstown also needed fourth-place New Jersey to lose twice in regulation against division-leading Rochester. The Jr. Americans did their part in a 6-2 win over the host Titans. But the Tomahawks loss keeps them four points behind New Jersey (69-65) with one game remaining.
The Black Bears secured the second seed in the East Division and will join Rochester as the division’s two teams with a first-round bye.
Johnstown and New Jersey will begin a best-of-3 first-round playoff series next Friday. The higher-seeded Titans will host all three games against the Tomahawks.
The Tomahawks fell into a four-goal deficit before Cullen Emery converted on a power play with 6:30 remaining in the second period to make it 4-1.
“They had a lot of jump early,” Kersner said of the Black Bears. “Coming off three straight losses is a pretty odd spot for Maryland to be in. They needed to get a win to get that bye, and they played hard.”
Maryland’s Evan Sofikitis took Harrison Smith’s pass from behind the net and scored from the slot 12 minutes into the game. Tommy Holtby’s goal at 16:36 set a 2-0 score through one period.
The Black Bears’ Isac Nielsen found the net only 28 seconds into the second period, and Tyler Stern scored at 10:52 to make it 4-0.
“The one to start the second period we defended well,” Kersner said.
“We had an odd-man rush. We mishandled the puck and had a turnover at the blue line that ends up in our net.”
Johnstown’s Emery netted his 18th goal of the season as his shot from in tight caromed off a Black Bear defender’s skate and past goalie Marko Bilic with the Tomahawks skating with a man advantage.
Harrison Smith scored 7 seconds into the final period to quickly thwart any hopes for a Tomahawks miracle finish.
Smith benefited from an odd carom and had an open net because Johnstown netminder Nick Avakyan had been behind the net to play the puck.
“I thought we had good life making 4-1 going into the third,” Kersner said. “We had good energy coming out and then it gets wrapped around and hits a stanchion and ends up in our net. That really deflated us and maybe deflated the crowd.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
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