The Jamestown Ironmen fell to the Johnstown Tomahawks, 5-3, in North American Hockey League action Friday night at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.
The two teams traded power-play goals in the first as Ironmen forward Evan Ritt scored his sixth goal of the season unassisted, and the game was knotted up at 1-1 after a period.
Johnstown blanked the Ironmen and rattled off three goals in the second, including a pair of power-play scores to take a commanding 4-1 lead into the final period of regulation.
Article Photos
The Jamestown Ironmen’s Matt Lanzillotti and the Johnstown Tomahawks’ Ian Spencer battle it out during Friday night’s NAHL game at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.
P-J photo by Scott Reagle
Jamestown's Ross Pavek and Dylan Zink netted goals in the third with assists from Kenny Curtis and Nicholas Sierra. The Ironmen effort proved too little, too late as Johnstown (10-6-6) also scored a third- period goal to secure the victory. Jamestown's home loss is the first since opening night on Sept. 21, and comes after winning nine in a row on home ice.
Jamestown was outshot, 34-33, throughout the game and Reid Mimmack took the loss in goal despite making 29 saves.
Jamestown accumulated 31 minutes in the penalty box on 10 infractions, compared to the Tomahawk's nine minutes on three penalties. Johnstown piled up four power-play goals on seven chances while the Ironmen scored one on their only strong-handed opportunity. Despite some criticisms of the officials by the crowd, there was no finger-pointing coming from Ironmen Head Coach, Dan Daikawa after the game.
"In the end, we didn't get the job done," said Daikawa. "It comes down to our penalty kill not being as good as their power play."
Daikawa's players followed suit, putting the blame on themselves and their focus headed into the game.
"After this loss, our guys held each other accountable; they know that it is the way you prepare throughout the week that determines the outcomes of games."
Jamestown's record moves to 16-5-2 on the season, and the hometown team still sits in first place with a three-point lead in the NAHL North division.
The Ironmen will battle with Johnstown again today at 5 p.m. at JSBA and Daikawa sees Friday night's rare home loss as an opportunity.
"Sometimes it's good to be put back in your place; it makes you work even harder and I am confident our team will respond well to it," he said.
NOTES: The Ironmen will be accepting canned goods tonight to benefit St. Susan's Center. Anyone who donates on their way into the game will receive $2 off their ticket.