Johnstown steals late goal to secure win against Elmira

JOHNSTOWN, P.A. – The Elmira Aviators (18-28-3-1) were narrowly edged by the Johnstown Tomahawks (26-20-3-1) 4-3 Friday night.

The Avaitors got caught battling from behind, trailing 3-1 in the second period, but Elmira shined brightest in the middle frame.

Former Tomahawk scored a sweet bar-in finish off the heels of some great forechecking from Gavin Duckworth. Sakala scored one goal in 18 games with Johnstown. With Elmira, Sakala has scored five in just 13 games.

Just 67 seconds later, roommates Jude Hunt and Jack Kohlmann combined to tie it up at three.

The Aviators did a great job throwing the body following the goal. Andrew Horn had an outstanding hit, knocking off a Johnstown player’s helmet in the process.

The Aviators’ momentum faltered with a period late in the second period that carried into the third. Elmira killed that penalty off, leading into a tight-checking final frame.

The shots in the period were even at ten a piece and as the minutes winded down, the tilt turned into a next-goal-wins type of game. The Tomahawks would find that tally with captain Dylan Shane burying the game winner with 1:13 play in the game.

The Aviators did not have enough time to respond and ended up falling 4-3 to the Tomahawks. Elmira will go for the series split Saturday at 7 p.m. back inside 1st Summit Arena.

The Aviators have split their last two series, with the wins coming in the Saturday game. The game can be streamed live on NATV or listened to on Big Foot Country Legends.

Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].