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A Johnstown hockey
team has not played at the Cambria County War Memorial since April 2010. That
changed on September 29, when the newest North American Hockey League team, the
Johnstown Tomahawks, took the ice to much fanfare.
The ownership went all out for the team's introduction.
Pyrotechnics, fire on ice, and, of course, Mario Lemieux dazzled fans and built
on the already growing excitement.
Longtime Johnstown Chiefs season ticket holder Rick Marsh
believes the Tomahawks could improve Johnstown
financially.
"I think the team will help the businesses of Johnstown,"
said Marsh. "When the team left, some business lost money."
Johnstown had
been without the Chiefs for two seasons, although the long-time rivals, the
Wheeling Nailers played 10 games each of those two seasons.
Another fan added that the team will bring back the sports enthusiasm
that was lost when the Chiefs moved to Greenville,
South Carolina. In addition to that, there
were many fans who were taken aback by the way the Tomahawks have marketed
themselves in the community, which as many fans pointed out to me that night,
is where the Chiefs really lacked.
Even Michigan Warriors head coach Moe Mantha was impressed
by the Tomahawks organization and added that the ownership is very strong and
loves the game just like the fans do.
And while the Warriors took the opening contest 3-2 in a
shootout, the fans left the War Memorial knowing that their players were
working their hardest.
Johnstown, on Sunday, September 30, won their first NAHL home game in front of 1,423 fans by the score of four goals to two.
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