JOHNSTOWN —
Hockey nights in Johnstown have been a real hit for the undefeated Trojans.
Johnstown High’s 12-0 start in the Laurel Mountain Hockey League has long-time scholastic hockey fans recalling the Trojans’ glory days of the early 1990s. It might be premature to compare this group with the former WPIHL Class AA state finalist squads of 1990 and 1992, but there’s no doubt that the Trojans skaters have got game.
“It’s a combination of things,” third-year Johnstown head coach Sean McTighe said.
“We have some young guys. We have a handful of seniors. We have a lot of depth. We’ve got two solid lines. We’ve got some depth beyond that as well. We’re solid on defense and the goaltending has improved from last year. It’s a little bit of everything.”
The turnaround has been good for a program that once was among the elite in the WPIHL under former coach Vern Campigotto, himself a popular Johnstown Jets standout in the 1970s. Campy’s teams won the Penguin Cup as best in the West in ‘90 and ‘92 but each time ran into a buzz saw from the East during the Pennsylvania Cup championship. The Trojans program struggled later in the ‘90s and didn’t fare much better in the first decade of the 21st century.
Times have changed.
McTighe, 33, and assistant coaches Tom Rizzo, Justin Fenimore and Frank Ozog have helped Johnstown develop into a top contender in the LMHL.
“This is the third year I’ve coached the team, and every year the players have gotten progressively better,” McTighe said. “You can see the younger guys have gained experience.
“It’s carried over year to year in a positive way.”
Johnstown received a jolt from foreign exchange student Juuso Jomakka of Finland.
Playing on the first line, Jomakka has eight goals, 26 assists and 34 points while skating with linemates Craig Cassick, a senior with 14 goals and 20 points, and Brandon Cheskiewicz, who has 11 goals and 23 points.
“Cassick has really matured over the four years and improved his game every year,” McTighe said. “He’s stepped up in a leadership role.
“Brandon started with us as a freshman on the varsity level and he’s stepped up in key games,” the coach added. “He scored the game-winner against Richland in a 3-2 win and he had the game-winner against Westmont.
“The kid from Finland, Juuso, has come in and for only being here this year, he’s been a playmaker. He has a ton of assists. He’s a true team guy on and off the ice.”
At the high school level, games often are won on the strength of the second line.
Teams with one strong line are dangerous. Having a second unit capable of putting the puck into the net, or even a third line, certainly will elevate a program.
In Johnstown’s case, sophomore Devin Smith and juniors Christopher Ellis and Denzel Sullivan are on the second line and have combined to tally
41 points.
Senior Luke Kmett and sophomore Taylor Sherrif also are in the rotation at forward.
“We have eight guys filling those top six spots at any time,” McTighe said. “It’s more than two lines, which is a big plus for us. We have some younger guys who are in their first year on the varsity. They’re learning quick. Their impact on the varsity is coming. They’re going to be good for us down the road.”
The defense is solid with sophomores Tremaine Pridgen and Derek Mullen, junior Alex Goch and freshman Jordan Lonsinger. Smith also can move to the blue line when needed.
Goaltenders Zach Shearman (8-0-0) and Alec Sherrif
(4-0-0) provide a one-two tandem in net.
“They have done a tremendous job,” McTighe said.
Johnstown passed a big test in a 4-1 victory over Forest Hills on Jan. 3. The Rangers are 7-1-3 and in second place.
The Trojans’ next game is against Somerset at 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday at Planet Ice. Johnstown will hold its senior night on Jan. 22 when Conemaugh Valley visits Cambria County War Memorial Arena. A canned food drive will be held in conjunction with that game.
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