MIDDLETOWN – Despite a third period comeback attempt, the New Jersey Titans were unable to overcome a three-goal second period by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights en route to a 6-3 loss at Middletown Ice World
The Knights would get on the board first when they forced a 2-on-1 break shorthanded. Stephen Kelly fired a puck past Titans goalie Spencer Wright's five-hole to give Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 1-0 lead.
The second period brought more goals for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as Matt Beranek, Pontus Okerblad and Paul Maust all found the back of the net to increase the Knights lead to 4-0.
However, the Titans would get one past Knights goalie Grant Valentine.
Raymond Brice fought through two Knights defensemen and deflect a pass from Jesse Farabee past Valentine cut the deficit to three goals.
Facing a three-goal hole, Rich McKenna's squad would go to work at chipping away the Knights lead.
Minutes into the third period, Darren Brady threw a wrist shot towards Valentine that deflected off the left post and in. The goal cut the Knights lead to 4-2.
New York native Jesse Farabee made it 4-3 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton when he scored his fifth of the season at the 14:31 mark of the final frame. Brady and Brice registered the lone helpers.
The Knights would capitalize on a vacated net twice in the final stages of the period.
Maust scored his second of the contest off a Garrett Hallford miscue and Tanner Bennett sent a puck to the open net from the slot to seal the 6-3 victory for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Wright stopped 29 of 35 shots while Valentine saved 18 Titans shots on 21 attempts.
New Jersey will travel to Northeastern Pennsylvania to take on the Knights Saturday Oct. 24. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00pm at Revolution Ice Centre.