Courtesy: Richie Todd; Titans Media Staff
MIDDLETOWN, New Jersey.– The New Jersey Titans defeated the Fairbanks Ice Dogs 2-0 on Saturday night to spilt the two game set at the Middletown Sports Complex. The Titans played the Ice Dogs on Friday night, but came up short in a 5-4 loss. Saturday night though, was a different story.
After giving up two early goals to the Ice Dogs on Friday night, the Titans managed to pull off a shutout win over Fairbanks on Saturday night. Brandon Bussi was able to record his second shutout of the season with a number of impressive saves and with the help of his defense that clogged up the shooting lanes all night. Bussi recorded a total of 27 saves but didn’t take all of the credit in the team’s shutout win tonight.
“It was a big win for the boys. It was a huge team effort from the ‘D’, to the forwards blocking shots, so I mean it was big for me, but it was a full team effort,” said Bussi.
Dylan Healey and Kyler Head both played a part in the Titans’ win alongside Bussi’s brilliance in the net. Healey scored a power-play goal in front of the Ice Dogs’ net with 8:50 left on the clock in the second period. The lead would stay at 1-0 for the Titans until newcomer, Head, put on the finishing touches to the Titans’ win with a late third period goal. Head had made his season debut Saturday night with the Titans after playing most of his season for the Northern Cyclones 18U team in the NAPHL. Head made his call up debut a memorable one by having his first goal be an important one for his new team.
“It felt really good. Just everyone cheering you on and going through the bench first, it was a really good feeling,” said Head, in regards to his first goal as a Titan.
Titans head coach Craig Doremus was happy to take two points from the Ice Dogs. Doreumus made note of the importance of his team’s win at home tonight, as the Titans sit just four points behind the Aston Rebels for first place of the East Division.
“We know we’re in a dogfight here in the East Division and Aston set the bar relatively high and Johnstown and the Wilkes-Barre Knights have been playing great hockey. So it’s important that we know the premium on the points, especially at home, and this was a big a bounce back win for our group,” said Doremus.
The Titans are now 3-1 on the season against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The Titans will end their homestand with two games against the Kenai River Brown Bears on Friday, December 16 at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Middletown Sports Complex. Information about the Titans home games can also be reached at (732) 856-9700. For further information about game updates and more, follow the Titans on Twitter at @NAHLTitans or visit njtitansnahl.com!