Last weekend, the New Jersey Titans dropped two out of three home games to the Johnstown Tomahawks. Tonight, they’ll look to regain momentum in the home stretch of the season with two road games against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights.
Playoff race heading down to the wire
Tonight and tomorrow will be the last two road games for the Titans (27-19-9) before they finish the season with three more home games. New Jersey is currently one point ahead of the Knights (28-22-6) for second place in the East Division with one game in hand. Since the Knights have a three-point lead over the Northeast Generals for third place, the Titans-Knights matchup could very well be a preview of an East Division semifinal series in a few weeks.
Titans seek redemption after Johnstown series
New Jersey is coming off a less-than desirable three-game set against the Tomahawks, where they lost the final two games after winning the first one. On Friday, Wade Novak picked up a hat trick in a 5-2 victory.
The following night, the Titans surrendered four goals in the third period of a 7-2 defeat. On Sunday’s rubber match, the Titans erased a two-goal deficit late in the third period, including a shorthanded goal from Tate Singleton with 1:41 left in regulation to even the score. Joe Kile, however, notched the game-winner for the Tomahawks in overtime.
Knights coming off series win vs. Generals
The Knights, meanwhile, have won their last two games over the Northeast Generals, taking two out of three at New England Sports Village. After a 3-1 loss to the Generals on Friday, they bounced back with a 2-1 overtime victory on Saturday and a 4-2 win on Sunday. Tonight and tomorrow will be their final two home games of the regular season.
Players to watch
Tate Singleton has 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists) in his last five games, and has registered at least a point in eight of his last nine games. The Army commit is currently the Titans’ leading scorer with 20 goals and 26 assists this season.
Jack Olmstead is the leading goal scorer for the Knights (23 goals, 28 assists and 51 points) and has notched a point in four of his last five games. In nine games against the Titans this season, the Michigan commit has seven goals and five assists for 12 points.
Puck drop
Tonight’s game will take place in Wilkes-Barre at the Revolution Ice Center. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed on hockeytv.com.