A shorthanded Titans squad avenged last night’s loss to the Northeast Generals by a score of 3-1 on Saturday night at the Middletown Sports Complex, wearing their specialty Military Appreciation uniforms for the last time this season. The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the New Jersey National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Group in honor of Middletown resident Gia Mazza. Bids may be placed on individual uniforms by following this link.
With four players and their head coach serving a suspension, the Titans entered Saturday night’s game with a short bench. However, New Jersey seemed to feed off the disadvantage, outshooting the Generals 17-7 and skating into the first intermission without either team scoring. Kai Elkie would break the deadlock 2:09 into the second period, knocking home a rebound from a Kristofers Krumins shot off an offensive zone faceoff win by Ryan Friedman for his 5th of the season. The Generals would get one back minutes later, but Titans answered back just 27 seconds later, when Dominik Bartecko went coast to coast and snapped a shot low to the blocker side to give New Jersey a lead they would not relinquish. Jack Hillier had the lone assist on the Titans leading scorer’s 17th of the season. Despite getting three more power plays in the period, including 1:26 of a 5 on 3, the Titans went into the second intermission only up 2-1.
The Generals came out fast for the third, but Dylan Krick stood tall in goal for New Jersey. He was eventually rewarded by picking up an assist in the final minute, when his stick save ultimately led to an empty net goal by Ryan Friedman with 22.1 seconds to go. Lucas Marshall picked up his second assist as a Titan on Friedman’s 8th of the season, and New Jersey earned a weekend split against their rivals.
With the win, the Titans again have sole position of 5th place with a record of 22-19-3, good for 47 points, one more than Northeast. New Jersey will now look forward to a weekend home and home series against Danbury, with Friday’s game in the Hat City and Saturday’s game on Saturday in Middletown.