The Titans return to the ice today to begin practice after a ten-day break with games resuming next weekend when they travel to play the Maine Nordiques on the road for the first time this season.
After 30 games, the Titans sit atop the North American Hockey League’s East Division with a 24 – 5 – 0 – 1 record for 49 points. This is the second time in franchise history that the Titans have led the East at the midway point (the first time was during the 2015-16 season). However, it is the most points the team has ever recorded at the break (the 2015-16 team had 38 points at 30 games). Although the Titans have the second most wins in the league, they have the league’s best winning percentage at .817.
The Titans dropped their first game of the year to the Springfield Jr. Blues by a score of 3 – 2 at the Blaine Showcase after starting the season 4 – 0. After finishing the Showcase with a 3 – 1 record (the Titans defeated the New Mexico Ice Wolves for their third win of the Showcase and to close it out), the Titans lost 5 – 2 to the Tomahawks in Johnstown. The Titans then went on a ten-game winning streak including their home opener on October 18 by defeating the Nordiques 6 – 1. The ten wins included one overtime and two shootout victories.
Titans Overview
The Titans have won seven of its last ten games, and they are coming off a 6 – 3 road win against the Jamestown Rebels. They have scored 140 goals (most in the league) and have allowed 88 (eleventh in the league). The Titans are second in the league on the power play having converted on 30.7% of their chances while they have prevented the opposition from scoring on the penalty kill 84.4% of the time (eighth best in the league).
Mitch Machlitt leads the team in total points with thirty-nine (18 goals and 21 assists) and goals (18). Michael Outzen has a team best five game winning goals. Cade Penney has a team’s best and +/- with +22 while Brody Medeiros has the most penalty minutes on the team with fifty-eight.
The goaltending tandem of Patrick Pugliese (2.61 GAA and .918 SV%) and Arseni Sergeev (3.22 GAA and .899 SV%) have a combined 2.84 goals against average and .911 save percentage with one shutout (Pugliese).
Peeking ahead
The Titans will be concluding a four-game road stand when they return from next weekend’s series against the Nordiques. The Titans then will play five consecutive home games and play a total of twelve of their next fourteen games at the Middletown Sports Complex upon the return from their first-ever road series against Maine.
Records against divisional teams
4 – 0 against Jamestown Rebels
3 – 3 against Johnstown Tomahawks
4 – 0 against Maine Nordiques
4 – 2 against Maryland Black Bears
2 – 0 against Northeast Generals
4 – 0 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
NCAA Commitments (2019-20 season to date)
Brody Medeirous: Army, DI
Gavin Gulash: Robert Morris, DI
Kyler Head: Robert Morris, DI
Chris Garbe: Middlebury College, DIII