Ethan Wongus, Ryan Novo, and Johnny McMahon each recorded a goal and an assist as the New Jersey Titans got back into the win column with a 5-2 victory over the Rochester Jr Americans on Friday evening at the Rochester Ice Center.
Things did not start as planned, with the Jr Americans finding the back of the net with a power play goal just 90 seconds into the game. McMahon would draw the Titans level at the 11:15 mark, fighting through two defenders in the neutral zone before lasering a wrist shot high to the glove side to bring New Jersey level. Novo and Christian Wood got the helpers on McMahon’s 4th of the season. The Titans would weather the remainder of the period, with Zak Brice stopping 14 of 15 shots on goal in the frame, to head into the intermission tied at 1.
Rochester again took the lead 6:54 into the second period, but then could not stay out of the penalty box. The Jr Americans amassed 26 penalty minutes in a span of 6:43, and the Titans were able to take advantage. First, captain Dominick Rivelli went bar down on a 5 on 3 power play to tie the game with his 6th of the year, assisted by Dominik Bartecko and Matej Teply. The goal would be reviewed, utilizing the new goal line cameras instituted by the NAHL, but it would stand. Then, as another 5 on 3 expired, Ethan Wongus poked home a rebound off a Bartecko one timer to give New Jersey a lead they would not relinquish. McMahon got the other assist on Wongus’s team leading 8th goal of the season. The Titans outshot Rochester 15 to 8 in the middle frame, heading into the intermission up 3-2.
Ryan Novo struck early in the third for New Jersey to give them some breathing room, potting his 2nd of the year off a broken play in front of the net. Wongus and Ryan Friedman got the assists, and the Titans had the insurance marker they needed. Matt Henry put the game away for good with his first in the NAHL, a seeing eye shot from the blue line, and a memory the Oklahoma native will keep for a while. Rivelli and Brian Robertson had the helpers, and New Jersey would see the remainder of the game out.
With the win, the Titans now trail Rochester by a point for 6th place in the division, improving to 7-8-0 as they cross the quarter mark of the season. New Jersey will meet the Jr Americans again tomorrow, October 21st, with a 7:30pm faceoff in western New York.
The New Jersey Titans, proud members of the North American Hockey League, are entering their ninth season at the Middletown Sports Complex in Middletown, NJ. The 2022 Robertson Cup National Champions, the Titans have made the playoffs in every season since their founding in 2015. Single game tickets are now on sale for the 2023-24 season home opener versus Rochester on September 29th. Season tickets are on sale here, and provide a discounted admission to attend every game at the Middletown Sports Complex. Follow the New Jersey Titans on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok today!