Kristofers Krumins had a pair of goals and four different players recorded a goal and an assist as the New Jersey Titans cruised in their preseason opener over the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks on Friday night at the Middletown Sports Complex.
While New Jersey started the game heavily outshooting Danbury, Hat Tricks starting goaltender Ethan Farrow stood tall until the 17:52 mark of the first period when Matt Henry broke the deadlock off a goalmouth scramble, assisted by Dom Rivelli. Kristofers Krumins made it 2-0 just 24 seconds later on a solo effort, but Danbury was able to answer before the intermission to make it 2-1 through 20 minutes of play.
The Titans would soon get back to their scoring ways, with Kai Elkie tapping one home 3:41 into the 2nd period after a dogged effort by Keenan McNeill to restore the two goal lead. Six minutes later, Jake Lindstrom made it 4-1 on a goal assisted by Elkie at the 9:15 mark of the second. Being a preseason game, both coaches utilized the time of the goal to change goalies, with New Jersey’s Zak Brice being replaced by Dylan Krick, and Danbury’s Ethan Farrow replaced by Remi DeSmith. Danbury would again answer the Titans’ offense with under seven minutes remaining in the period to go into the second intermission trailing 4-2.
The Hat Tricks made things interesting scoring just 1:49 into the third to cut New Jersey’s lead to one, but they would not get closer. Third period goals by Dominik Rivelli, Krumins’ second, and Dominik Bartecko took the game out of reach, and the Titans skated away victorious by a final score of 7-3.
With a goal and assist, Rivelli was named the third star, and with an identical stat line, Keenan McNeill was the second. Kristofers Krumins two goal effort was sufficient to garner first star of the game honors, as the fans in Middletown went home happy.
The turnaround will be fast, as both teams will meet for the last time in the preseason on Saturday, August 26th. Faceoff is scheduled for 8:00pm, and discounted tickets for only $5.00 will be available at the door.
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. Season ticket packages will be available soon, in time for the 2023-24 season home opener versus Rochester on September 29th. Follow the New Jersey Titans on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok today!