History was made in Lewiston tonight as Dominick Bartecko recorded a goal and an assist to set a franchise record with 63 points in a season as the Titans were victorious in their second straight shootout victory. Zak Brice stopped 41 of 45 shots to record his fourth straight win.
Ryan Novo got New Jersey on the board first when he deflected an Odin Ford shot from the point for his 5th of the season with three minutes to go in the opening frame, sending the Titans into the first intermission with the lead.
Dominick Bartecko continued his torrid scoring pace with a power play goal halfway through the second, picking up a puck behind the net and tucking it inside the near side post for his 24th goal of the season. However, the Nordiques would score twice in the latter half of the period to draw even before entering the third.
Just over a minute into the final regulation stanza, history was made when Bartecko set up Ryan Friedman for a one timer that found the back of the net for Friedman’s 10th of the season. The assist gave Bartecko 63 points this season, surpassing Mitch Machlitt’s franchise record set in the shortened 2019-20 season. The Nordiques would tie it again, until Jack Hillier’s 14th of the season halfway through restored the lead. With the goalie pulled, the Nordiques tied it once more in the final minute of play, forcing overtime.
Five minutes of 3 on 3 hockey would not produce a winner, as Zak Brice made five saves to give his team a chance to win. Ultimately, in the shootout, it was Arhip Sidarovich going to the backhand that provided the game winner, and New Jersey saw their winning streak extend to four games.
Coupled with a Johnstown win, the Titans keep pace as they try to secure home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They will skate in Lewiston, Maine, for the last time in the regular season tomorrow, March 9th at 7:00pm.