Jack Hillier scored the only goal in the shootout, and Zak Brice stopped 31 of 32 shots to power New Jersey to a 2-1 shootout victory over the top ranked Maryland Black Bears, securing the weekend sweep and taking all four points up for grabs.
Brice would stand tall in the first period, turning aside the 14 shots sent his way off Maryland sticks. Both teams would have a pair of power plays, but would head to the locker room in a scoreless tie. The second period would see the Black Bears finally break through, finding the back of the net with 2:06 to go, giving them a 1-0 lead going into the third period. 19 minutes of playing time later, Maryland was still up by one, but with Brice on the bench for the extra attacker, captain Dominick Rivelli tipped in a Matej Teply shot from the blue line to get the Titans on the board with 42.7 remaining. Christian Wood was credited with the other assist on Rivelli’s 8th of the year, scored in his 100th career NAHL game, and proved to be enough to force overtime.
The Titans found themselves in overtime in two of the first three games of the season, but had not played bonus hockey since September 13th against the Minnesota Wilderness. Neither team would connect in the extra frame, bringing New Jersey to their first shootout of the season. Jack Hillier shot first, and his snap shot tickled the twine. It would prove to be the only goal of the shootout, as Zak Brice stopped all three Maryland shooters to secure his 6th win of the season.
With the weekend sweep, New Jersey keeps pace in the crowded East Division. Their record of 12-10-0 currently has them in 4th place, trailing Johnstown by a point, and a point clear of the Northeast Generals. The weekend sweep also sends the Titans into their first off-weekend of the year on a high note. New Jersey will be in action again on the road the day after Thanksgiving, a 7:00pm faceoff away against the Philadelphia Rebels. That game is the front half of another home and home series, and the Titans will skate in Middletown the following night at 7:00pm.