The Johnstown Tomahawks will travel to the Middletown Sports Complex this weekend as the Titans will host their rival from Western Pennsylvania for a two-game series. Friday night’s game begins at 7:30 PM while Saturday’s starts at 7:00 PM
Tomahawks and Titans Preview
This will be the fourth and fifth time this season that the two teams have met, with Johnstown winning all three prior games by a combine score of 10 – 5. The first two games were played at the 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial and the last game was at Middletown back of November 29 when the Tomahawks won 3 – 2 in a shootout.
John Gelatt (2 goals and 1 assist), Anthony Mastromonica (1 goal and 2 assists) and Jay Ahearn (1 goal and 2 assists) each have three points against the Titans. Gelatt has scored the most goals against New Jersey with two. Johnstown is 2 for 9 (22%) on the power play. Johnstown’s goaltenders have a combined 1.62 goals against average and .929 save percentage.
Jake LaRusso (2 goals and 1 assist) and Levente Keresztes (1 goal and 2 assists) each have three points against the Tomahawks. The Titans are 2 for 7 (29%) on the power play. Goaltenders Berk Berkeliev and Loudon Hogg have a combined 2.92 goals against average and .931 save percentage.
Tomahawks Overview
Johnstown is currently in second place in the East Division with a 10-3-2-1 record for 23 points (four behind division leading Maine Nordiques). They are coming off a 6 – 0 home win against the Northeast Generals, and they have won seven of their last ten games. The Tomahawks have scored 64 goals on the season (fourth in the league) while they have allowed 42 (ninth in the league). Johnstown is 9 for 62 (14.5%) on the powerplay (17th in the league). They have allowed six goals while on the man advantage. The Tomahawks are 79.2% efficient on the penalty kill (17th in the league).
Gelett (14 goals and 10 assists) leads the team in total points with 24, and he also has scored the most goals (14) and game winning goals (4). He also has a team high +16. Max Neill leads the team in penalty minutes with 40.
Johnstown’s goaltenders have a combined 2.52 goals against average and .908 save percentage with two shutouts (Sam Evola).
Titans Overview
The Titans are currently in fourth place in the East Division with a 6-7-1-4 for 17 points. They are coming off the 9 – 2 home win over the Maryland Black Bears, and they are 5 – 5 in their last ten games. New Jersey has scored 69 goals on the season (sixth in the league) while they have allowed 61 (20th in the league). The Titans have converted on 16.7% (11 for 66) on the powerplay (15th in the league). They have allowed four goals while on the man advantage. The Titans are 85.7% efficient on the penalty kill (ninth in the league).
Evan Werner leads the team with 18 total points (12 goals and 6 assists) and goals (12). Anthony Mollica has a team best of +9. David Posma has a team high 39 penalty minutes.
Berkeliev and Hogg have a combined 3.04 goals against average and .910 save percentage with no shutouts.