After ten games on the road to start the 2019-20 season, the New Jersey Titans finally will have their home opening weekend this weekend at Middletown Sports Complex as they face off against the expansion Maine Nordiques. This will be the first time these two teams have ever played each other.
The first game will be held on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 PM while the second game will be played on Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 PM.
The Titans, unfortunately, have dropped every home opener in the team’s four-year existence by a combined score of 17 – 10.
Nordiques Overview
Maine enters this weekend in fifth place in the East Division with a 6 – 5 record for 12 points, four points behind division leading New Jersey. The Nordiques are 5 – 5 in their past ten games, and they are coming off of a 5 – 2 home win against the Jamestown Rebels.
The Nordiques have scored 40 goals (6th best in the league) while they have allowed 36 (19th most in the league). They are eighth in the league on the powerplay (23.6%) while they are tenth in the league on the penalty kill (84.8%).
Maine is led by Noah Kane’s 15 points (5 goals and 10 assists). Kane and Makem Demers each have five goals. Demers also leads the team with three game winning goals. Kevin Pitts has the best +/- with a +6. Isaiah Fox leads the team and league in penalty minutes with 79.
The Nordiques have a combined 3.05 goals against average and .901 save percentage.
Titans Overview
New Jersey enters its home opening weekend in first place in the East Division with an 8 – 2 record for 16 points, which is tied for third most in the league. Although coming off a bye week, the Titans won their last game 4 – 3 in a shootout against the Northeast Generals at the New England Sports Village.
The Titans have scored 46 goals (most in the NAHL) while they have allowed 32 (13th in the league). They are fourth in the league on the powerplay (31.7%) and sixth in the league on the penalty kill (90.0%).
Mitch Machlitt leads the team in total points with 16 (4 goals and 12 assists). Kyler Head has scored the most goals with seven while Kyle Jeffers has the most assists with nine. Jeffers also has the most game winning goals with two. Machlitt has the team’s best +/- with a +9 while Brody Medeiros leads the team in penalty minutes with twenty-three.
The goaltending tandem of Patrick Pugleise and Arseni Sergeev have a combined 3.05 goals against average and .902 save percentage with zero shutouts.
This Weekend’s Promotions
Fans will receive a FREE 2019-20 magnetic schedule at both games. Friday night will be $1 hot dog night. Saturday night each person will receive a free laser tag coupon ($7 value) at Middletown Sports Complex, and there will be Skate Night with the Titans immediately following Saturday night’s game. Tichets can be purchased at the door.