The Titans will travel to Odenton, MD this weekend to play a two-game series against the Maryland Black Bears at the Piney Orchard Arena. This will be New Jersey’s first true away games since very early December when these same teams met for a series in Abingdon, MD. Friday and Saturday games both begin at 6:15 PM. This will the start of a three-game road trip for the Titans (the third game will be played on March 10 against Danbury).
Black Bears and Titans Overview
This weekend’s series will be games nine and ten between the teams with each winning four, although the Titans have outscored the Black Bears by a combined margin of 34 – 26. Each team has a shootout win. Six of the eight games have been played at the Middletown Sports Complex. The last time they met was back on January 8 and 9 with each team winning a game. The Titans won the last game 9 – 2. Jack Ford (2 goals and 1 assist) and Zach Nazzarett (1 goal and 2 assists) each had three points in that contest.
Maryland’s Daniel Colabufo has the most points against the Titans with seven (2 goals and 5 assists) while Jack Brackett has scored the most goals against them (four). The Black Bears are 1 for 17 (6%) on the powerplay although they have scored two shorthanded goals. Maryland’s goaltending has a combined 3.93 goals against average and .889 save percentage against the Titans.
Evan Werner has the most points against Maryland with ten (7 goals and 3 assists) and goals (seven). The Titans are 6 for 31 (18%) on the powerplay against the Black Bears while New Jersey’s netminders have a combined 2.94 goals against average and .912 save percentage.
Black Bears Overview
Maryland is currently in fourth place in the East Division with a 12-14-3-2 record for 29 points (six less than the Titans). They are coming off a 4 – 3 road loss to the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. The Black Bears have lost eight straight games, and they are 1 and 9 in their last ten contests. The Black Bears have scored 87 goals on the season (12th in the league) while they have allowed 101 (16th in the league). Maryland is 9 for 116 (7.8%) on the powerplay (worst in the league). They have four short-handed goals allowed. The Black Bears are 88.5% efficient on the penalty kill (fourth in the league).
Hunter McCoy leads Maryland in total points with twenty-two (10 goals and 12 assists). Luke Mountain leads the team with thirteen goals and game winning goals (three). Sean Kilcullen has a team high +9. Aden Bruich leads the team in penalty minutes with 64.
Maryland’s goaltenders have a combined 3.00 goals against average and .915 save percentage with no shutouts.
Titans Overview
The Titans are currently in third place in the East Division with a 15-11-1-4 for 35 points (10 points behind division leading Maine Nordiques). They are coming off the 4 – 3 home shootout win over the Johnstown Tomahawks. They have won two in a row, and they have won seven of their last ten games. New Jersey has scored 112 goals on the season (fourth in the league) while they have allowed 104 (18th in the league). The Titans have converted on 18.7% (23 for 123) on the powerplay (10th in the league). They have allowed five goals while on the man advantage. The Titans are 83.5% efficient on the penalty kill (tenth in the league).
Werner leads the team with 29 total points (17 goals and 12 assists) and goals (17). Jack Ring and Werner each have two game winning goals. Anthony Mollica and Ford each have a team best +13. Brad Zona has a team high 101 penalty minutes.
The Titans have a combined 3.14 goals against average and .911 save percentage with no shutouts.