The Northeast Generals return to play the Titans for a two-game series beginning Friday. It will be the Generals second trip to the Middletown Sports Complex in three weeks. Northeast won both games the weekend of January 21 and 22, the first time Northeast ever swept New Jersey in New Jersey. Friday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7:30PM while Saturday’s will be 7:00PM.
This weekend will conclude the Titans seven game homestand (longest of the season). They will return to the Middletown Sports Complex the weekend of March 4 and 5 against the Jamestown Rebels. The Titans then will have ten home games remaining in the season’s final two months (five in March and five in April).
Generals vs. Titans Overview
This will be the fifth and sixth time the teams will be playing each other this season. Northeast has won three of the four prior contests although the Titans have outscored the Generals by a combined margin of 14 – 12.
Four different Northeast players have four total points against the Titans (Jared Scott, Ryan Gordon, Brent Keefer, and David Tolan) while Scott, Gordon, and Keefer each have a pair of goals against New Jersey. The Generals are 4 for 23 (17%) on the powerplay against the Red Buckets while Northeast’s goaltenders have a combined 3.47 goals against average and .909 save percentage with no shutouts.
Tommy Bannister leads the Titans with six total points (all assists) against the Generals while Stephen Willey and Anthony Calafiore have scored three goals respectively against Northeast. The Titans are 5 for 21 (24%) on the powerplay while Titans netminders have a combined 2.72 goals against average and .907 save percentage with no shutouts.
Generals Overview
Northeast is currently in third place in the East Division with a 22-16-0-1 record for 45 points. They are coming off a 6 – 3 home win against the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (the Generals swept Danbury this past Sunday and Monday. They have won four in a row (including two against the Titans), and they have won seven of their last ten games. The Generals have scored 128 goals on the season (14th in the league) while they have allowed 125 (19th in the league). Northeast is 21 for 134 (15.7%) on the powerplay (21st in the league), and they have allowed seven goals while on the man advantage. The Generals are 78% efficient on the penalty kill (23rd in the league), and they have scored three shorthanded goals.
David Andreychuk (14 goals and 23 assists), Paul Minnehan (13 goals and 24 assists) and Keefer (15 goals and 22 assists) each have 37 points to lead the Generals in total points while Keefer has a team high fifteen goals. Andreychuk and Keefer each have five game winning goals. Minnehan has a team high +19 while Matt Boczar has a team high 942 penalty minutes.
Northeast’s goaltenders have a combined 3.04 goals against average and .910 save percentage with one shutout (Carson Limesand).
Titans Overview
The Titans currently lead the East Division with a 26-11-2-0 record for 54 points. They are coming off a 6 – 5 come from behind home victory over the Maryland Black Bears, and they have won seven out of their last 10 games. New Jersey has scored 147 goals on the season (2nd in the league) while they have allowed 115 (13th in the league). The Titans have converted on 18.1% (26 for 114) of their chances on the powerplay (14th in the league), and they have allowed five goals while on the man advantage. The Red Buckets are 83.3% efficient on the penalty kill (10th in the league). The Titans have scored six shorthand goals.
Bannister leads the team with 47 total points (16 goals and 31 assists) and goals (16). Calafiore has a team high six game winning goals. David Posma has a team (and league) best +29. Coleman Nee has a team high 112 penalty minutes.
The Titans goaltenders have a combined 2.87 goals against average and .905 save percentage with one shutout (Andrew Takacs).