The New Jersey Titans will ring in the 2024 calendar year with their last regular season road trip to Western Pennsylvania when they face the Johnstown Tomahawks this weekend. Making their second trip to the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial, the Titans split their first visit on the weekend of October 13th. The first game saw a pair of Nikita Meshcheryakov goals sandwiched by tallies from Reece Brednich and Ethan Wongus as the Titans won 4-2. Despite another two goals from Meshcheryakov the following night, New Jersey fell by a 6-4 score.
In four games against the Tomahawks so far this season, both teams are 2-2-0, and the Titans have a +1 goal differential. The teams are close in the standings as well, with the Titans trailing the Tomahawks by a single point, but with a game in hand. Up front, the Tomahawks are led captain Zach Aben. The Pennsylvanian has recorded a team leading 12 goals along with 16 assists. Zach Ferris and Jacob Osbourne have split time in the Johnstown crease, with Osbourne holding a better overall record of 14-4-1, but Ferris having better individual stats with a .927 save percentage and 2.21 goals against average.
As the calendar turns, Dominik Bartecko remains atop the Titans scoring leaderboard. The Mercyhurst commit’s 11 goals is tied for first on the team, and his 19 assists is one better than defenseman Matej Teply. Ethan Wongus, Nikita Meshcheryakov, and captain Dominick Rivelli also have recorded 11 goals this season.
The weekend’s games are scheduled for Friday, January 4th, at 7:30pm and Saturday, January 5th, at 7:00pm. Both games will be available to watch on NAHLtv, and be sure to select the away broadcast option to hear Zak McGinniss bring you all the action.