Ryan Wheeler scored the winning goal in overtime on Sunday night to defeat the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights 3-2, completing a weekend sweep in the team’s three-game homestand.
It was his second goal of the season, as it gave the Titans their fourth consecutive victory and improved the team’s record to 7-3-1.
Brandon Perrone, who was recognized as the NAHL East Division star of the week, made 39 saves in the win.
Sunday’s game was also Todd Goehring’s season debut with the team. The Wayside, N.J. native started the year with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, but has now returned for his second season with the Titans.
“I’m proud of our guys and their ability to win three games in three days,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus. “Today was a war of attrition with both teams battling for every inch of ice.”
The Knights (8-3-3) struck first on the power play when Mike Gelatt–a Middletown native–tapped in a rebound past Perrone.
Matthew Cameron evened the score for the Titans with one second remaining in the 1st period. A sharp-angle shot banked off Knights goaltender Christian Stoever and went right to Cameron’s stick in the low slot, as he narrowly beat the clock for his second goal of the season.
Gelatt scored the lone goal of the 2nd period, converting on a Knights five-on-three power play. Curtiss Carlson made a nifty behind-the-back pass to Gelatt, who sat at the top of the crease and tapped the puck in for his second of the night.
The Titans knotted the score yet again midway through the 3rd period, when Nick Boyagian made a couple of toe-drags around the Knights’ defensemen and shoveled a backhander past Stoever to pick up his third goal in as many games. The score remained tied at 2 for the remainder of regulation, making it the second time this season the Titans and Knights have taken a game into overtime.
Just 49 seconds into the OT, Ryan Wheeler made a toe-drag near the blue line, cut in towards goal and sneaked the puck past Stoever for the overtime winner.
Doremus said it wasn’t the best performance from his team, but commended them for finding a way to win.
“We are happy with the results and we look forward to another week of preparation as we get ready to travel to Northeast next weekend,” he said.
The Titans will play two more games against the Generals on Oct. 27 and 28 at the New England Sports Village. All of the action will be streamed on hockeytv.com.