The New Jersey Titans will head into the season opener in Danbury against the Jr. Hat Tricks on September 8th with as much momentum as they could muster in the preseason after winning all three games on their schedule.
The Titans began the preseason with a two game set at home in Middletown, NJ, last weekend against Danbury. The first game saw University of Vermont commit Kristofers Krumins score twice, while Dominick Rivelli, Dominik Bartecko, Keenan McNeill, and Matt Henry all recorded a goal and an assist en route to a 7-3 victory. Kai Elkie also found the back of the net. For all but Bartecko, it was their first time in a Titans’ uniform.
New Jersey kept the momentum going the next night, scoring three goals in the first period courtesy of goals from Stephen Kirkpatrick, Ryan Friedman at even strength, and Dominick Rivelli shorthanded. Rivelli, a three year NAHL veteran with Wichita Falls/Oklahoma before spending most of last season in the BCHL with Langley, added the next two goals also shorthanded, giving him a hat trick against the Hat Tricks all while down a man. Arhip Sidarovich, who made his Titans debut last season, potted another in the second period. Rivelli and Jack Hillier scored in the third, and New Jersey skated away with an 8-3 triumph.
The Titans then took to the road for their final preseason game, facing off against their in-state rival Philadelphia Rebels. Last season, the Rebels were the only team in the East Division to have a winning record against the Titans, a fact not lost on New Jersey’s returning players. Despite giving up the first goal of the game, Ryan Novo scored to even things up before the first intermission. Sidarovich would score twice in the second, leading the Titans to a 4-2 win. Summing up the three preseason games, Head Coach Craig Doremus said, “It was a great opportunity for our team to get games under our belts together. As much as we can train, practice, and review video, there’s nothing that compares to the experience of playing against competition. We did some things well, and some things we really need to improve upon. Nevertheless, I was pleased with the effort in all three games and it gives us a base to work from and grow.”
Now, the Titans have one last weekend before the regular season gets underway. New Jersey begins the 2023-24 season on an eight game road trip, with stops in Danbury CT, Blaine MN, and Attleboro, MA before finally skating again on home ice against the expansion Rochester Jr Americans on Friday, September 29th, at 7:30pm. “We are eager to prepare for our regular season series with Danbury,” said Doremus.
The New Jersey Titans, proud members of the North American Hockey League, are entering their ninth season at the Middletown Sports Complex in Middletown, NJ. The 2022 Robertson Cup National Champions, the Titans have made the playoffs in every season since their founding in 2015. Season ticket packages will be available soon, in time for the 2023-24 season home opener versus Rochester on September 29th. Follow the New Jersey Titans on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok today!