The New Jersey Titans split their series at home against the Northeast Generals this weekend, falling 5-2 Friday night before recovering for a 3-1 victory on Saturday as the Titans celebrated Military Appreciation Weekend.
Friday night began with penalties against both teams in the first minute a play, a preview of how the night would play out. The Generals found the back of the net just over 4 minutes into the first period to take a a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Fireworks erupted at the beginning of the second period, with four simultaneous fights breaking out at the beginning of the period. When the penalties were handed out, New Jersey found themselves with four players ejected and on the penalty kill for the next 14 minutes. Northeast’s top in the division power play would put the game out of reach, scoring 4 times on the seemingly never ending power play, taking a 5-0 lead into the third. The Titans would attempt a comeback, with goals from Dominik Bartecko and Logan Renkowski in the first 4:21 of the period to make things interesting, but could manage no more, ultimately losing by a score of 5-2.
With four players and their head coach suspended for Saturday’s game, New Jersey welcomed Ryan Novo and Ethan Wongus back into the lineup after serving a suspension of their own from the previous weekend against New Hampshire. Their inclusion sparked the shorthanded Titans to 17 first period shots, but neither team found the back of the net in the first frame. It was Kai Elkie who put the Titans up for the first time in the weekend with his 5th of the season 2:09 into the second period, assisted by Kristofers Krumins and Ryan Friedman. A Generals goal at 8:49 tied the game, but Bartecko connected for New Jersey on the power play 27 seconds later to restore the lead. Friedman’s empty net goal added some insurance late as the Titans defeated Northeast by a 3-1 score.
With two points on the weekend, the Titans remain a point ahead of the Generals for 5th place in the division with a record of 22-19-3. The teams have split all three weekends against each other, with two more matchups remaining in the season. Up next is a home and home series against the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks, who have defeated New Jersey in their last two meetings. Friday will be an afternoon matinee in Danbury, with a scheduled 3:00pm start, before the teams meet again Saturday night in Middletown at 7:00pm. Tickets are available for Saturday night’s game by following this link.