Jamestown Rebels (32-14-5-3, 72pts) vs. New Jersey Titans (27-24-3, 57pts)
at Middletown Ice World Arena in Middletown, NJ
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Broadcast: HockeyTV
What You Need to Know:
Season Series: 6-2-1-1
Leading Scorers:
JMT: 52pts, Frye (28g-24a)
NJT: 53pts, Naumovski (14g-39a)
MARCH MADNESS:
The New Jersey Titans are only ahead of Northeast by eight points and Wilkes-Barre by nine. While the Titans have not clinched a playoff spot yet, it will become even more difficult to do so if they get swept by Jamestown this weekend. The last time these two teams faced one another was two weeks ago which resulted in a Rebels sweep and Niki Jasko recording the first hat trick of the season for the Rebels. Jamestown put up 11 goals in those two games and only allowed two. They are currently on a five-game winning streak against the Titans and have picked up at least a point in the last eight meetings. Jamestown will play the 3rd place team in the East during the 1st round of the Robertson Cup Playoffs. That spot is currently held by the Titans.
CONSISTENCY:
The Titans have only won one of their last five games (1-2-2) whereas the Rebels have only lost two of their last five played (3-1-1). As we inch closer to the playoffs it is important to go into the post-season with momentum and the Titans seem to be struggling in that department. During their previous five games the Titans have allowed 16 goals, the Rebels have allowed half of that through their past five.
DEFENSE WINS GAMES:
Every team that has currently punched their ticket to the playoffs is allowing less than three goals per-game. New Jersey is allowing just over one more goal per-game (3.28) than the Rebels are (2.28). Jamestown is not only allowing the second fewest goals per-game but are also giving up the least amount of shots per-game in the league (25.69). The Rebels are one of five teams to have both goalies ranked in the top-15 overall. Another thing the Rebels do well at is blocking shots. From top to bottom, the Rebels create havoc for the opposition by constantly blocking their shooting lanes, which results in the Rebels gaining position and going the other way with it.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
REBELS (F: #20 – Hunter Johannes)
Since joining the Rebels on Jan. 25th, Johannes has played in 17 games (7g-2a). He is 4th on the team in points with 29 and 5th in goals (13) and assists (16). The American International College commit has six points in his last ten games (4g-2a). He has played the Titans four times and has scored twice. This is Hunter’s last year of junior hockey and is certainly making it a memorable one.
TITANS (F: #22 – Kyle Jeffers)
Jeffers is the 4th most-productive rookie in the NAHL with 45 points (24g-21a). Kyle is also committed to AIC and could very well get paired up with Johannes at the collegiate level. Jeffers is second on his team in points but leads his team in goals. The New Jersey native has played in 112 NAHL games (38g-36a). Not only has Jeffers played the last three seasons for the NAHL Titans but he has also played for the Jr. Titans 16U and 18U teams. In his ten games played against Jamestown he has recorded six points (3g).
