Your Johnstown Tomahawks travel back to Middletown, NJ this weekend to face the Titans for the final time in the regular season on March 23-25 at Middletown Ice World. Johnstown leads the season series 5-4, taking two of three games in their most recent matchup against New Jersey just a few weeks ago.
The Tomahawks currently sit in fifth place in the East Division and are fighting for their playoff lives. After taking two of three games against the Northeast Generals in overtime this past weekend at 1st SUMMIT ARENA, Johnstown now must win out the rest of the regular season to stay alive.
Ben Schmidling had a great weekend against the Generals, tallying two points (one goal and one assist) in three games with his lone goal being the game-winner in overtime Friday night.
Carson Briere also had a good weekend, notching four points (two goals and two assists) in three games. One of his goals was the overtime game-winner Sunday afternoon. He now has six points (three goals and three assists) in his last four games.
Goalie Jack Leavy was strong between the pipes for Johnstown, posting a 1.99 goals against average and a .931 save percentage on the weekend.
The New Jersey Titans have already clinched a playoff spot, currently sitting at second in the East Division with 60 points. They are coming off a 7-6 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights on Saturday night and a 5-3 win against the Philadelphia Rebels on Sunday afternoon.
Titans forwards Tate Singleton (17 goals and 25 assists), Ryan Naumovski (15 goals and 27 assists), and Hunter Alden (10 goals and 32 assists) are all tied for the team lead in points with 42.
Tyler Antonucci leads all New Jersey defensemen in goals, assists, and points (eight goals, 27 assists, and 35 points), which is good for fifth on the team in scoring.
The goalie tandem of Brandon Perrone and Matt Ladd look to get starts this weekend for the Titans.
Perrone has a 14-8-4-2 record in 30 games, a 2.63 goals against average, and a 0.928 save percentage on the season.
In 22 games, Ladd has a 11-8-2-0 record, a 2.66 goals against average, and a 0.906 save percentage.