WEEKEND PREVIEW:
Through eight games, the Tomahawks have managed to stay in the thick of things as they sit just one point out of the final playoff spot in the East, despite facing off against the league-leading Maryland Black Bears four times and the 2026 runner-up Minnesota Wilderness once at the Showcase. The Titans have gotten off to a pretty strong start but have yet to face off against a top-11 team in the NAHL standings. The early season struggles seem like they might be slowly working their way out of the Tomahawks game after two strong showdowns with Maryland last weekend despite the two losses. The Titans are coming off a victory in their last game versus the New Hampshire Mountain Kings, while the Tomahawks are looking to snap a two-game skid.
JTN:
Evan Kensey still leads the way for the Tomahawks, registering 10 points (2G, 8A) through his first eight games which is tied for seventh overall in the league and has continued to be one of the brightest spots of the Tomahawks season so far as a returning player who looks to be taking the next step. Returning defenseman Conor Griffin has also continued his stellar offensive output from the backend, where he’s recorded six points (1G, 5A) through eight games – third most on the team. Like Kensey, forward Conner Maione is the only other Hawks’ skater who has averaged a point/game with his five points (2G, 3A) in as many games.
Goaltending
All three Tomahawks goaltenders have gotten at least three appearances so far and each of them also appeared at some point during last weekend’s home stand. Matt Wood is coming off of a stellar outing on Friday night where he turned aside 34 of 37 Black Bear shots.
- Luc Beauparlant – 0-1-1 | .920SV% | 2.94GAA
- Dylan Bourque – 1-1-0 | .867SV% | 3.14GAA
- Matthew Wood – 1-2-1 | .901SV% | 3.14GAA | 1SO
NJT:
The Titans are led by forward Hayden Saad who has recorded 10 points (3G, 7A) through his first nine games played. Heading into the weekend, Saad has been held pointless in his previous two outings and Joe Pocrnic, who is the Titans second leading scorer has also been held off the scoresheet for three straight games now after recording six points through his first six games. New Jersey has brought back nine skaters from their team last season, highlighted by two former Tomahawks in Josh Bostedo and Hudson Slenker. Bostedo appeared in four games for the Tomahawks where he recorded one assist, before being dealt to the Chippewa Steel and appeared in 12 games (2G, 2A). Slenker skated in 10 games for the Tomahawks last season before joining the Titans midway through the season where he began to find an offensive touch, scoring 11 goals and dished out 10 assists for 21 points in 40 games. The 6’5 forward is beginning to pick up where he left off last season, already recording four points (2G, 2A) through nine games.
Goaltending
The Titans have gotten pretty solid goaltending thus far but not to the likes of Maryland, and it seems as though it’s one of the Titans’ weaknesses with their balanced offense. Krcmar comes to New Jersey from Slovakia U20 where he went 11-9-0 with a 2.98GAA and an .884SV%. Bely made one start versus the Tomahawks last season and allowed six goals on 32 shots in a loss.
- Simon Krcmar – 3-1-0 | .894SV% | 2.41GAA
- Andrew Bely – 2-1-2 | .920SV% | 2.55GAA
