MIDDLETOWN, NJ- On Friday night, the Philadelphia Rebels (14-16-1-1, 30 pts) and the New Jersey Titans (20-12-1-1, 42 pts) met in their first of two games this weekend. Both teams came into this weekend as the hottest teams in the East Division.
With 35 seconds remaining in the second period, Connor Sedlak delivered for the Rebels on a two-on-one and gave the team a 2-1 lead. Sedlak elected to shoot and fit a wrister through the legs of Marino Rameriz to end the second.
The Rebels would go on to win 3-2, but the goal by Sedlak gave the Rebels a positive momentum-shift going into the final frame.
Philadelphia came out strong to start the game. Just over two minutes into the game Klaus Jogi delivered the opening goal off a pass from Jared Kaplowitz to give the Rebels an early 1-0 lead. New Jersey was held scoreless in the first and they were unable to gather any rhythm.
The Titans’ offense put more pressure on goaltender Jakub Krbecek in the second period. Just over a minute into the second, Brian Robertson scored to tie the game at one. The remaining 18 minutes of the period were played without a lot of space for either offense until Sedlak’s go-ahead tally with 33 seconds left.
Greg Spitznagel added an insurance goal in the third period to extend the Rebels’ lead to 3-1. The goal was his 20th point of the season thus far.
New Jersey scored to cut the Philadelphia lead to one with six minutes to play, but the Titans could not score another as the Rebels came away with a win in North Jersey.
Krbecek kept a threatening New Jersey offense at bay, recording 45 saves in the win and making multiple point-blank saves.
This was the Titans’ first regulation loss since October and the Rebels ended the Titans’ six-game win streak. The Rebels have now won nine of their last 12 games.
The Rebels will look to stay hot as they head back down the New Jersey Turnpike for a home game at Hollydell Ice Arena tomorrow night to wrap up their home-and-home with the Titans at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen live on HockeyTV. Admission is free for all fans.
