SEWELL, N.J. — The Philadelphia Rebels hit the road this weekend to face the Johnstown Tomahawks. Both teams are looking to build momentum as the season reaches the mid-point.
Philadelphia enters the contest 8-11-1-3 (20 points), sitting eighth in the East Division, and coming off a 4-3 overtime loss against the New Jersey Titans on Nov. 15.
Charlie Spencer leads Philadelphia with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists), while Alex Lunski (18 points) and Johnny Conlin (17 points) provide consistent scoring. Jordan Brothers (12 points) and Abzal Alibek (12 points) round out the top forwards.
The team has bolstered its defensive depth with the return of defenseman Luke Janviriya. Janviriya, a native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, previously spent parts of the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons with the Rebels. Last season, he appeared in 47 games, recording seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points, leading the team’s defensemen in all three categories. Janviriya opened the 2025–26 season with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars and now brings added experience back to Philadelphia, expected to provide stability and two-way impact on the blue line.
Captain Joe Stauber also returned from injury last weekend. Stauber’s return adds depth and leadership to the defensive corps, along with offensive firepower, as he’s recorded nine points in 16 contests this year. The Rebels have also gotten key contributions this season from veteran defensemen Mikey Conlon, Drew Belleson.
Goaltending has been split between Ilja Nikitins (.912 save percentage, 2.72 GAA) and Ben Varsa (.913 save percentage, 2.95 GAA), giving Philadelphia a chance to win every night.
Johnstown comes in sixth in the East at 11-7-3-0 (25 points) and is riding a three-game win streak.
Offensively, Johnstown is led by Nick Jarmain, who ranks seventh in the NAHL with 27 points, including 16 goals — second-most in the league. Emerson Marshall has added 24 points, while Charlie Zetterkvist (15 points) and defenseman Kalib Capecci (15 points) round out the top scorers.
Goaltending has been handled primarily by Zack Ferris (.902 save percentage) and Nikita Oleksiienko (.931), giving Johnstown a strong duo between the pipes.
Special teams could play a decisive role in this matchup. Johnstown boasts the No. 9-ranked power play at 25.81% and the league’s top penalty kill at 94.37%, allowing just one power-play goal all season. Philadelphia’s struggles on the man advantage and in shorthanded situations will be tested against a Tomahawks team that thrives in special teams situations.
The teams split their early-November series, with each club earning a win in the two-game set. Their most recent matchup came on Nov. 8, when Johnstown defeated Philadelphia 2-1 in the shootout at Hollydell Ice Arena.
With the East Division tightly packed—just six points separate second place from eighth—both teams are set for a pivotal weekend clash. Puck drop is scheduled for this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown.