The Philadelphia Rebels continue their early-season slate with a pair of games against the New Jersey Titans this week, beginning Wednesday afternoon at Middletown Sports Complex before returning home Friday night.
Philadelphia enters the week 0-2-0-0 after dropping both games of its opening-weekend series against the Maryland Black Bears. The Rebels fell 5-1 at home Friday before a 3-0 loss Saturday in Maryland.
New Jersey sits atop the East Division at 2-0-0-0 following a pair of home victories against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. The Titans opened the season with a 4-3 win Friday before scoring eight times in an 8-2 victory Saturday. New Jersey has outscored its opponents 12-5 through two games.
Joe Pocrnic has led the Titans’ early offensive production. Pocrnic recorded two goals and four assists during opening weekend, and his six points are tied for second in the NAHL. Joshua Kitsis has two goals and two assists for four points, while Hayden Saad and Nathan Walsh have each recorded three points.
Special teams could play a significant role in the two-game set. Philadelphia is searching for its first power-play goal after going 0-for-10 through two games. New Jersey has converted two of seven opportunities for a 28.6% success rate, ranking sixth in the NAHL.
The Rebels have killed off 12 of 15 opposing power plays for an 80% penalty-kill rate, while the Titans have killed four of six for a 66.7% rate.
Philadelphia will look to generate more offensively after scoring once through its opening two games. Justin Vlassis has the Rebels’ lone goal of the season, scoring 30 seconds into Friday’s season opener.
The Rebels and Titans open the two-game set Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Middletown Sports Complex. The teams meet Friday again at 7:30 p.m. at Hollydell Ice Arena.