SEWELL, N.J. —The Philadelphia Rebels host the Danbury Hat Tricks Friday night before traveling to Danbury on Saturday for a pivotal home-and-home series. The Rebels (17-21-8-6, 42 points) enter the weekend after being swept by the New Jersey Titans last weekend, while Danbury (21-18-6-3, 48 points) is riding a three-game winning streak.
Philadelphia has leaned on its veteran forwards this season. Jordan Brothers leads the team with 28 points in 46 games, consistently providing an offensive threat. Abzal Alibek and Billy Sheridan rank second and third on the team in scoring with 22 and 21 points, respectively.
Dylan Moran scored in both games last weekend, giving the Rebels a key offensive spark despite the losses. Moran has given Philadelphia’s offense a critical boost since being acquired from Anchorage midway through the season. In 23 games with the Rebels, the Western Michigan commit has found the back of the net nine times and added six helpers.
Goaltender Ilja Nikitins has been the team’s backbone in net, posting an 11-12 record with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
Danbury counters with a balanced attack led by Kai Elkie (45 points) and Matt Shpungin (32 points). Jon Dukaric has been reliable in net, compiling a 17-9 record with a 2.56 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. The Hat Tricks’ penalty kill ranks 11th in the league at 82.1%, while their power play sits 29th at 15.5%.
The head-to-head series between the Rebels and Hat Tricks has been tightly contested this season, with Danbury winning the first three meetings. However, Philadelphia finally broke through with a 1-0 victory on December 9, marking the team’s first win over the Hat Tricks this season and a milestone for Nikitins. Jordan Brothers scored the game’s lone goal, giving the Rebels the lead in the second period, while Nikitins delivered a 31-save shutout—the first of his NAHL career—to preserve the victory.
Friday’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Hollydell, with Saturday’s rematch starting at 7:00 p.m. in Danbury. Fans can catch all the action on NATV.