For the fans who braved the weather last night to watch the game, they noticed that the Rebels are a very good team when they stay out of the penalty box. They also noticed that the team has a host of strong complimentary players that can help them go far in the playoffs: enter Colton McMenamin.
While a great teammate and excellent penalty kill specialist, the Collegeville, PA native had only scored one goal during the season, until last night. McMenamin and his line mates Austin Swingle and Chris Deprez played an outstanding game giving the Rebels a 4 – 1 victory of the New Jersey Titans. It was the Rebels second strait win over the Titans, allowing only one goal during those two games.
After a scoreless first period, the second period was played pretty much like the first period: back and forth. However, McMenamin and his line mates were about to change it. Deprez entered the Titans nearside zone and passed it to the slot where Swingle redirected the pass that New Jersey’s goalie Spencer Wright made the initial save but McMenamin picked up the rebound to put the Rebels up 1 – 0.
With two minutes into the third period, New Jersey’s Joseph Schuler took a charging penalty. The Rebels then took quick advantage of it. Defenseman Brennan Kapcheck passed the puck down low to Michaeul Merulla. Merulla found Ryan Cusin who took a shot beating Wright long side giving the Rebels a 2 – 0 lead.
Playing a very strong defensive game, the Rebels were on the verge of another shut out. But Titan’s forward Roberts Smits had other plans. As Smits entered the zone, he took a shot that beat Rebels goalie Darion Hanson through the five hole. It was goal that Hanson would like to have back. Unfortunately, it ended his string of 110 minutes without giving up a goal.
With the Rebels continuing to drive towards the net, Kristofers Bindulis passed it to McMenamin who found Swingle who redirected McMenamin’s shot putting it passed Wright with six and a half minutes left in the game.
With the game winding down, Dean Balsamo passed it to Andrew Bellant. Bellant took a shoot that hit Wright’s right pad but he couldn’t control the rebound as McMenamin tuck it in give him his second goal of the night and third point of the game.
The win gives the Rebels a 23-14-1 record with 47 points, three points ahead of the Titans. Wright had 24 saves on 28 shots while Hanson had 21 saves on 22 shots. Click here for the box score.
