In a tight checking game with both teams power play units going zero for the night, the Rebels used old time hockey by jamming the net which pressured Johnstown’s defense and goalie Ryan Glander and allowed the Rebels to score two quick goals in the second period as the visiting team won 3-0, allowing the Rebels to stay one point behind East Division leader New Jersey – who won in a shootout against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The second period was mimicking the first period with no score deep into the middle stanza. Then with 6:54 left in the second, the Rebels continued to pressure. First, Brennan Kapcheck took a shot that was blocked by Glander. Afterwards Jerry Miettuten immediately changed with Kapcheck. Michael Underwood picked up the deep rebound and passed it to his left finding a fast charging Miettuten who blew a shot pass Glander putting the Rebels on the score board. It was Miettuten’s sixth goal on the year. Glander never saw the shot.
Then a minute and five seconds later, defensemen Kristofers Bindulis and Mason Van Tuyl set up Dean Balsamo who light the lamp with his ninetieth goal of the season.
Two goals in a minute an five seconds was all the Rebels needed as the team picked up an insurance, empty net goal from Andrew Bellant with eight seconds left in the game as the Rebels split the two games in Johnstown.
Trevor Micucci was playing in his fourth game out of the last five. He recorded his third shutout on the season stopping all 19 shots he faced. With the win, Micucci is now fourth in the league for best save percentage at .925%. Click here for the box score.
Balsamo, Miettuten, Ryan Cusin, Darion Hanson and Gvido Jansons leave today for the Top Prospects Tournament in Plymouth, MI.
