The Rebels will face off against the New Jersey Titans this weekend in their first of three home and home series this season (the others being November 8 and 9 and the following weekend November 15 and 16). Philadelphia will host the first game on Friday at 7:30PM while Saturday’s game will be held at the Middletown Sports Complex at 7:00PM. It will be the Titans home opener.
Titans vs. Rebels Overview
Last season the Titans won six of the eight games played between the teams, and they outscored the Rebels by a combined score of 31-20. Both of the Rebels victories last season were at home, including an overtime victory back on November 24. New Jersey never converted on their 24 attempts on the powerplay while the Rebels went 7 for 23 (30%). Of this year’s returners, Charles Panchisin led the Rebels in total points with nine (5 goals and 4 assists). Jared Coccimiglio and Panchisin each had five goals to lead the Rebels in scoring against the Titans.
But that was last year. As of this past Sunday, the Titans made a coaching change after nine games into the season. Long time head coach Craig Doremus and assistant coach Bobby DiRico (along with Kyle Shapiro) were relieved of their duties and replaced with Titans hockey operations director George Haviland. Haviland is the Titans patriarch, who founded the organization back in 1999. Doremus and DiRico coached the NAHL Titans beginning with the 2016-17 season.
Titans Overview
The Titans are currently in seventh place in the East Division with a 3-6-0-1 record for seven points. They have won two games in a row, and they are coming off of a 9 – 5 road win over the Danbury Hat Tricks this past Tuesday night. It was Haviland’s first NAHL victory.
The Titans have scored 32 goals (5th in the league), and they have allowed 40 (tied for last in the league). They have converted on 14.89% of the chances on the man advantage (23rdh in the league), and their penalty kill is at 80.9% (26th in the league).
Jack Hillier leads the Titans with nine total points (3 goals and 9 assists) while Ryan Friedman has scored the most goals (four). Two different players have scored a game winning goal. Archer Brown has a team best +4 while Lucas Marshall leads the Titans with 50 penalty minutes.
New Jersey’s goaltenders have a combined 3.56 goals against average and .898 save percentage with no shutouts.
Rebels Overview
The Rebels are currently in sixth place in the East Division with a 4-4-1-0 record for nine points. They are coming off of being swept on the road by the Maryland Black Bears, and they have lost four of their last five games.
Philadelphia has scored 28 goals (tenth in the league), and they have allowed 34 (27th in the league). They have converted on 17.50% of the chances on the man advantage (16th in the league), and their penalty kill is at 78.0% (30th in the league).
Panchisin leads the team with eleven total points (2 goals and 9 assists) while Brayton Frick and Ruslan Jamaldinov each have a team high four goals (both now out with an injury). Four different players (Jamaldinov, Brock Jones, Caesar Bjork and Drew Belleson) each have scored a game winning goal. Jones has a team best +7. Joe Stauber has the most penalty minutes with 33.
Rebels’ goaltenders have a combined 3.71 goals against average and .895 save percentage with no shutouts.
Next weekend the Rebels will host the Hat Tricks.
