Time to Dig Deep
The Rebels are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and they will certainly be looking to turn things around this weekend with a home stand against the Johnstown Tomahawks. The last time these two teams met the Tomahawks swept the Rebels in a weekend series, outscoring them 12-5. The Rebels will hope that playing on their home ice gives them a boost this time around. After their 3rd period collapse to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights this past Saturday, the Rebels now sit at 3rd place in the Eastern division, behind this weekend’s opponents – the Johnstown Tomahawks. Even though Johnstown has 5 games in hand, the Rebels will be looking to come away with 4 points this weekend to start making some ground and begin climbing back towards that first place spot.
Who’s Hot?
Last weekend the story of the Rebels scoring this season continued it’s ongoing trend. Dean Balsamo, Michael Merulla and Kristofers Bindulis each had 2 points, while Ryan Cusin had 4 points during the weekend series. Balsamo and Bindulis have been mainstays on the score sheet this season and the Rebels will surely hope that they continue to stay hot. Merulla and Cusin have been heating up lately and both are averaging a point-per-game. Look for these four to come out flying this weekend to try to light a spark for the Rebels against Johnstown.
Taking a look at the Tomahawks
Last weekend the Tomahawks faced the Eastern division first place New Jersey Titans and came out victorious in the series 2 games to 1. Johnstown now has taken the lead on the Rebels in the standings and sits at 2nd place with 32 points and 5 games in hand. The two players that the Rebels will need to keep a close eye on this weekend will be Andrew Romano and Luke Lynch. Romano currently sees himself with 27 points in 30 games (6G 21A), while Lynch has 27 points in 28 games (13G 14A) – this places them at 6th and 7th in scoring for the entire league. Romano, Lynch, and the Tomahawks will surely be looking to bury the Rebels further down in the standings this weekend, so the Rebels need to be up to the task.
Rough Stuff
The last time the Rebels had a series with the Tomahawks their were 7 fighting majors. These two teams do not like each other and more of the same should be on display this weekend. The Rebels definitely will not be forgetting the sweep that occurred during their last meeting and they will be looking to do everything in their power to reverse that outcome this time around. Emotions will be running high, and the intensity level will be as well.
