Quick Hits: NAHL Game 37 Preview

January 19, 2019 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights News Release

Saturday, January 19-1st Summit Arena @ 7pm

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights (13-20-3, 29pts.)

at

Johnstown Tomahawks (32-5, 64pts.)

Knights look to earn points in three straight.

Freaky Friday

Wilkes-Barre came a goal away from giving the Tomahawks their first loss on home ice since October 5th. The final was a 2-1 decision in overtime. Alex Wilkins netted the game winner on a breakaway. Zak Currie scored the lone Knights tally for his fifth of the year in the second period. Adrian Danchenko was assed a five minute major and a game misconduct for high-sticking. Lincoln Hatten dropped the gloves for a fight.

Yep. A lot happened last night.

All Eyes on East

Tonight, all six NAHL East Division teams will be in action. The Knights and Tomahawks rematch from last night, as do the Jamestown Rebels and New Jersey Titans. Last night, New Jersey won in a shootout, giving both teams points in the standings. The more important matchup for Wilkes-Barre's sake will come when the Northeast Generals visit the Maryland Black Bears for the first of two meetings on the weekend.

The Knights sit two points ahead of Maryland and one point behind the Generals. On Sunday, the Generals and Black Bears will be the only East Division game taking place. With a guaranteed four points (and potentially more) being handed out to both of those teams, the Knights have to win against Johnstown in order to at least have a chance of jumping into the fourth playoff spot before the weekend ends.

Less Formidable Than We Thought

On Friday, the Tomahawks played without their leading scorer, Samuel Solensky. With 22 goals and 62 points, Solensky also leads the NAHL in scoring, and his absence was notable in Friday's game. Without him, the offense of Johnstown seemed out of sync, unable to use their creativity as they've been known for this season. Should they be without the services of their top scorer again, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will be presented with a grand opportunity to take down a team that could realistically be their playoff opponent if they make it come April. Johnstown averages a league-best 4.3 goals per game. The Knights limited them to two on Friday.

For What It's Worth

Johnstown is 23-1 when scoring first this season.

The Tomahawks haven't lost on home ice in 106 days.

Wilkes-Barre has points in three of their last four games, going 2-1-1 in that span.

Knights leading scorer Jacob Badal is the only player for Wilkes-Barre to have scored on all five other teams in the east. He leads the team with 13 goals and 23 points. Badal has two goals against Johnstown this season.

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Statistics

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2019

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Knights Fall in OT for Consecutive Games - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Black Bears Take Down Generals in Overtime - Maryland Black Bears
Stockdale Completes Comeback in 3-2 OT Win - Johnstown Tomahawks
Naumovski, Perrone Shine in TItans Shootout Win over Rebels - New Jersey Titans
Quick Hits: NAHL Game 37 Preview - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
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McCarthy Nets Overtime Game-Winner to Give Pilots 4-3 Victory - Topeka Pilots
IceRays Fall to Brahmas Friday - Corpus Christi IceRays
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