September 10, 2022 (Middletown, NJ) – After a commanding 6-0 win for the Generals on Friday night, the Generals and Titans played the second of a two game set on Saturday night at the Middletown Ice Arena. Matthew Nuzzolilo found the back of the net twice including in the overtime period in the 3-2 win.
With the win Northeast stay perfect and improve to 3-0 this season. New Jersey watches their record fall to 0-2 after the opening weekend of NA3HL play.
A loose puck found its way into the back of the Generals net just 46 seconds into the contest. Joey Anastasio took a shot from the point into a heavily crowded net front area. In the mess Antonio Vidal found the puck and slid it into the net scoring the Titans first goal of the season.
No goals were scored for the next 30 minutes of play until Braeden Kennedy tied the game at the 10:41 mark of the second period. While defending a 5 minute penalty kill Michael Arsenault took a shot from the left side of the blue line. Titans goalie Antonio Vaccaro made the initial save, but Kennedy was ready to bang the rebound home for his team leading fourth goal of the season.
Nuzzolilo gave the Gens the lead in the opening stages of the third period 4:49 into the frame. Reed McCarthy skated the puck through the middle of the slot and fed a speeding Nuzzolilo with an area pass into the left side of the offensive zone. The captain took a few steps in and fired a shot into the top left corner of the net moving the score to 2-1.
The Titans answered back about eight minutes later at 12:49. George Hinds took possession of the puck on the left side wall of the Generals zone and skated to the middle of the slot. After a couple of stick handles Hinds fired a shot that found its way to the back of the net tying the game and forcing overtime.
The extra period only lasted 39 seconds before Nolan Zotter found Nuzzolilo cutting towards the net on the other side of the zone. Nuzzolilo received the pass and put the puck behind Vaccaro to end the game.
Ian Kangas (3-0) stopped 36 of 38 shots earning his third win in as many games this season. Vaccaro (0-0-1) faced 60 shots making 57 saves, but suffered the loss.
Next up for the Gens is the home opener at the Village on Friday September 17th against the Long Beach Sharks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Attleboro.
Follow along all season on HockeyTV for game coverage, and follow the Generals on social media @negenerals for updates and more!
