Titans start 2017 on winning note | Titans de témiscaming

The Titans were playing their first game of the New Year on Friday evening at the Centre against their regional rivals, the Almaguin Spartans and came away with a 4-1 victory. The Titans dominated all three periods as the Spartans didn’t seem to be ready for this game. Shots on goal were 63-28 in favor of the Titans. With head coach watching the game from the press box, Rusty Rossignol and Bryn Roberts handled the line changes. Adrien Guenette, who was selected Temkin Campers award winner for December opened the scoring in the first with less than 4 minutes to play. In the second period, the Spartans tied the game with a goal. But about 12 minutes later while on a power play Marc-Antoine Arseneau scored to make it 2-1. Only 23 seconds later Larri Vartiainen lit the red light with a nice backhand shot that beat Kristaps Nazarov and it was suddenly 3-1 Titans after 40 minutes of play. Only a single goal was scored in the final period, a Ryder Murray power play goal as Murray moved in from the face-off circle and put the puck in the top of the net. Arseneau was impressive in his debut as he added 2 assists and had at least 12 shots on goal. Larri Vartiainen also chipped in with 2 helpers. Another newcomer, Zacharie Maheu played a strong two way game and his hard work paid off with one assist. Raffaele Izzo made 27 saves for the victory. The 3 stars were Arseneau, Vartiainen and Izzo.

The Titans have the day off on Saturday and will be involved in the 9^th annual Community challenge Cup. This event is a fund raiser for a group on non-profit organizations in the town. Early Sunday morning the Titans will jump on the bus for a road trip to Meaford for a 3pm start against the Knights.