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Trenton Titans Week in Review

January 3, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Titans News Release


It was definitely an exciting week in Titans Hockey, if not a successful one, as they went 1-2 for the week against their Atlantic Division rival in Reading. But while the series with the Royals wasn't fruitful for Trenton, one Titan capped off a stellar month with a couple nominations - and a call-up to the AHL - after the week concluded.

Thursday December 27: Reading - 1, TRENTON - 2 (OT)

It was another Reading-Trenton classic, as goalies Philipp Grubauer (REA) and Scott Wedgewood (TRE) were locked up in a beauty. Wedgewood found himself making one spectacular save after another, but the Titans were still down 1-0 with under seven minutes to play.

That's when Ryan Grimshaw finally got one past Grubauer with the help of screens from two Royals and team mate Kory Nagy to tie the game, 1-1.

Trenton got caught for a penalty in the final three minutes against the dangerous Royals, but a short-handed break late in the PP drew a Royals tripping call that carried into the extra frame. Twenty-six seconds into OT, Marcel Noebels' made his only shot of the night count, as his blast from the high slot found the net, sending the Titans' bench and their 3,400 faithful into a frenzy.

Friday December 28: Trenton - 4, READING - 5

Reading wasn't taking any chances in game two of this three-in-three-nights series, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first five minutes. Despite being outshot 17-7, goalie Niko Hovinen (32 saves) held in there until Steven Schultz stemmed the tide with a power play goal in the last two minutes, ripping one past a shaky Sergey Kostenko, who was making his professional debut.

But Kostenko and his Royals' mates settled back in, looking sharp and attacking throughout the second for a 5-1 lead through two.

An Ian Slater goal midway through the third at first seemed to soften the loss a bit for Trenton. Little did anyone in the Sovereign Center realize what would happen next.

Late in a penalty-marred period which saw 122 of the game's 132 PIMs, Trenton ended up with consecutive 4-on-3 chances in the last five minutes and capitalized on both of them to draw closer at 5-4.

Trenton pulled the goalie in the final minute but couldn't manage to tie things up. The Titans lost for the first time in six games and failed to get a point for the first time in eight. Hovinen dropped his first game in three outings.

Saturday December 29: READING - 3, Trenton - 2

It was another outstanding Grubauer-Wedgewood battle, only this time it was Wedgewood who stymied the Royals, shutting them out 2-0 going into the final period.

Schultz did all the damage for Trenton, first by scoring just 16 seconds into the game. Then two minutes later, after a Kelly Zajac steal and shot, put home the rebound for his second goal of the game.

Trenton rode Wedgewood (37 saves) and he held out as long as he could until the Reading pressure - relentless from the second period on - finally broke through. Reading not only managed to tie the game, but took the lead after a nasty wrister by Yanick Tifu ripped into the top left corner for the eventual game-winner with 3:25 left in regulation. The loss ended Wedgewood's three-game winning streak.

Epilogue - Tuesday/Wednesday January 1-2, 2013: A "Noebels" Prize

The month of December couldn't have ended - nor the New Year have started - much better for Titans' rookie forward Marcel Noebels. The 2011 fourth-round pick of the Flyers closed out the month by scoring in 12 of the 14 games played, including eight straight at one point, and finishing with nine goals (4 PPG) and 21 assists. Those numbers ended up making him the ECHL Rookie of the Month for December.

Along with the award, he finished the calendar year leading the Titans in scoring with 30 points (11 G, 19 A). Even with that, 2013 started even better. First, he was called up to the Flyers AHL club in Adirondack for the first time in his career. On top of that, Noebels also became the only Titan selected to the 20th ECHL All Star game to be played in Loveland, Colorado (January 22-23). Not a bad start to the career of the German import.

The (Re)View From Atop Mount Olympus

Relief Effort In The Wake Of Hurricane Sandy: As time passes and the holidays came upon us, it is easy to forget the people who were - and continue to be - effected in the aftermath of Sandy. The Titans are grateful to the members of Titans Nation who provided - and continue to offer - relief supplies for those in need.

The Titans will continue the help their neighbors and will keep delivering donations as they come in. Trenton would like to thank its friends at Justin's Rentals in Trenton, for supplying the transportation needed to deliver those donations. For information on how you can help, please call the Titans' Offices at 609-341-1100.

Time To Go Streaking Again: After winning over Reading December 27th, the Titans had a five-game win streak and seven-game point streak. The last five-game win streak was 3/24-4/2/10. For the last six-game run you have to go back to the 2009-10 season, when Trenton won six straight (2/14-27/10). The last seven-game run of points came at the end of the 2008-09 campaign (3/22-4/4/09).

Royal-ly Short-Handed: Despite their struggles this year with Reading, the Titans have put a stranglehold on the Royals PP of late. Trenton has killed off 36 consecutive Reading PP chances.

Power-ful Scorer: Of Schultz's 12 goals, seven have come on the power play (leads the team).

Still Leader (Of Some) Of The Pack: Though no longer the team's scoring leader, Andy Bohmbach currently leads the team in SHG (3) and GWG (4).

Shorties In Your House: Trenton still leads the ECHL in Road SHG (7). The Titans had 7 SHG (3 road) all of last season.

Upcoming Slate

Friday January 4th (7 pm) and Saturday January 5th (7 pm) at Wheeling Nailers (Series tied 1-1, each team winning at home)

Sunday January 6th (4:05 pm) at Elmira Jackals (TRE is 1-1 in Elmira this year; The series is pretty even too - ELM is 3-2-0-1, TRE is 3-2-1)

The Trenton Titans returned in the 2011-12 hockey season after a five year hiatus and boasted a 26.1% increase in attendance over the previous year, the largest of any team in the (then) 20-team ECHL. For information on promotions, team events or to purchase tickets for the 2012-13 season, call the Titans' offices at 609-341-1100, or go to TrentonTitansHockey.com.

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