All-Star First Half

January 19, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY - WEEK RECORD: 2-1-0 SEASON RECORD: 26-10-1 2nd NORTHERN

BULLIES REWIND: The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies took two of three games this past weekend, winning 3-1 on Friday over Trenton and 4-0 on Saturday against Charlotte, but fell at first place Wheeling 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. Entering the All-Star break, the Bullies are 26-10-1 with 43 points, 5 points behind the Nailers with three games in hand.

Friday, Stefan Rivard tallied 2 goals and an assist as the Bullies defeated the Trenton Titans 3-1 before 3867 at Boardwalk Hall. Luke Curtin opened the scoring for the Bullies (25-9-1) at 7:36 of the first period on the power play when he picked up Stefan Rivard's rebound in the high slot and slapped it by Trenton goaltender Andrew Allen for an early 1-0 lead. Trenton (16-14-3) would net the equalizer at 8:10 of the second on the power play as Mathieu Brunelle's shot from the right-wing circle sifted its way through traffic and behind Bullies goaltender Scott Stirling to tie the game 1-1. The Bullies would counter with a pair of late goals from Rivard to end the period. First, Rivard picked up the loose puck in front of Allen and tipped it into the back at 15:00 to give the Bullies a 2-1 advantage. Then with the Bullies on the penalty kill, Ian Walterson moved the puck up the wall to Rivard who came in one-on-one into the zone shorthanded. Rivard fired a shot from the right-wing circle and neatly placed the puck into the back of the net five hole at 18:25 for a 3-1 lead heading into the second intermission. The goal seemed to deflate Trenton, as the Titans weren't able to muster anything in the final period. For the game, the Bullies out-shot Trenton 36-29. Stirling stopped 28 shots for his 21st win of the season. The Bullies went 1-4 on the power play.

Saturday, Jake Moreland held the Charlotte Checkers scoreless as the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies triumphed 4-0 before 3845 at Boardwalk Hall. The Bullies came out of the locker room on fire in the second period quickly scoring on a deflection by Stefan Rivard at 0:18 in the second. Rivard scored his second goal of the game, a power play goal, on a one-time shot from the left-wing circle at 11:08. Josh Prudden tallied his 7th goal of the season at 13:06 assisted by Sam Paolini and Preston Mizzi to bring the score to 3-0 at the end of the second. In the third, Scott Horvath off a turnover blasted the puck past the pads of Checkers goalie Scott Meyer at 16:58 to cap off the scoring. The Bullies out-shot the Checkers 37-20 and went 1-3 on the power play.

Sunday, J.F. Dufour slapped home Drew Fata's centering feed with 25 seconds left in regulation, and Tyler McKay stopped all 26 Bullies shots as the Wheeling Nailers defeated the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 1-0 before 2803 at WesBanco Arena. The loss snaps the Bullies (26-10-1) six-game winning streak and 13-game unbeaten streak in regulation. Wheeling (28-10-2) takes a five-point lead over the Bullies into the All-Star break, but Atlantic City does have three games in hand. The Nailers out-shot the Bullies for the game 38-26. Scott Stirling stopped a season-high 37 shots. The Bullies went 0-3 on the power play.

BULLIES "TOP DAWG" AWARD: Each Monday from now until the end of the season, Public Relations and Broadcasting Manager Dan Weiss will select the Bullies "Top Dawg" for the week. This week's winner is captain Stefan Rivard who tallied back-to-back two-goal games in the Bullies two wins this week. Rivard finished the week with four goals and one assist. Honorable mention goes out to goaltender Jake Moreland who stopped 20 shots in recording his second career shutout on Saturday over Charlotte. Previous winners below include:

10/20/03: Jim Henkel (4 goals, 2 assists)
10/27/03: Luke Curtin (1 goal, 2 assists)
11/3/03: Brian Fahey (0 goals, 5 assists)
11/10/03: Scott Stirling (55 shots, 53 saves)
11/17/03: Matt Hubbauer (1 goal, first professional)
11/24/03: Jon Cullen (2 goals, 3 assists)
12/1/03: Josh Prudden (1 goal, 2 assists)
12/8/03: Luke Curtin (2 goals, 6 assists)
12/15/03: Stefan Rivard (1 goal, 3 assists, 400 Career Points)
12/22/03: Scott Stirling (35 shots, 33 saves, 100 Career Wins)
12/29/03: Luke Curtin (2 goals, 3 assists, OT GW goal)
1/5/04: Brian Fahey (3 goals, GW goal)
1/12/04: Luke Curtin (4 goals, 4 assists)

SNAPPED.were several streaks after the Bullies 1-0 loss yesterday in Wheeling. The Bullies saw their 6-game winning streak halted as well as their 13-game unbeaten streak in regulation. Forward Jon Cullen had his 6-game scoring streak snapped and the Bullies were shutout for the first time in 23 games. Scott Stirling did stop a season-high 37 shots in defeat last night.

HOCKEY AT ITS FINEST: If the Bullies go on to repeat as Kelly Cup Champions, they may look back to their 13-game unbeaten streak in regulation from December 12-January 17 as the turning point of their season. Over those 13 games, the Bullies outscored their opponents 52-17 registering two shutouts and allowing more than 2 goals on just 1 occasion. Special teams were at their best, as the Bullies went 16-60 (26.6%) on the power play and 52-56 (92.8%) on the penalty kill. The Bullies also tallied 5 of their 10 shorthanded goals over this stretch. Individually, Luke Curtin led the way with 11 goals and 22 points while Jon Cullen tallied 8 goals and 21 points. Scott Stirling was 10-0-1 with a 1.45 goals against average and a .950% save percentage.

HOME COOKING: Bullies rookie goaltender Jake Moreland recorded his second shutout in his second home start on Saturday. Moreland shutout the Roanoke Express 3-0 back on October 22 in his first regular-season start and has now stopped all 47 shots he's faced on at home. For the year, Moreland is 5-2 with a 2.03 goals against average and a .931% save percentage.

POWER PLAY FOR UNITED WAY: The Bullies have teamed up with United Way of Atlantic County to sponsor the Power Play for United Way. For every power play goal the Bullies score this season, Trump Plaza, Sands Casino Hotel, Advance Door & Supply, Kline Construction and HR Solutions will donate $10 dollars to United Way of Atlantic County. The Bullies tallied 2 more power play goals last week to run their season total to 39, good for $1,950 dollars towards the Power Play for United Way.

STAY ONLINE WITH THE BULLIES: Follow the Bullies throughout the season by pointing your computer mouse to www.boardwalkbullies.com. You can read game updates, get to know your favorite Bullies, and find out where "Wooly" and the team will be appearing next. Click and score with www.boardwalkbullies.com!

GAME CHANGE: The Bullies would like to remind all fans that the scheduled Saturday, March 20 game vs. Peoria has been moved to Wednesday, February 4 at 7:05PM. Season tickets printed for Game #32 will be valid on February 4.

UP NEXT: The defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champions travel to Cincinnati to battle the Cylones at 7:30PM on Saturday, January 24 and at 3PM on Sunday, January 25. Catch both games live on ESPN Radio 1450AM and on the Surfer Network at www.boardwalkbullies.com beginning with the pre-game show 20 minutes prior to face-off with Dan Weiss.

The Bullies return home to Boardwalk Hall on Wednesday, January 28 at 7:05PM to face-off against the Wheeling Nailers. Every Wednesday home game this season is "Wild Wednesday" sponsored by Coors Light and Molson Canadian. All college students, casino workers, military and service industry personnel get in for just $6 dollars with a valid ID. For more information or to order tickets, call (609) 348-PUCK.

BULLIES SCHEDULE WEEK OF JANUARY 19TH

Monday, January 19: Off Day

Tuesday, January 20: Off Day

Wednesday, January 21: Off Day; ECHL All-Star Game 8:30PM Live From Peoria, IL

Thursday, January 22: Practice 3PM - 4:30PM at Flyers SkateZone (Tentative)

Friday, January 23: Practice 8AM - 9:30AM at Flyers SkateZone; Depart for Cincinnati 10AM

Saturday, January 24: Morning Skate 11:15AM; Bullies @ Cincinnati 7:30PM

Sunday, January 25: Bullies @ Cincinnati 3PM; Return to Atlantic City



ECHL Stories from January 19, 2004


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