Atlantic City On the Move

January 26, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY – WEEK RECORD: 2-0-0

SEASON RECORD: 28-10-1 2nd NORTHERN

BULLIES REWIND: The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies swept two games at Cincinnati against the Cyclones, 7-3 on Saturday and 4-1 on Sunday, and pulled to within 3 points of the Wheeling Nailers who split a pair of games this weekend for first place in the Northern Division with three games in hand.

Saturday, the Bullies tallied a season-high 5 goals in the first period and defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones 7-3 before 3085 at US Bank Arena. Jim Henkel opened the scoring for the Bullies at 4:16 of the first when he tipped a shot from the blue line past Cyclones goaltender Randy Petruk for a 1-0 lead. That led to a string of 6 goals scored over the next 5:44 seconds. Cincinnati would first counter at 10:51 as Tom Rouleau's drive from the right circle deflected off Bullies goaltender Scott Stirling and trickled into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1. It would take only 23 seconds for the Bullies to re-take the lead as Preston Mizzi's slap shot from the high slot beat Petruk at 11:13. Atlantic City would make it 3-1 1:47 seconds later at 13:00 when Henkel tipped home Josh Prudden's rebound. Cincinnati would storm back at 14:12 as the puck deflected to Rouleau and his shot from the slot sifted its way through traffic and by Stirling to cut the lead to 3-2. This time, Atlantic City needed just 34 seconds to regain their two-goal lead as Aaron Foster's drive from the slot found its way into the back of the net at 14:46 to extend the Bullies advantage to 4-2. Dave Reid capped off the flurry of goals in the first period as he slapped home Jon Cullen's centering feed at 16:35 to give Atlantic City a 5-2 lead heading into the first intermission. Paolini and Luke Curtin registered power play goals at 15:57 of the second period and :59 seconds of the third respectively to finish the scoring for the Bullies. Nick Cammarata tallied his first goal of the season on the power play at 5:28 to make the final 7-3. Shots for the game were even at 32-32. Stirling stopped 29 shots for his 22nd win of the year. The Bullies went 2-4 on the power play.

Sunday, Aaron Foster tallied two first period goals leading the Bullies to a 4- 1 win before 1328 at US Bank Arena. The win was the Bullies 14th in their last 16 games. Foster got the Bullies going in the first period when he tipped home Steve Munn's rebound behind Cyclones goaltender Randy Petruk at 4:59 for a 1-0 lead. Foster gave the Bullies a two-goal advantage as his shot from a sharp angle on the end-line went through Petruk's pads and into the back of the net at 11:05. Luke Curtin made the score 3-0 after slapping a one- time feed from Josh Prudden by Petruk at 17:26 of the second period on the power play. The Cyclones would close to within 2 when Jade Galbarith off the draw win by Tyler Deis slapped the puck over the right shoulder of Bullies goaltender Jake Moreland at 8:20 of the third period. But the Bullies would re-gain their three-goal lead as Sam Paolini capped the scoring with a shot from the blue line that sailed over Petruk at 14:01 to give the Bullies the 4- 1 win. The Bullies out-shot Cincinnati 39-25. Moreland made 24 saves for his 6th win of the year. The Bullies went 1-5 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 Aaron Foster who finished the week with 3 goals and an assist, including both game-winning goals. Honorable mention goes out to defenseman Steve Munn who recorded a pair of assists and was a +6 for the weekend. 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)
1/19/04: Stefan Rivard (4 goals, 1 assist)

FIVE ALIVE: The five goals scored by the Bullies in the first period on Saturday was a season-high and matched the ECHL season-high for goals in the first period. Columbia also recorded 5 first period goals back on January 4 in a 7-0 win at Texas. The ECHL high for goals in a period this season is 6 tallied by Mississippi and Columbus, and ironically both in the second period.

RECORDS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN: The 2003-04 edition of the Boardwalk Bullies are on pace to break several individual, team, and ECHL records. At 28-10-1 with 34 games left, the Bullies are on pace for 52 wins, which would shatter the old record of 44 that has stood since the 1993-94 season, and place the Bullies third all-time in the ECHL for wins in a single season. At this pace, the Bullies will also break the team record for points of 94 set by last year's Kelly Cup Champions. The Bullies are also on their way to breaking the ECHL records for fewest goals against and lowest goals against average in one season. Having given up 72 goals through 39 games, a 1.85 goals against average, the Bullies should challenge the marks of 156 goals against and a 2.17 goals against average set by the Louisiana Ice Gators back in the 2001-02 season. Goaltender Scott Stirling is just two wins away from tying his own franchise record for single-season wins with 24 that he set back in 2001-02, and may also challenge the single season franchise records for appearances, minutes, saves, shutouts, goals against average and save percentage. Stirling is also on a pace for 40 wins, which would break the all-time ECHL single season record for wins by a goaltender of 38 set by Mark Michaud of Hampton Roads back in the 1993-94 season. Ironically, Michaud holds the franchise record for losses in a single year with 24 the following season for Birmingham.

A LOOK BACK: Through 39 games last season, the Bullies were 22-8-9 with 53 points. In game #40, Atlantic City would commence a streak of 11 wins in their next 16 games to take a commanding lead in the Northeast Division.

THE LAW OF CURTIN: The Bullies are 18-0 this season when Luke Curtin scores a goal.

BULLIES SET TO FACE-OFF AGAINST KIDS CANCER: The Bullies will begin their "Face-Off Against Kids Cancer" tomorrow from 4PM-6PM at the Meet-and- Greet Pizza Party at Chuck E. Cheese located at 4215 Black Horse Pike in Mays Landing. Twenty kids from the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware who suffer from early stages of pediatric cancer will pair up with Bullies players over the next two months in a series of social events. "Face-Off Against Kids Cancer" will culminate on Wednesday, March 17 and Friday, March 19 when the Bullies take the ice wearing special commemorative jerseys dedicated to each child. During both games and through March 31, the jerseys will be auctioned off in a special silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Caps For Kids, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing hats signed by athletes and entertainers to kids who lose their hair due to chemotherapy treatments of cancer, and duPont Hospital for Children.

CONGRATULATIONS! Goes out to Scott and Heather Stirling on the birth of their first child this morning. Carolyn Taylor Stirling entered the world at 6:30AM weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Everything was a success and mom and daughter are doing just fine. Congratulations!

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 3 more power play goals last week to run their season total to 42, good for $2,100 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 endure their busiest week of the season with four games in five nights starting Wednesday. Wednesday, the Bullies host the first place Wheeling Nailers at 7:05PM at Boardwalk Hall. Thursday, the Bullies will travel to Trenton for the Titans annual "Kids Day" game at 10:30AM. Following their match-up with the Titans, the Bullies will travel to Johnstown to face-off against the Chiefs at 7:05PM on Friday. The week concludes Sunday when the Bullies return to Boardwak Hall to host the Augusta Lynx in a special matinee 2:05PM start. Catch the games Thursday and Friday live on ESPN Radio 1450AM and all four contests 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 26TH

Monday, January 26: Off Day

Tuesday, January 27: Practice 10:30AM-12PM; "Face-Off Against Kids Cancer" 4PM- 6PM from Chuck E. Cheese (4215 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing)

Wednesday, January 28: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Wheeling 7:05PM

Thursday, January 29: Bullies @ Trenton 10:30AM; Depart for Johnstown, PA

Friday, January 30: Morning Skate 11:15AM; Bullies @ Johnstown 7:05PM

Saturday, January 31: Off Day (TBA)

Sunday, February 1: Bullies vs. Augusta 2:05PM



ECHL Stories from January 26, 2004


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