Bullies Close Out Regular Season With A 3-2 Win Over Chiefs

April 9, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


Johnstown, PA – Captain Ian Walterson tallied the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal early in the third period and goaltender Jeff Weber in his first professional start stopped 25 shots to lead the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies to a 3-2 victory over the Johnstown Chiefs before 2442 at the Cambria County War Memorial in ECHL action Saturday. Despite the win, the Bullies finish as the third seed in the North Division and will travel to Trenton at 7PM Wednesday to battle the Titans in Game 1 of the 2005 North Division Semifinals

Shawn Mather opened the scoring for Atlantic City (42-22-8) at 13:57 of the first period when he stripped Johnstown's David Bowman of the puck in front of the Chiefs net and stuffed it through the pads of Johnstown goalie Mark Scally for a 1-0 lead. Mather extended the lead to 2-0 when he beat Scally with a wrist shot from the left-wing off a terrific pass from J-F Plourde in the slot at 19:01.

Johnstown (22-36-14) countered with a pair of goals in the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Peter Trovato collected Ian Manzano's rebound in the slot and tipped the puck past Weber 40 seconds into the period to cut the Bullies lead to 2-1. Johnstown netted the equalizer at 19:14 when Matt Reid beat Weber from the right-wing circle with a slap shot over the blocker to tie the game at 2-2.

Walterson netted the game-winner on a power play goal at 1:39 of the third period. Walterson collected Geoff Platt's rebound in the slot and tucked it through the pads of Scally that would give the Bullies a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

Atlantic City out-shot Johnstown 28-27. Weber improved to 2-0 on the season. The Bullies went 1-3 on the power play.

New Jersey's ECHL rivalry will continue on next week when the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies and the Trenton Titans meet in Game 1 of the best-of-five North Division Semifinals of the 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs beginning at 7PM Wednesday at Sovereign Bank Arena. Catch all the action live on ESPN Radio 1450 and the SurferNetwork beginning with "Bullies Countdown" at 6:40PM.

The Bullies return to Historic Boardwalk Hall to host Game 3 at 4:05PM on Sunday and, if necessary, Game 4 at 7:05PM on Tuesday, April 19.

The entire first round playoff schedule will be released tomorrow. Stay tuned to the Bullies website at www.boardwalkbullies.com for complete information. Atlantic City is 6-0 lifetime in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs against Trenton.

Got your Kelly Cup Playoff tickets? 14-game playoff packages are now available by contacting your Bullies Customer Service Representative at (609) 348-7825. Call now to reserve the same great seats for every Bullies home playoff game. Individual playoff tickets will also be available for purchase by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or by visiting the Boardwalk Hall Box Office Monday through Friday from 11AM-5PM.



ECHL Stories from April 9, 2005


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