Connelly Solid in Trenton 2-1 Shootout Win

Published on January 17, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


Reading, PA - Trenton snapped its six game winless streak with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Atlantic Division leading Reading Royals Monday afternoon at Sovereign Center. Shane Connelly stopped 33 of 34 Reading shots and 3 of 5 in the shootout to earn his first win in a Devils uniform. For the second time this season Trenton held an opponent to only one goal, thanks in part to an increase in blocked shots and an impressive effort between the pipes from Connelly.

In the lowest scoring game of the Devils' season (three combined goals), the Devils and Royals skated to a scoreless first period that had Reading with 13 shots and six for Trenton. Connelly made several key stops and allowed the Devils to settle in, becoming more physical as the opening frame wore on.

Trenton broke through with a power play goal 6:46 into the second. With several Devils around the net mouth, Kory Nagy forced the puck past goalie Michael Hutchinson for a 1-0 Trenton lead. Ryan Ginand and Ryan Hayes, reunited as linemates for the first time since the South Carolina series, picked up assists on Nagy's sixth goal of the year. Ginand improves his team-high point total to 40 (15g, 25a). The Devils were more aggressive offensively in the second, firing 13 shots on Hutchinson. The intensity of game picked up as well, with Taylor Vichorek getting the better of former Elmira intimidator Brett Gallant in a fight with five minutes left in the second.

Reading tied the game with a power play goal of its own at 6:53 of the third. Playing in his eighth game with the Royals, Cody Wild picked up his first goal taking a centering feed from Reading's leading scorer Ben Gordon. Reading had two more power play chances in the third, including the final two minutes of regulation, but Connelly and the Devils' PK kept the game tied, 1-1.

Trenton had several chances to win the game in overtime, thanks to two Reading penalties a minute apart. Dave Leaderer and Jordon Southorn both fired pucks off iron during the extra-man chances, but Reading stopped the Devils' power play and eventually forced the shootout.

Jeff Prough, Ryan Ginand and Darcy Zajac beat Hutchinson in the final three rounds of shootout, as Connelly stopped three of Reading's five shooters to secure Trenton's first win since January 1. Trenton closes the first half of the season with a 14-18-1-3 record.

The Devils are next in action Friday against the Wheeling Nailers at 7:35 p.m. at the War Memorial in Johnstown, PA, then hosting the Nailers Saturday in Trenton and Sunday in Atlantic City.

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