Delightful Debut

Published on October 20, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


BULLIES REWIND: The Boardwalk Bullies used an offensive explosion last week in beating the Texas Wildcatters 7-3 on Friday and the Trenton Titans 5-2 on Saturday to open the 2003-04 regular season at 2-0-0.

Friday was truly a memorable night in the brief history of the Bullies. An announced crowd of 5,096 witnessed members of the 2002-03-championship squad receiving their rings and the unveiling of the Kelly Cup Championship banner. The Bullies then fed off the emotion of the crowd as they scored three quick goals to take an early 3-0 lead over the expansion Wildcatters. Jim Henkel (Hazlet, NJ) tallied the first goal of the season at 3:47 of the 1st period when his slap shot from the bottom of the right-wing circle slipped by Texas goaltender Jason Cugnet. Henkel would add a second goal on the power play at 1:59 of the 2nd when he picked up Sam Paolini's (Rochester, NY) rebound in the slot and slapped it by Cugnet to give the Bullies a 2-0 edge. Luke Curtin (Roseville, MN) would make it a 3-0 game in the 2nd when his slap shot beat Cugnet at 5:47. The Wildcatters finally broke through when Steve Lowe netted the first goal in franchise history at 12:42 of the 2nd on the power play to cut the deficit to 3-1. After a Justin Cardwell goal at 15:05 brought Texas to within one, Curtin recorded the eventual game-winner in the final seconds of the period as his blast from the blue line found its way by Cugnet at 19:53 to give the Bullies a 4-2 lead heading into the 3rd period. In the final frame, the floodgates would open as the Bullies netted three goals in the first 10 minutes of the period. Henkel got his second career hat-trick with another power play goal at 2:57 from Paolini and Kirk Furey (Glace Bay, NS). Rookie Pierre-Luc Sleigher (Montreal, PQ) recorded his first professional goal at 6:36 when the puck bounced off his skate and into the back of the net for a 6-2 lead. Jim Leger (Saugus, MA) capped off the scoring for the Bullies at 9:46. For the game, the Bullies out-shot the Wildcatters 41-28. Scott Stirling (Hull, MA) was impressive in net stopping 25 shots for his first win of the season.

Saturday, the Bullies sticks were still blazing as they scored three goals in the first seven minutes to chase Trenton goalie Andrew Allen and beat the Titans 5-2. The Bullies wasted no time as Paolini tallied his first professional goal with a power play strike at 1:07 of the 1st. Exactly 1:07 later, Paolini recorded his second goal of the night also on the power play from Jon Cullen (Alexandria, MN) and Furey for a quick 2-0 lead three minutes into the hockey game. With the Titans then on the power play looking to creep back, Kam White (Chicago, IL) found a streaking Leger coming off the bench. Leger got behind the Titans defense, broke in alone on Allen, and slipped a backhanded shot behind him top shelf at 6:03 for a shorthanded goal and a 3-0 lead. George Bosak replaced Allen after Leger's goal to end his night. The move seemed to spark the Titans as they got two unanswered goal from Bryce Cockburn and Peter Fregoe to get within one at 3-2. However, just 0:30 seconds after Fregoe's tally brought Trenton back into the game, Henkel pounced on Brian Fahey's (Glenview, IL) rebound in the slot and stuffed it behind Bosak at 6:19 of the 2nd to extend the Bullies lead back to two at 4-2. Curtin would seal the game with a late power play goal at 17:04 of the 3rd to give the Bullies a 5-2 win and a 2-0-0 start. Stirling stopped 20 of 22 shots for his second win of the year while the Bullies special teams were impressive as the power play went 3-7 and the penalty kill 6-7 including a shorthanded goal.

HATS OFF TO HENEKL: Center Jim Henkel recorded his second career hat-trick Friday against Texas. His first came last year during his rookie season on 12/11/02 at Greensboro. It was an all around terrific weekend for Henkel who started the season with back-to-back three point games for the first time in his brief professional career. Henkel wakes up this morning tied for second in the ECHL scoring lead behind Keith Anderson of Florida who has 7 points but also has played three games. Henkel's four goals put him atop the ECHL leader board in that category sharing the honor with Brent Kelly of Johnstown.

THE BIG RED MACHINE: Rookie forward Sam Paolini enjoyed a memorable opening weekend with two assists on Friday against Texas and a four-point night (the first for a Bullies player this season) with two goals and two assists Saturday against Trenton. Paolini might have had the advantage of a shorter off-season than any of his fellow rookies as his Cornell club advanced all the way to the 2003 NCAA Frozen Four before falling to New Hampshire and current Bullies teammate Josh Prudden.

ROOKIES OR VETS? Atlantic City's eight true rookies didn't waste any time carving their niche on the ice at Boardwalk Hall as all enjoyed strong professional debuts. Besides Paolini's 6 points, Jon Cullen tallied three assists, Pierre-Luc Sleigher netted his first career goal, and Josh Prudden and Brian Fahey both recorded their first professional points with an assist each. Forwards John Longo and John Sabo, and defenseman Danny Eberly also were impact players opening weekend despite not appearing on the score sheet.

PLENTY OF AMMO IN THE TANK: The Bullies 12 goals over the weekend were their highest output to start a season in franchise history. The 12 goals in consecutive games were the most since March of last season when they scored 13 in back-to-back contests against Reading and Charlotte on the road. The Bullies had not scored 12 goals in consecutive games at home dating back to 3/1/03 when they scored 5 that night at home against Greensboro and 7 the night before against Johnstown.

POWER SURPLUS: Atlantic City's 31.6% power play efficiency is second in the ECHL behind Fresno after opening weekend. The Bullies went 3-7 with the man advantage Saturday against Trenton. They were also one of four teams (Charlotte, Florida, and Las Vegas) to net shorthanded goals this past weekend. Jim Leger who scored the Bullies shorthanded goal, is no stranger to the odd-man rush after he led Johnstown last season with three shorthanded goals.

THE RETURN OF RIVARD: Forward Stefan Rivard practiced with the team this morning and potentially could debut Wednesday at home against Roanoke according to Head Coach Mike Haviland. Rivard will be a game-day decision.

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!

UP NEXT: The defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champions continue their opening four-game homestand this week on Wednesday against the Roanoke Express at 7:05PM, and then close out the homestand Saturday versus the Long Beach Ice Dogs at 7:05PM. Wednesday features the first of 10 "Wild Wednesdays" the Bullies will host this season. Stay tuned for information! Saturday will also mark the first time a former West Coast Hockey League franchise comes to Boardwalk Hall.

BULLIES SCHEDULE WEEK OF OCTOBER 20TH:

Tuesday, October 21: Practice 10:30AM – 12:30PM

Wendesday, October 22: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Roanoke 7:05PM

Thursday, October 23: Practice 10:30AM – 12:30PM

Friday, October 24: Practice 10:30AM – 12:30PM

Saturday October 25: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Long Beach 7:05PM

Sunday October 26: TBA

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ECHL Stories from October 20, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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