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Devils fight into the third three times, win one

December 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Trenton Devils found themselves tied going into the third period in three straight games this week, and would ultimately win the last one after dropping two tough one-goal decisions. Trenton hosted rival Reading for two contests, dropping its Wednesday bout by a score of 3-2 before turning the tables and taking a 3-2 victory on Sunday. In between, the Devils traveled to Elmira and battled the North Division-leading Jackals in a tight game they would end up dropping 4-3.

Over the course of the weekend, Trevor Kell would score a hat trick and five goals overall. Ryan Gunderson continued his dominance of the assist category, marking a run of 8 points (1g, 7a) over the course of six games.

The Devils are now 9-15-1 on the season, and are in seventh place in the North Division. Trenton has a quiet week before its post-Christmas slate, playing host to Dayton on Friday.

ROYALS CLAW PAST: The Devils and the Royals squared off in a low-penalty match on Wednesday, finding themselves deadlocked at two before a late tally gave Reading the 3-2 win. Charlie Kronschnabel won the contest with 1:39 left in the game, snapping a wrister from the bottom dot past Dave Caruso. Mark Pandolfo would notch his fourth goal in six games, and Eric Castonguay increased his team-leading goal tally to nine in the contest. Only 14 penalty minutes were assessed to both teams, who seemed destined for overtime until the Royals marker.

JACKALS SQUEAK BY: Trevor Kell notched his first career hat trick, and the Devils' first of the season, but it was ultimately just a bit too little to give the Devils the win in a tough battle against the Elmira Jackals at First Arena. Each of Kell's three goals came within five minutes of an Elmira score, and each equalized the game. But the Devils would be unable to come up with an answer for Bruce Watson's third period tally, falling just short, 4-3. Jason Smith took the loss, but saved 23 shots out of 27 chances. Six different Devils received assists on Kell's goals.

READING DERAILED: Finding themselves tied in the third for the third straight game, the Devils would finally turn the tables and knock off their opponent, defeating Reading with a Trevor Kell tally 10:44 in. Kell opened the scoring with his fourth straight goal for the Devils 1:44 into the first, but Trenton would need Colin Pepperall to tie the game after falling behind the Royals 2-1 in the second. Pepperall's slider came with 15 seconds remaining in the middle frame, and gave Ryan Gunderson the first of two assists on the night. Dave Caruso would earn the win, saving 26 of 28 shots.

QUICK HITS: Trevor Kell has five goals in his past two games... Kell also netted a natural hat trick @ ELM on 12/15/07, and scored four straight goals for the Devils between 12/15/07 and 12/16/07... Each of Kell's goals either tied the game or gave the Devils a lead, including his game-winner on 12/16/07 vs. REA... Ryan Gunderson leads all defensemen in assists with 17; he has eight assists over the past six games... Gunderson is tied for third in the ECHL in defensemen scoring with 19 points (2g, 17a) and leads all rookies in the category... Gunderson, Jay Pemberton, Matt Rogers and Kell all notched multi-point games this week... Matt Rogers has three assists in his past two games... Stephen Wood is tied for the ECHL lead in defensemen power play goals with 6... All three games were decided by one goal; the Devils were tied entering the third in each of them... Trenton is now 4-2-0 against Reading this season... Trenton averages the fewest penalties per game in the league, with 15.44 PIM called per game... The Devils are 7th in the ECHL on the power play, converting 19.2% of their chances.

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, December 21, 7:30pm - Devils vs. Dayton Bombers

Trenton hosts the Bombers in its sole tilt of the week. Dayton returns Chanse Fitzpatrick, who scored five goals in one period against the Devils earlier this season, but subsequently missed time on a suspension. The Devils counter with Ryan Gunderson, who has 4 points (1g, 3a) against the Bombers this season, including the game-winning goal against Dayton the last time these two teams played. This year Trenton is 1-2-0 against the Bombers, but are 38-14-8 all-time.



ECHL Stories from December 17, 2007


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