Devils heat up December slate, pick up three points

Published on December 10, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Trenton Devils came up with three out of a possible five points this past week, as Ryan Gunderson led a contingent of Devils skaters with multi-point games in two come-from-behind performances. Kicking off the week's games with a tilt against Elmira, the Devils scored three in the third to force overtime. After losing at Reading, the Devils returned to Sovereign Bank Arena and defeated Dayton in overtime for two big points.

The Devils are now 8-13-1 on the season, and are in seventh place in the North Division. Trenton hosts arch-rival Reading on Wednesday and Sunday, traveling to Elmira in between for a set against the Jackals on Saturday.

JACKALS JUST JUMP BY: The Devils scored four goals for the first time this season, the last of which tied the game and gave Trenton a point after the Jackals won in a shootout, 5-4. Jim Henkel's diving shot found the back of the net with 55 seconds remaining in regulation, silencing a boisterous Elmira crowd. Henkel's shot finished a Devils rally in which they out-scored Elmira 3-1 in the third. Ryan Gunderson and Colin Pepperall both picked up two point games and Jason Smith stopped 32 of 36 shots en route to the shootout.

ROYALS REGAIN THE THRONE: Reading raced out of the gate, scoring three straight goals before Trenton fought back in a game the Royals would win, 5-2. The Devils would not push a puck past Terry Denike until a 5-on-3 power play with four seconds remaining in the second period. Eric Castonguay's strike from the bottom point wove through traffic, giving Gunderson his third point of the week on the assist. Colin Pepperall's first goal in a Trenton uniform made the game tight in the third, but two Reading goals (one with an empty net) would ice the game.

BOMBERS BLOWN BACK: Trenton demolished its previous quickest-goal mark of the season, but would have to come back to defeat Dayton in overtime, 4-3. Mark Pandolfo and Andrew Leach scored in the first five minutes of the game before Dayton responded with three unanswered goals. Trenton would regroup, however, as Pandolfo scored his second goal for the equalizing tally. A scoreless third period would see the teams sent to overtime, where Ryan Gunderson capped off his six point week with the game-winning goal, a hard wrister from the slot 2:03 into the extra frame.

QUICK HITS: Ryan Gunderson set the Trenton season high of six points (1g, 5a) over three games this week... Gunderson is on a three game point streak (1g, 5a)... He also joins Jim Henkel as the second Devil to notch three points in a game this season (1g, 2a 12/8/07 vs. DAY)... The defenseman is now tied for third among defensemen in scoring with 16 points (1g, 15a); leading all rookies in the category... Tony Zancanaro is on a four game point streak, notching five points (2g, 3a)... Jim Henkel also has a four game point streak, picking up five points (1g, 4a) thus far... Colin Pepperall scored his first goal in a Trenton uniform on 12/7/07 @ REA... Pepperall had a three points in two games this week (1g, 2a)... Mark Pandolfo scored two goals Saturday against DAY, including the equalizer... Four Devils had multi-point games against Dayton on 12/8/07... The Devils are 5-5-1 over their past 11 games, winning three contests in overtime... Trenton is tied for 10th in the ECHL on the power play, at 18.7%... Trenton is 5th in the ECHL in overtime, with a record of 3-0-0-1 for 7 points.

UPCOMING GAMES Wednesday, December 12, 7:00pm - Devils vs. Reading Royals

Trenton hosts the Royals in a mid-week matchup, and looks to regain momentum in the series after Reading finally took a game in the set last week. Marc Cavosie has three points (2g, 1a) against the Devils, coming up big after Reading acquired him from Columbia. Trenton counters with Dave Caruso, who's 3-1-0 with a 2.23 GAA and .943 save percentage against the Royals. Trenton leads the season set 3-1-0 and the all-time series 38-21-8.

Saturday, December 15, 7:35pm - Devils @ Elmira Jackals

Elmira has been tough on the Devils this year, especially at home, but Trenton hopes to build off of their come-from-behind shootout loss to the Jackals last Wednesday. Eric Castonguay leads all Devils in goals against Elmira with two, but five different skaters have earned two points against the New York-based team. Trenton trails the season and all-time set 0-2-1.

Sunday, December 16, 4:00pm - Devils vs. Reading Royals

The Devils and Royals turn around quickly to play their sixth game of the season and fourth in Sovereign Bank Arena. Reading is only 10 for 88 on the power play on the road, while Trenton kills off 85.5% of penalties at home, so the Devils are hoping to pounce on the Royals in special teams play. Trenton is 5-3-0 at home against the Royals over the past two years.

Practice/Game Schedule:

Tuesday, December 11 -

Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30am

Wednesday, December 12 -

Pre-Game Skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena- 10:00am

Game vs. Reading - 7:00pm

Travel to Trenton

Thursday, December 13 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30am

Friday, December 14 - Pre-game skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:00am

Travel to Elmira

Saturday, December 15 - Pre-game skate @ First Arena - 11:15am

Game @ Elmira

Travel to Trenton

Sunday, December 16 -

Pre-game skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:00am

Game vs. Reading

Monday, December 17 - Off Day

ALONG THE BOARDS WITH CHRIS HUDSON: Along the Boards will be on hiatus this week, as the team hosts the Reading Royals on Wednesday. The show will return Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00. During the program the Voice of the Devils, Chris Hudson, brings listeners an in-depth view of the Trenton Devils with interviews of coaches and players while recapping the team's past games. Along the Boards is hosted at Alstarz Family Sports Pub in Bordentown, NJ (next to Mastori's) and can be heard live from 7:00 to 8:00pm on WBCB 1490 every Wednesday the team is not playing or traveling.

DEVILS GAME BROADCASTS: Tune in as the Voice of the Devils, Chris Hudson, brings you all of the Devils' hockey action live on WBCB-1490AM Sunday through Thursday and WTSR-91.3 FM on Friday and Saturday. Fans can also watch or listen in on the Devils website, http://www.trentondevils.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Video broadcasts are available for a charge of $6 per game, while audiocasts are free of charge. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

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ECHL Stories from December 10, 2007


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