Sports stats

Devils Hold Off Royals In Preseason Finale

October 12, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


Reading, PA, October, 11, 2009 - The Trenton Devils completed their exhibition schedule with a victory over the Reading Royals, 2-1 Sunday evening at the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA. Jeremy Akeson tallied two points, and was named first star of the game, scoring the Devils first goal and assisting on the game winner. Netminder Dave Caruso was the game's second star, making 33 saves, including numerous impressive stops during the Royals eight power plays. The lone Reading score came from Stefano Giliati, a game tying goal during a five-on-three power play late in the first period. Tim Kunes scored the game winner for Trenton early in the third period on a shorthanded two-on-one rush, getting a feed across the slot from Akeson.

The game was marred by 27 penalties, resulting in 11 power plays, a power play goal and a shorthanded goal. Four fights led to eight major penalties, all in the first period, while two misconduct penalties were assessed in the third. The most heavily penalized player was the Devils' Myles Stoesz, who would accumulate 14 penalty minutes. Stoesz was involved in two fights, including one with Gavin Morgan 17 seconds into the first period.

After the early exchange of blows, the teams exchanged fruitless power plays but tempers would flare again midway through the first. Six penalties were called in the span of two seconds. Stoesz got called for roughing and the Royals' Morgan for interference, but the conflict escalated when Scott Langdon stepped in and started a fight with Stoesz. When play resumed, Gord Burnett of the Devils and Scott Fletcher of the Royals wasted no time dropping the gloves. Three minutes later another fight broke out between Trenton's Chris Murray and Reading's Rob LaLonde.

The scoreless tie was broken at 14:45 of the first on a Devils slow developing rush. Akeson took a pass from Trevor Kell and deceived the Royals defense as he stopped on the right wing and then accelerated, unabated from the circle directly toward goalie Beau Erickson. The lefty shooter made a quick move to the backhand in the crease and then used the forehand to flip it past Erickson to give the Devils a 1-0 lead.

Late in the first, penalties finally led to consequences. Tim Kunes was called for a hook at 16:41, Akeson for a slash at 17:47, opening up an extended five-on-three for Reading. With the mass of players to Caruso's right, Nicholas Bilotto passed the puck from the corner to the left wing circle where Dan Steiner quickly fed Giliati on the weak side. Caruso could not slide back to his left in time to block the open net, and Giliati slapped one home to tie the game at 1-1.

The Devils sustained four Reading power plays in the second period without a score. Dave Caruso emerged as one of the games stars during those penalty kills, making several sparkling saves, stopping outside blasts and point blank shots alike.

In the third, the Devils were able to not only kill off two more penalties, they took the lead on a shorthanded breakaway. Akeson started the shorthanded rush down the right side with Tim Kunes to his left. Akeson fed over to Kunes who beat Erickson for his second point of the preseason and a 2-1 Trenton lead at 3:32.

Trenton's success on the penalty kill led to a display of frustration from the Royals later in the third. An interference call against Eric Werner led to a game misconduct to Steiner, plus an additional bench misconduct, all at 6:45. Four more penalties were called in the game, two per side, including a ten-minute misconduct against Burnett. The Devils strong defensive play continued and the shorthanded experience came in handy when the Royals pulled their goalie for the last minute of action. Caruso made one more big save in the last 30 seconds and the Devils held on for a 2-1 victory.

The Devils finish the preseason schedule with two wins in as many games, and continue training camp this week before the regular season begins Saturday. The Devils open at home with a pair of games against the Kalamazoo Wings, October 17 at 7 p.m. and October 18 at 4 p.m.



ECHL Stories from October 12, 2009


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.

Other Recent Trenton Devils Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central