Devils Lose Three Straight To Open Season

Published on October 20, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Trenton Devils began the 2008-09 season with three losses at home. The Johnstown Chiefs, Reading Royals, and Elmira Jackals defeated the Devils over the weekend to put Trenton in a tough position to start the season. The Devils will travel to Wheeling this weekend for a pair of games against the Nailers at WesBanco Arena.

CHIEFS CHOP DEVILS: After shutting out the Chiefs for 52 minutes, goaltender Jeff Frazee met his match in Ryan Garlock, who burned the Devils netminder with two third period goals from right in front of the net that gave the Chiefs a 2-1 season opening victory. The Devils had taken the lead at the 15:50 mark of the second when Chris Poli scored on the power play. Despite taking the loss, Frazee was solid in his Trenton debut, making 23 saves on 25 shots.

TRENTON ROCKED BY ROYALS: As was the case Friday night, the Devils gave up a third period lead on Saturday against the Royals, who scored three goals in the third period. The Devils scored 4:40 into the game on a power play goal by Trevor Kell. Reading would tie it when Brock Hooton scored on a shorthanded breakaway at 15:54. Dylan Quaile then potted his first professional goal with 1:07 left in the first to give the Devils a 2-1 lead. After a scoreless second, Joe Cooper tied it for Reading 3:45 into the final stanza. Dan Rudisuela then got the eventual game-winner when his rebound fluttered past Devils goalie Jason Smith midway through the third. The Royals added an empty-netter to produce the final score of 4-2.

ELMIRA EDGES DEVILS: An evenly contested game through the first two periods, the Jackals turned on the afterburners and dominated the third, outshooting Trenton 10-4 and getting two goals in the final period to take a 3-2 decision. The two teams traded goals in the first, and it would be Kaleb Betts who put Elmira in front with 6:02 left in regulation. Nearly two minutes later, Steve Yetman scored to double the Jackal lead. Chris Poli scored his second of the year on the power play with 1:49 left, but it was too little, too late as the Jackals held on to win.

YOUNG GUN: 19-year-old Dylan Quaile is one of the youngest players in the ECHL, but looked solid in his first three games. He notched an assist in his first professional game on Friday, and followed up on Saturday with his first pro goal.

SECOND NATURE: One positive to take out of the opening weekend is the defense of Trenton in the second period, as the Devils have yet to allow a goal in the middle frame.

QUICK HITS: The Devils have scored power play goals in each of their first three games (3-for-22, 13.6%)...Defenseman Rosario Ruggeri returned to Trenton on loan from Lowell (AHL) Saturday. He joins Jim Henkel for a fourth season in Trenton.

UPCOMING GAMES Saturday, October 25, 7:35 p.m. - Devils @ Wheeling Nailers

Sunday, October 26, 1:35 p.m. - Devils @ Wheeling Nailers

Saturday is the first of 11 meetings against the Nailers this season. Trenton went 5-4-1 against Wheeling last season, including a 3-2-0 record at WesBanco Arena. The Nailers finished the 2007-08 season last place in the American Conference's North Division with a 22-43-3-4 record. Wheeling's offense has exploded in the first two games, with the Nailers winning contests by the scores of 7-5 and 4-2 against Cincinnati and Johnstown, respectively.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, October 22, 3-6 p.m. - Mercer County Business Networking Event, Trenton, NJ

Join the Trenton Devils, members and friends immediately following the Business Expo for this fun networking experience.

Friday, October 24, 5 p.m. - Franklin Elementary School Harvest Dance, Trenton, NJ

Scorch will partake in the fall festivities and entertain the children at the dance.

Practice/Game Schedule:

Tuesday, October 21 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, October 22 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 23 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30 a.m.

Friday, October 24 - Practice @ Grundy Recreation Center - 10:30 a.m.

Depart for Wheeling

Saturday, October 25 - Pre-game skate @ WesBanco Arena - 11:15 a.m.

Game @ Wheeling - 7:35 p.m.

Sunday, October 26 - Game @ Wheeling - 1:35 p.m.

Monday, October 27 - Day off

DEVILS GAME BROADCASTS: Tune in as Paul Roper brings you all of the Devils' hockey action live Saturday and Sunday on 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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