Devils split in Elmira; begin busy February with three games

February 2, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, N.J., -- The Trenton Devils split a pair of games in Elmira this past week with a 5-1 win Friday night and a 6-4 loss Saturday night. The Devils will embark on a busy February that includes a stretch of 12 games in 18 nights. The first three games will occur this weekend, with two home games against the Reading Royals and a trip back to Elmira Sunday afternoon.

DEVILS ROUT JACKALS: The Trenton Devils utilized a three-goal third period en route to a 5-1 win over the Elmira Jackals Friday night. The win was Trenton's fifth in a row over the Jackals. The Devils struck first by capitalizing on a two-man advantage. Matt Cohen ripped a slap shot from the blue line past Michael Teslak to put the Devils on the board at 16:29 of the first. Hard work by Jim Henkel resulted in the Devils' second goal at 14:06 of the second. Henkel attempted a pass across the slot that was blocked by Wes Cunningham, but he dug out the loose puck and caught Teslak leaning out of his crease to earn his 11th goal of the season. The Jackals would then control the first half of the third period, which resulted in a goal from a sharp angle by newcomer Shawn Snider at 6:14. After the Devils killed off a penalty midway through the third, Matt Radoslovich sprung Dan Eves for a breakaway. Eves deked out Teslak before burying a backhand to give the Devils a 3-1 lead at 11:11. Radoslovich and Eves teamed up again 1:32 later, with Radoslovich putting home the pass from Eves for his eighth goal of the season. Trevor Kell put the finishing touches on the win with a shorthanded empty-netter at 14:57, his 13th goal of the campaign. Gerald Coleman made 24 saves for his 15th win of the season, while Radoslovich and Eves each had a goal and an assist. Eric Castonguay and Ryan Gunderson each had two assists for Trenton.

JACKALS FEND OFF DEVILS: The Trenton Devils gave up three goals in the first period and could never gain an edge over the Elmira Jackals as they succumbed to a 6-4 loss Saturday night. The Devils went on the board first as Jeff Prough took advantage of a rebound left by Jackals goaltender Michael Teslak in the corner and was able to fire it in for his 15th goal of the season at 4:51 of the first. The Jackals would then take advantage of the Devils for the rest of the period, scoring three times to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. In the second period, the Jackals continued to dominate with a goal 1:44 into the period. Brandon Roach fired a shot from the blue line that eluded Gerald Coleman for his sixth of the season. Midway through the second, the Devils started to find their legs and peppered shots on Teslak. They were rewarded with a power play goal by Eric Castonguay from a sharp angle at 14:13 to cut the deficit back to two. The Jackals regained their three-goal lead on a power play goal by Moises Gutierrez at 16:42. The Devils answered back late in the period, as Scott Bartlett was able to hammer home a rebound for his first goal since October 30th. The Devils came within a goal 8:08 into the third when enforcer Thomas Harrison knocked in a rebound for his third goal of the season. Roach was able to put the game out of reach for the Jackals with his second goal of the game at 14:42, after the Devils had trouble clearing the puck out of their zone. Ryan Gunderson and Eric Castonguay each had two-point nights for Trenton.

NEW NUMBER, NEW DAN: Dan Eves switched to #18 after wearing #36 going into the All-Star Break. Eves has had a point in each of the four games since switching to the new number. The defensive forward has scored five points (2g, 3a) with a +2 rating since the All-Star Break.

CURSE OF THE SATURDAY NIGHT ROAD GAME: If there's one thing the Devils don't enjoy, it's playing away from Sovereign Bank Arena on Saturday nights. After Saturday's 6-4 loss to Elmira, the Devils have dropped five straight road games on Saturday nights. Their last win under this scenario came on November 15 against the Reading Royals, a 4-1 decision.

QUICK HITS: Saturday's game marked the first time in 15 games that the Devils did not win when they scored four or more goals...Ryan Gunderson is tied for the league lead in power play points (27) and is the sole leader in power play assists (25)...The Devils wrapped up a 10-3-0-0 January, their best in team history.

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, February 6, 7:30 p.m. -- Devils vs. Reading Royals

Saturday, February 7, 7:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. Reading Royals

The Devils look to continue their strong play at home with a pair of contests against the last-place Reading Royals. Trenton leads the season series over Reading, 4-2-0-0. In their last matchup, the Royals took full control over the Devils in a 4-2 win at Sovereign Center on January 17. Since Larry Courville took over as head coach on January 9, the Royals are 5-5-0-0.

Sunday, February 8, 4:05 p.m. -- Devils @ Elmira Jackals

After playing two against the Royals, the Devils make the trip to Elmira to play the Jackals for the 11th time this season. The Devils have a slight advantage in the all-time series, 10-9-0-3. Ryan Gunderson has a goal and 21 assists in 22 career games against Elmira.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, February 3, 2:30 p.m. -- Gear Up for Safety, Lawrenceville, NJ

A Trenton Devils player will visit Little Kids College in Lawrenceville, NJ to teach them the importance of wearing safety gear when playing sports and also show them the protective gear worn when playing hockey. The Gear Up for Safety program is part of the Trenton Devils P.L.A.Y. Program, sponsored by NJEA.

Tuesday, February 3, 4:30 p.m. -- Habitat for Humanity Coat Drop Off, Trenton, NJ

Trenton Devils players will stop by Habitat for Humanity's East Trenton Center to deliver coats and winter accessories that were collected during the Trenton Devils Coat Drive held during January.

Wednesday, February 4, 2:00 p.m. -- Hat Trick for Reading, Levittown, PA

A Trenton Devils player will visit Washington Elementary in Levittown, PA to reward the class that read the most books. The Hat Trick for Reading program is part of the Trenton Devils P.L.A.Y. Program, sponsored by NJEA.

Friday, February 6, 7:30 p.m. -- Scorch's 2nd Annual Mascot Mania/American Heart Association's Wear Red for Women Day at Sovereign Bank Arena

Mascots from around the area will join Scorch in his Mascot Mania Night! Among those scheduled to attend are NJ Devil from the New Jersey Devils, Devil Dawg from the Lowell Devils, SocceRoo from the Philadelphia Kixx, Finley from the Camden Riversharks, Boomer from the Trenton Thunder, Sparkee from the Somerset Patriots, and Ferrous and FeFe from the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs! The mascots will be around the concourse throughout the game and will participate in a broomball game during the first intermission!

The Trenton Devils and American Heart Association are teaming up to ask you to wear red to the game on February 6th for National Wear Red for Women Day, to celebrate women fighting and surviving heart disease and stroke. Proceeds from tickets sold through the American Heart Association will benefit the cause.

Saturday, February 7, 7:00 p.m. -- March of Dimes Night at Sovereign Bank Arena

Support the March of Dimes with specially priced tickets for the Trenton Devils game against the Reading Royals. Net proceeds from the sales will go to the March of Dimes, Trenton area chapter.

Practice/Game Schedule: (subject to change)

Tuesday, February 3 -- Practice at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 4 -- Practice at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, February 5 -- Practice at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 6 -- Pre-game skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Game vs. Reading -- 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 7 -- Pre-game skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Game vs. Reading -- 7:00 p.m.

Travel to Elmira

Sunday, February 8 -- Game @ Elmira -- 4:00 p.m.

Return to Trenton

Monday, February 9 -- Practice at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

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 $7 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.

Along the Boards returns this week! Join Paul Roper with Trenton Devils head coach Rick Kowalsky and Devils players live from the Lawrence Grill at the Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville, NJ. Fans are invited to come out to the show, which starts at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5. The show is streamed online at the Devils' official website, www.trentondevils.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.



ECHL Stories from February 2, 2009


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