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Devils take five out of six points for the week against the South Division

March 9, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, N.J., -- The Trenton Devils rebounded from their four-game losing streak in the previous week to earn five crucial points on the road against South Division teams. The Devils defeated the South Carolina Stingrays and Charlotte Checkers in regulation and lost to the Gwinnett Gladiators in a shootout. The Devils return with a home and home against the Reading Royals Friday and Saturday, and play the Cincinnati Cyclones at home Sunday afternoon.

COLEMAN STINGS SOUTH CAROLINA: In a stark contrast from their last matchup, the goalies put on a show with Gerald Coleman coming out on top for the Trenton Devils in a 2-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays Friday night. The Illinois native made 39 saves for Trenton, including 13 stops in the third period to snap the Devils' four-game losing streak. The Devils struck first with a power play goal, as Justin Coutu ripped a shot from the left point that went past Stingrays goaltender Jonathan Boutin at 14:48. The goal was Coutu's second of the season. In the second period, the Stingrays tied it up with an early goal at 1:55. Bryson Busniuk kept the puck in at the blueline and fired a shot, with the rebound put home by Pierre-Luc O'Brien. The power play helped out the Devils late in the period as they re-gained the lead. Ryan Gunderson blasted a shot from the high slot for his fourth goal of the season at 16:17. Coleman made several saves to make sure the Devils would not give up the lead, including robbing Travis Morin on a one-timer from the right circle while the Devils were shorthanded.

DEVILS LOSE TO GLADIATORS IN SHOOTOUT: The Trenton Devils were able to force overtime against the Gwinnett Gladiators after being down by two goals, but lost via the shootout Saturday night, 5-4. Kevin Cormier broke the ice for the Devils with a goal 1:59 into the game. The enforcer put in his own rebound to record his second goal of the season. The Gladiators then took control for most of the period, scoring three goals on special teams, including two shorthanded. The Devils pulled back within one as time expired in the first. Brad Snetsinger fired a buzzer-beating wrist shot while the Devils were on the power play to pick up his 18th of the season. Gwinnett scored quickly in the second to re-gain their two-goal lead, as Tomas Pospisil knocked in a one-timer pass from Adam Berti 24 seconds into the frame. After several opportunities throughout the period, the Devils finally prevailed at the end of a penalty kill, as Jeff Prough managed to sneak in the puck as a result of a goalmouth scramble for a goal against his former team at 16:52. The Devils would tie the game up while on the two-man advantage, as Jim Henkel deflected an Eric Castonguay shot for his 15th of the season, 5:29 into the third. In overtime, the Devils had a pair of power plays, but could not convert, resulting in the shootout. The Gladiators won the shootout in the fourth round as Tom Zanoski roofed the puck over Dave Caruso to ice the game for Gwinnett.

GUNDERSON THE HERO IN CHARLOTTE: The Trenton Devils returned to fourth place in the ECHL's American Conference, North Division as Ryan Gunderson scored a goal with 3:54 left in regulation to lift the Devils to a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers Sunday afternoon. While the Checkers were called for a delayed penalty, Dan Eves' shot went off the pad of Charlotte goaltender Maxime Daigneault and caromed right to Gunderson, who put in a backhand shot for the deciding goal. Trenton controlled the pace throughout the game, and broke through at the 16:27 mark of the first thanks to some hard work by Brad Snetsinger. The reigning ECHL Rookie of the Month held on to the puck behind the net and dished a pass to Jim Henkel at the side of the crease. Henkel roofed a backhander over the shoulder of Daigneault for his 16th goal of the season. Despite continuing their domination into the second period, the Devils gave up a shorthanded goal to allow the Checkers to tie the game. Michel Leveille completed an odd-man rush with Mike Bayrack to even the score at 8:49. The third period featured more of the same, as the Devils continued to sustain pressure on the Checkers, but could not break through. Gunderson's late goal proved to be the difference in a game that the Devils dominated from start to finish. Gerald Coleman made 30 saves for the Devils including a late stop on a shorthanded breakaway by Bayrack to preserve the win. The Devils outshot the Checkers in the game, 47-31.

BRAD IS NOT BAD: Brad Snetsinger become the second player in Trenton's history to earn the ECHL Rookie of the Month award when he was selected last week for his performances during the month of February. The New Jersey Devils prospect had 19 points (8g, 11a) for the Devils in the month. The highlight of the month came during Scott Bertoli Night on February 21, as the forward notched his first career hat trick and added two assists to pick up the Devils' first five-point game since Colin Pepperall dished out five assists last season against the Elmira Jackals.

QUICK HITS: Ryan Gunderson has points in 13 of his last 15 games, tallying two goals and 13 assists during that span...Sovereign Bank Arena will debut its new scoreboard Friday night when the Devils play the Reading Royals. The new unit replaces the original video board from the arena's opening in 1999...Dave Caruso played his first game as a visitor to the Arena at Gwinnett Center, which is located 25 minutes from his home in Roswell, Georgia. Twenty family members and friends were in attendance to watch Caruso's return to the Trenton Devils on Saturday.

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. -- Devils vs. Reading Royals

Saturday, March 14, 7:05 p.m. -- Devils at Reading Royals

The Devils begin a home-and-home against the Reading Royals Friday night. The Royals, who were the first team in the league to be eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday night, have made numerous changes to their roster since they last played the Devils on February 18. The Devils lead the season series over the Royals, 7-2-1-0. Trevor Kell leads the Devils with 10 points (5g, 5a) in nine games against the Royals.

Sunday, March 15, 4:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

The Devils return home Sunday afternoon to face the Cincinnati Cyclones in the first of four games between the two squads within 11 days. The Cyclones lead the season series, 3-1-0-0. Eric Castonguay leads the Devils with five points (3g, 2a) against the Cyclones.

Practice/Game Schedule: (subject to change)

Tuesday, March 10 -- Day Off

Wednesday, March 11 -- Practice at Grundy Recreation Center, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 12 -- Practice at Grundy Recreation Center, 10:00 a.m.

Friday, March 13 -- Pre-game skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

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

Saturday, March 14 -- Pre-game skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Game @ Reading -- 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 15 -- Game vs. Cincinnati -- 4:00 p.m

Monday, March 16 -- Day Off

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, March 11, 1:30 p.m. -- Face Off for Fitness at Trenton, NJ

Trenton Devils Athletic Trainer Michael Bronstein and a Trenton Devils player will visit the students of Washington School in Trenton, NJ to teach them about the importance of healthy eating and exercise habits. The Face-Off for Fitness is one of the three programs making up the Trenton Devils P.L.A.Y. Program, sponsored by NJEA.

Thursday, March 12, 1:30 p.m. -- Hat Trick for Reading at Cranbury, NJ

A Trenton Devils player will visit Cranbury Elementary in Cranbury, NJ 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, March 13, 7:30 p.m. -- Rally Towel Giveaway at Sovereign Bank Arena

The first 1,500 in attendance for the game against the Reading Royals fans will receive a Trenton Devils rally towel, courtesy of Stark & Stark.

Sunday, March 15, 4:00 p.m. -- 4 for $48 Sunday, Autism Awareness Day, Post-game Autograph Session at Sovereign Bank Arena

Fans can buy 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 small sodas for $48, for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Cyclones. The package must be purchased by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13. The Trenton Devils along with Autism Speaks are teaming up to raise public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society. Proceeds from tickets purchased through Autism Speaks will benefit NJ Shore Walk Now for Autism team, Tiernan's Tigers. For more information on Autism Speaks and purchasing tickets, contact Janice McGreevy at njshorewalk@gmail.com. All fans in attendance will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite T-Devils after the game at the Post-Game Autograph Session, which takes place approximately 30 minutes after the end of the game.

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 on Wednesday! Join Paul Roper with Devils forward Dan Eves 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, March 11. The show is streamed online at the Devils' official website, www.trentondevils.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.



ECHL Stories from March 9, 2009


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