Devils Take One Of Two Games In Wheeling

October 27, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ -- The Trenton Devils split a pair of games on the road against the Wheeling Nailers. The Devils won Saturday night in the shootout 5-4 before losing the following afternoon by the score of 5-3. Trenton will play three games this week against Johnstown, at Elmira and back at home against Idaho.

DEVILS EARN FIRST WIN: The Devils earned their first win of the season as they needed the shootout to take care of the previously undefeated Wheeling Nailers by the score of 5-4. Ryan Gunderson started his four-point night with the game's first goal on the power play at the 13:09 mark of the first. Matt Cohen would then get his first of the season 2:35 into the second period to give the Devils a two-goal lead. Aaron Clarke would put Wheeling on the board 58 seconds later, only to see Chris Poli score from an odd angle on the power play to give the Devils a 3-1 lead at 7:11 of the second. In the third period, Trevor Kell scored his second of the season 3:35 into the frame. The Nailers would not give up, however, as they scored three unanswered to force overtime. The Devils would get their win in the shootout as Poli and Tyler Burton scored while Jeff Frazee stopped all four Nailers attempts to seal it for Trenton. Frazee stopped 39 shots in the game to earn his first professional victory. The Devils would finish the night 4-for-5 on the power play.

NAILERS KNOCK OFF DEVILS: A four-goal second period paved the way for the Nailers to defeat the Devils, 5-3. The Devils peppered Nailers goaltender Curtis Darling with 56 shots on goal, but the Wheeling lefty proved to be a formidable foe as he made 53 saves. Wheeling took the lead late in the first period on Tommy Goebel's first goal of the night. Goebel scored again early in the second period to make it a two-goal Nailer lead. Chris Tutalo's first professional goal at 6:08 of the second period trimmed the lead back to one. From there, the Nailers turned on the afterburners with three straight goals, which included Goebel's hat trick tally. Matt Radoslovich and Eric Castonguay would provide the last two goals for Trenton, resulting in the final score of 5-3 in favor of the Nailers.

GUNDERSON GETS POINTS: 2008 ECHL All-Star Ryan Gunderson tied a career-high with a four-point night in Saturday's game. Gunderson scored the game's first goal and added assists on Trenton's three other tallies. Gunderson's other four-point game came on January 25, 2008 against the Elmira Jackals, when he tallied four assists.

POWER SURGE: The Devils have scored a power-play goal in each of their first five games. Overall, the Devils are 21.6% (8-for-37) with the man advantage.

QUICK HITS: Prior to Sunday's loss, the Devils won their last four games at WesBanco Arena...Dan McGoff joined the Devils prior to their road trip; McGoff played four seasons at Boston University and was with the Charlotte Checkers during training camp...McGoff and Jeremy Akeson each made their pro debuts on Saturday.

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, October 30, 7:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. Johnstown Chiefs

The Devils look to avenge their opening night loss when they play the Johnstown Chiefs for the second time this season. The Devils lost 2-1 in the opening game as Ryan Garlock scored both goals for Johnstown in the third period to seal their win. Garlock is currently in the AHL playing for the Syracuse Crunch, which takes out one of the bigger offensive threats for Johnstown. The Chiefs will carry a 3-2-0-0 record into Trenton prior to Thursday's game.

Saturday, November 1, 7:35 p.m. -- Devils @ Elmira Jackals

The Devils will also look to retaliate for last Sunday's loss against the Jackals as they travel to First Arena in Elmira, where the Devils swept a pair of preseason games on October 10 and 11. Trenton won both games 5-4, the first in a shootout and the second in overtime. Tyler Donati leads the Jackals at press time with 12 points, tied for second in the ECHL. The Jackals are 3-2-0-0 to start the season.

Sunday, November 2, 4:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. Idaho Steelheads

Sunday will mark the first time in team history that the Devils will play the Idaho Steelheads, who are two-time Kelly Cup champions. An affiliate of the Dallas Stars, Idaho is currently 1-1-1 to start the season.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, October 30, 7:00 p.m. - Scorch's Hat Trick or Treat Party, Trenton, NJ

Kids 12 and under can celebrate Halloween a day early with Scorch and the Trenton Devils as they take on the Johnstown Chiefs. Kids who dress up in costume can trick-or-treat around the Sovereign Bank Arena concourse and get a jump start on their candy collection!

Sunday, November 1, 12:00 p.m. - Third Annual Muscle Team Challenge, Philadelphia, PA

Scorch will be on hand to help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Muscle Team Challenge at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.

Practice/Game Schedule:

Tuesday, October 28 -- Practice @ Grundy Recreation Center -- 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, October 29 -- Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena --10:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 30 -- Pre-Game Skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena -- 10:00 a.m.

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

Friday, October 31 -- Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena -- 10:30 a.m.

Depart for Elmira

Saturday, November 1 -- Pre-game skate @ First Arena -- 11:15 a.m.

Game @ Elmira -- 7:35 p.m.

Depart for Trenton

Sunday, November 2 -- Game vs. Idaho -- 4:00 p.m.

Monday, November 3 -- 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.

"Along the Boards" returns this week! Assistant coach Vince Williams and forward Jim Henkel join Paul Roper from the Lawrence Grill at the Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville, NJ. "Along the Boards" is broadcast Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on www.trentondevils.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Fans are invited to view the broadcast from the Lawrence Grill, where trivia and prizes will be offered along with a special menu for Trenton Devils fans.



ECHL Stories from October 27, 2008


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