Devils win Three out of Four to get within a Point of Final Playoff Spot

Published on February 16, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, N.J., -- The Trenton Devils were able gain ground on the fourth-place Wheeling Nailers with three wins last week, placing them one point out of fourth place in the ECHL's American Conference, North Division. The Devils will have an opportunity to move into a playoff position this week with four games at home: Wednesday against the Reading Royals, Friday and Sunday against the Nailers, and Saturday night against the South Carolina Stingrays. Before Saturday's night game, the Devils will honor Scott Bertoli, as his No. 19 jersey will be raised to the rafters of Sovereign Bank Arena.

PROUGH SCORES LATE IN WIN OVER NAILERS: Jeff Prough's late power play goal lifted the Trenton Devils to a 3-2 win over the Wheeling Nailers Wednesday night. Devils center Jim Henkel also reached a milestone with his 300th career point. Prough scored the game-winner with 1:45 left in regulation, while the Devils were on a four-minute power play, as a result of Dan Eves taking a high-stick to the face from Andrew Lord. Prough took a loose puck from the near corner and roofed a shot over the right shoulder of Nailers goaltender Curtis Darling to seal the deal for Trenton. The goal was Prough's 19th of the season, which leads the Devils. The Nailers started the scoring with a goal 7:59 into the contest, as Tobias Holm slammed in a puck that ricocheted off the end boards and landed in front of the net. Eves tied the game up at 10:06 with a one-timer pass in front of the crease from Henkel, who received credit for his 300th career point. The Devils would be shorthanded not long after tying the game, but it would not matter as Jeremy Akeson took the give and go from Prough and fired in his 11th of the season at 11:27, giving the Devils the lead. Elgin Reid tied the game at 11:07 of the second as he took a drop pass from Erik Johnson in the left circle and fired in his third goal against the Devils this season. Both teams had their opportunities throughout the third period, but it took a double-minor penalty by Lord for the Devils to finally break through Darling and win the game.

KELL LEADS THE WAY IN SHOOTOUT WIN: Trevor Kell scored twice in regulation and put home the deciding goal in the shootout as the Trenton Devils defeated the Elmira Jackals Friday night, 4-3. Kell scored the shootout winner in the third round, firing a shot between the legs of Mitch O'Keefe. Gerald Coleman stopped four out of five Elmira attempts to preserve the Devils win. Brad Snetsinger started the scoring at 7:37 of the first when he took a pass from Scott Bartlett in the left corner and fired a wrist shot from the half-boards through O'Keefe for his 12th goal of the season. The Jackals tied the game up on the power play at 16:22, but the Devils answered back with a power play goal of their own, 1:29 later. Kell recovered the puck in a goalmouth scramble and sent it past O'Keefe for his 15th tally of the season. In the second period, the Jackals were handed five consecutive power plays, and capitalized on two of them to take the lead. Brandon Roach and Mike Sgroi scored 1:33 apart to give the Jackals a 3-2 advantage. Despite losing momentum, the Devils tied the game up late in the second period. Kell deflected in a Ryan Gunderson shot for his second goal of the game on the power play at 17:37. After a spirited third period and overtime in which the Devils outshot the Jackals for the last 25 minutes, it would come down to a shootout. The Devils prevailed thanks to Kell's heroics.

DEVILS DROP HEARTBREAKER IN JOHNSTOWN: A late power play goal by Toby LaFrance spelled disaster for the Trenton Devils in their 3-2 loss to the Johnstown Chiefs Saturday night. LaFrance was left wide open in the slot with 1:50 left and fired in a wrist shot past Gerald Coleman to win the game for Johnstown. The Devils struck first when Jeff Prough deflected in a Ryan Gunderson shot for his 20th goal of the year at 14:49 of the second. The Chiefs would control the rest of the second period, scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room. Jarrett Konkle scored a power play goal at 16:28 and Todd Griffith followed up with a tally at 19:27. Dave Leaderer continued his mastery over the Chiefs with his fourth goal of the season's series, tying the game with 8:45 left in regulation. Leaderer powered the puck from the blue line through Ian Keserich for his seventh tally of the season. Jim Henkel assisted on the goal to move into sole possession of second place for most points (175) in Trenton history, passing Matt Zultek. Kevin Cormier took a late penalty, putting the Chiefs power play to work. Johnstown capitalized with LaFrance's game-winner to steal two points from the Devils.

DEVILS HAVE THE POWER OVER ROYALS: The Trenton Devils took control of the second period over the Reading Royals and never looked back, winning on the road Sunday evening, 5-3. The Devils struck first on the power play as Trevor Kell took a pass from Jim Henkel and fired it into the net for his 17th goal of the year at 10:27 of the first period. Just over a minute later, Dylan Quaile fluttered in a shot from the blue line for his fourth goal of the season at 11:37. The Royals took control of the rest of the period, scoring twice in 27 seconds to tie the game and adding a power play goal at 17:01 to take a 3-2 lead into the locker room. In the second period, the Devils took their end of the period woes behind them and came out firing, scoring two more power play goals to take the lead. Henkel tied the game at 8:04 by firing in a one-timer pass from Brad Snetsinger. The goal was Henkel's 12th of the season. Snetsinger gave the Devils the lead for good with his 13th goal of the season, an easy tap-in from in front of the net at 12:18. The Devils outshot the Royals, 21-6, in the second period. Matt Radoslovich scored an insurance goal at 17:03 of the third by taking the puck away from Matt Curley in front of the net and firing in his ninth goal of the season. Charlie Effinger earned the victory with 22 saves, his first win since December 19, which also came against Reading. The Devils went 3-for-6 on the power play, which played a key role in their victory.

DEVILS TO HONOR BERTOLI ON SATURDAY: Trenton will retire the first uniform number in their 10-year history as Scott Bertoli's No. 19 will be retired Saturday night. Bertoli is the record holder in many offensive categories for Trenton, including most goals (182), assists (344) and points (526) in a career. During his eight-year career in Trenton, Bertoli finished among the top-two in scoring in each season and led the Titans to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2005.

NOT AN EASY TARGET: Tim Judy, who keyed a play role in Trenton's 2005 Kelly Cup victory, filled in for the Devils in all three games last weekend. Outside of hockey, Judy works at Target in the Charleston, SC area. He has performed in a fill-in role with the South Carolina Stingrays the last two seasons. The defenseman made his presence felt throughout the weekend, throwing perfect hip checks in games against the Chiefs and Royals.

QUICK HITS: Brad Snetsinger has 11 points (4g, 7a) in seven games during the month of February...The Devils have won four games in the month of February, doubling last season's win total in the same month (two)...The Johnstown Chiefs won't be missing Dave Leaderer, as the Devils defenseman led the team with 11 points (4g, 7a) against Johnstown this season.

UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. Reading Royals

The Trenton Devils have a re-match with the Reading Royals; three days after the Devils' 5-3 win. The Devils have a 6-2-0-1 record in the season series. Trevor Kell leads the Devils with nine points (5g, 4a) against the Royals this season.

Friday, February 20, 7:30 p.m. -- Devils vs. Wheeling Nailers

Sunday, February 22, 6:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. Wheeling Nailers

The Devils face the Wheeling Nailers twice this week in game that is pivotal in determining the ECHL's American Conference, North Division standings. As of press time, the Devils are one point behind the fourth-place Nailers, who have lost five games in a row. The Nailers have a 3-1-0-1 series advantage.

Saturday, February 21, 7:00 p.m. -- Devils vs. South Carolina Stingrays

The Devils take on the South Carolina Stingrays for the first of two matchups this year. The Stingrays are currently second in the ECHL's American Conference, South Division, 15 points behind the first-place Florida Everblades. Leading the way for South Carolina is ECHL All-Star forward Travis Morin, who is fourth in the ECHL with 58 points (15g, 43a).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, February 17, 1:15 p.m. -- Face Off for Fitness, Trenton, NJ

Trenton Devils Athletic Trainer Michael Bronstein and a Trenton Devils player will visit the students of Franklin Elementary School in Trenton, NJ to teach them about healthy eating and exercise habits. The Face Off for Fitness program is part of the Trenton Devils P.L.A.Y. Program, sponsored by NJEA.

Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m. -- Dollar Hot Dog Night at Sovereign Bank Arena

Fans attending the game can purchase hot dogs for a dollar from various concession stands during the Devils' game against the Reading Royals.

Friday-Sunday, February 20-22 -- NJEA Book Drive at Sovereign Bank Arena

Fans are encouraged to bring in new or used books that will be donated to the NJEA. All books collected will be distributed to schools throughout the Greater Trenton Area.

Friday, February 20, 7:30 p.m. -- Youth Hockey Night at Sovereign Bank Arena

All kids ages 12 and under will receive a Trenton Devils hockey puck, courtesy of the Lawrence Flames.

Saturday, February 21, 6:30 p.m. -- Scott Bertoli Night at Sovereign Bank Arena

Join the Trenton Devils for a very special night as Scott Bertoli's #19 is raised to the rafters of Sovereign Bank Arena in a pre-game ceremony, starting 30 minutes before game time.

Sunday, February 22, 6:00 p.m. -- $4 for 48 Sundays/Greyhound Angels Adoption at Sovereign Bank Arena

Buy four tickets, four hot dogs and four small sodas in advance for Sunday's game against the Wheeling Nailers. Greyhound Angels Adoption, Inc. is dedicated to the placement of retired racing greyhounds into loving adoptive forever homes. Come out to meet some of the greyhounds up for adoption and get more information on adopting one of your own!

Practice/Game Schedule: (subject to change)

Tuesday, February 17 -- Practice at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 18 -- Pre-game Skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

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

Thursday, February 19 -- Practice at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 20 -- Pre-game skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

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

Saturday, February 21 -- Pre-game skate at Sovereign Bank Arena, 10:00 a.m.

Game vs. South Carolina -- 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 22 -- Game vs. Wheeling -- 6:00 p.m.

Monday, February 23 -- Practice at Grundy Recreation Center, 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 February 25! Join Paul Roper with Trenton Devils coaches and 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 25. The show is streamed online at the Devils' official website, www.trentondevils.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

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ECHL Stories from February 16, 2009


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