Down To The Wire

March 29, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY - WEEK RECORD: 3-1-0 - SEASON RECORD: 44-18-6 - T-3rd NORTHERN

BULLIES REWIND: The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies bounced back from a Wednesday loss at home to Johnstown, and swept a three-game road trip with victories at Toledo on Friday and Saturday and at Reading on Sunday. With four games left to play in the regular season, the Bullies are tied for third in the ECHL's Northern Division with the Johnstown Chiefs, three points behind second place Peoria. The Bullies hold three games in hand over the Rivermen and two games in hand over the Chiefs. Playoff scenarios will be discussed following the recaps.

Wednesday, Dominic Forget tallied a goal and an assist and David Currie stopped 38 shots as the Johnstown Chiefs defeated the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 5-2 before 2186 at Boardwalk Hall in ECHL action Wednesday. The loss dropped the Bullies into a third place tie with Johnstown in the Northern Division with 88 points apiece. Johnstown opened the scoring at 7:44 of the first period when Dmitri Tarabrin was credited with a goal that redirected off the skate of a Bullies player in front of the net and through goaltender Scott Stirling for a 1-0 lead. Atlantic City would net the equalizer at 14:06 of the period when Paul Falco beat David Currie to the glove side for his first professional goal. Johnstown regained the lead at 19:46 on the power play. Jason Notermann picked up Forget's rebound to the left of Stirling and tapped it in for a 2-1 advantage heading into the first intermission. After a scoreless second period, Steve Hildenbrand gave the Chiefs a 3-1 lead in the third when he stripped Preston Mizzi of the puck, broke in alone on Stirling and beat him over the left shoulder at 2:14. The Bullies would counter as Dave Reid fired a slap shot from the left circle by Currie at 8:24 to cut the deficit to 3-2. Ian Manzano made it 4-2 at 11:10 when his drive from the right point sifted its way through traffic and by Stirling. Forget capped the scoring off a turnover as he slipped a backhand shot through Stirling at 17:29 to make the final 5-2. The Bullies out-shot the Chiefs 40-18 for the game. Stirling stopped 13 shots in falling to 30-13-5 on the season. Atlantic City went 0-1 on the power play.

Friday, Jon Cullen had a goal and three assists, Josh Prudden and Aaron Foster each tallied a pair of goals, and Bujar Amidovski stopped all 11 shots he faced for his first shutout in a Bullies uniform as the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies blanked the Toledo Storm 9-0 before 3801 at the Toledo Sports Arena in ECHL action on Friday. The Bullies opened the scoring just 2:37 into the first period when Aaron Foster collected the puck at the left-wing circle and snapped a backhand shot over Storm goaltender Cory Campbell for a 1-0 lead. Prudden tallied his first of two goals on the night at 11:35 on the power play, taking a feed at the right circle from Cullen and slapping it by Campbell to give the Bullies a 2-0 lead. The Bullies erupted for four goals in the second frame. Prudden netted his second of the night on the power play 35 seconds into the second for a 3-0 advantage. Alexandre Jacques in his Bullies debut cracked the score sheet with his first goal in a Bullie's uniform at 7:34. Foster gave the Bullies a 5-0 lead with a power play goal at 15:52. Cullen capped the scoring in the second period with his first marker of the night, a wrist shot from the left-wing circle that beat Campbell far side at 17:58. Atlantic City would tally three more goals in the third period from Scott Horvath at 6:49, Preston Mizzi at 10:49, and Pierre-Luc Sleigher at 11:36 for the 9-0 win. The Bullies out-shot Toledo 49-11. Amidovski picked up his 11th win of the season and his first as a member of the Bullies. Atlantic City went 4-8 on the power play.

Saturday, Jon Cullen fired a wrist shot past Toledo goaltender Cory Campbell 45 seconds into overtime leading the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies to a 1-0 overtime win over the Toledo Storm before 5128 at the Toledo Sports Arena in ECHL action on Saturday. Atlantic City out-shot Toledo 38-15 through three periods, but could not crack Campbell until overtime. For the game the Bullies out-shot Toledo 41-15. Bujar Amidovski stopped all 15 shots for his second straight shutout to improve to 12-15-3 on the season. Atlantic City went 0-2 on the power play.

Sunday, Pierre-Luc Sleigher scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal 20 seconds into the third period and Josh Prudden tallied a goal and two assists as the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies defeated the Reading Royals 3-1 before 5004 at the Sovereign Center in ECHL action on Sunday. With a victory by Johnstown, the Bullies remain tied for third place in the Northern Division with the Chiefs with 94 points each. Atlantic City (44-18-6) opened the scoring at 3:25 of the first period on the power play. Dave Reid tipped home Prudden's rebound in front of Royals goaltender Cody Rudkowsky to put the Bullies on the board 1-0. Reading (35-25-10) countered at 8:36 with a power play goal, as Ian Turner's one-timer from the blue line beat Bullies goaltender Scott Stirling over the right shoulder to tie the game 1-1. Sleigher would give the Bullies the lead for good, tipping the loose puck by Rudkowsky 20 seconds into the third period for a 2-1 advantage. Prudden sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:44. The Bullies out-shot the Royals 38-21. Stirling stopped 20 shots for his 31st win of the season. Atlantic City went 1-4 on the power play.

BULLIES "TOP DAWG" AWARD: Each Monday from now until the end of the season, Public Relations and Broadcasting Manager Dan Weiss will select the Bullies "Top Dawg" for the week. This week's winner is Bujar Amidovski, who pitched back-to-back shutouts in Toledo. Honorable mention goes out to Josh Prudden and Jon Cullen who each tallied 6 points. Prudden finished the week with 3 goals and 3 assists while Cullen had 2 goals and 4 assists. Previous recent winners below include:

3/8/04: Scott Stirling (4th shutout of the season; 14th of his career) 3/15/04: Sam Paolini (3 goals, 1 assist) 3/22/04: Josh Prudden (1 goal, 3 assists)

MARCH MADNESS SCENARIOS: The Bullies are currently tied for third place in the Northern Division playoff race with the Johnstown Chiefs with 94 points apiece. Wheeling's victory over Reading on Saturday gave the Nailers the division title, and left Atlantic City, Peoria, and Johnstown fighting for second, third, and fourth place. With four games in hand, the Bullies control their own destiny. The Bullies need any combination of six points to clinch second place in the division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Bullies need any combination of five points to clinch third place in the division, which guarantees them a best-of-five first round series. Should Peoria and Johnstown win their remaining games, two losses (based on the fourth tie-breaker against Johnstown: goal differential, head-to-head led by the Chiefs 22-21) will clinch fourth place for the Bullies and a wild card game next Monday against either Trenton or Reading. Both teams the Bullies are battling have completed their home schedule. Peoria closes out its season on Friday in Dayton, but the Rivermen are a league-best 22-7-6 on the road. Johnstown travels to Reading on Friday and Trenton on Saturday. The Chiefs are a franchise-best 18-14-2 away from home this season.

2003-04 BULLIES TIE FRANCHISE MARKS: With Sunday's win, the Bullies tied the all-time franchise record for single season wins (44) set by the 1993-94 Birmingham Bulls, and points (94) set by last year's Kelly Cup Champions. The record for single-season wins is currently the longest standing mark in franchise history.

INDIVIDUAL RACES HEAT UP: While the Bullies are battling for playoff positioning, a couple of Bullies have a chance to garner individual honors in the final week of the regular season. For the last month, Jon Cullen and San Diego's Greg Barber have been going head-to-head for the rookie scoring title. With a 6-point week, Cullen holds a slim 1-point lead over Barber 74-73. With 29 goals and 45 assists, Cullen should receive strong consideration for both the ECHL All-Rookie Team that will be announced on Wednesday, and the CCM Rookie of the Year Award that will be announced on Saturday. Meanwhile, goaltender Scott Stirling could finish with the ECHL's lowest goals against average and highest save percentage. With a 1.91 goals against average, Stirling could challenge Frederic Cloutier's ECHL-record of 1.84 set back in 2001-02. His current save percentage of .933 would place Stirling with the third highest save percentage in league history. Stirling will be a prime candidate for the Goaltender of the Year award handed out on April 8.

COMING AND GOING: Alexandre Jacques made his Bullies debut this weekend tallying a goal and an assist against the team that traded him, the Toledo Storm. Jacques' ECHL rights were acquired on March 5 for defenseman Danny Eberly and forward John Longo. Jacques was recalled by Milwaukee (AHL) on Sunday, yet could return to the Bullies soon should Nashville miss out on the playoffs. The Predators are currently 2 points out for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, rookie defenseman Jerramie Domish made his Bullies debut on Sunday in Reading. A four-year standout blue-liner at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Domish finished even with four shots on goal.

"FACE-OFF AGAINST KIDS CANCER" JERSEY AUCTION NOW ONLINE: Game-worn autograph jerseys that the Bullies wore culminating their "Face-Off Against Kids Cancer" are now available for purchase in a live online auction through March 31 at www.boardwalkbullies.com. Proceeds from the auction benefit Caps For Kids and duPont Hospital For Children in Wilmington, Delaware. Log on to www.boardwalkbullies.com for more details! "QUEST FOR THE CUP" CONTINUES TONIGHT: The Bullies continue their "Quest For the Cup" presented by Swingers at Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, tonight from 7PM-8PM on ESPN Radio 1450 and on the internet at www.boardwalkbullies.com. Tonight, host Dan Weiss welcomes Head Coach Mike Haviland and Bullies Scott Horvath and Dave Reid. Join us live on location at Swingers Bar inside the Sands Casino for your chance to be apart of the show. That's "Quest For the Cup", tonight from 7PM-8PM.

POWER PLAY FOR UNITED WAY: The Bullies have teamed up with United Way of Atlantic County to sponsor the Power Play for United Way. For every power play goal the Bullies score this season, Trump Plaza, Sands Casino Hotel, Advance Door & Supply, Kline Construction and HR Solutions will donate $10 dollars to United Way of Atlantic County. The Bullies produced five power play goals last week to run their season total to 73, good for $3,650 dollars towards the Power Play for United Way.

UP NEXT: The defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champions close out the regular season with four games in five nights. Tuesday, the Bullies travel to Trenton to battle the Titans at 7PM. Wednesday and Friday, the Bullies host the Toledo Storm at 7:05PM at Boardwalk Hall. Saturday, the Bullies conclude the regular season against the Wheeling Nailers at 7:05PM at Boardwalk Hall. Catch Tuesday's game live on ESPN Radio 1450AM and all four games on the Surfer Network at www.boardwalkbullies.com beginning with the pre-game show 20 minutes prior to face-off with Dan Weiss.

Every Wednesday home game this season is a Wild Wednesday sponsored by Coors Light and Molson Canadian. All college students, casino workers, military and service industry personnel get in for just $6! Enjoy great Coors Light and Molson Canadian draught beer all night for just $2! For more information or to order tickets, call (609) 348-PUCK.

Friday, the first 2,500 fans through the gates receive a souvenir puck courtesy of BenchMark Mortgage. Don't miss out on your chance to win a Ford Explorer in the second intermission presented by Gentilini Ford!

Saturday, the Bullies celebrate the best fans in the ECHL with Fan Appreciation Night! The first 2,500 fans through the gates receive a team poster. Don't miss out on your chance to win a Harley Buell Blast in the second intermission presented by Atlantic City Harley Davidson and Buell.

BULLIES SCHEDULE WEEK OF MARCH 29th

Monday, March 29: Practice 10:30AM-12PM

Tuesday, March 30: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies @ Trenton 7PM

Wednesday, March 31: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Toledo 7:05PM

Thursday, April 1: Practice 10:30AM-12PM

Friday, April 2: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Toledo 7:05PM

Saturday, April 3: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Wheeling 7:05PM

Sunday, April 4: TBA

BULLIES PLAYOFF SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY, APRIL 4



ECHL Stories from March 29, 2004


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