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Kell's Triumphant Return Fuels 3-2 OT Win

March 12, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


Trenton, NJ - Absent from the ice since February 5, Devils Captain Trevor Kell returned to the lineup for the first time in 14 contests Friday, scoring two goals including the game-winner in overtime as the Trenton topped Toledo, 3-2. The come from behind victory puts the Devils one point out of a playoff spot with ten games remaining. The second consecutive win for Trenton was its second overtime win of the season in eleven chances.

Kell opened the scoring by backhanding in a rebound after a Dan Eves drive from the slot. With Kyle Kucharski drawing attention from goalie Jordan Pearce in the crease, Kell was able to get his stick on the puck near the right post at 14:43 into the first for his 13th of the season and a 1-0 lead.

In a fashion similar to Wednesday night's back-and-forth affair, Mike Hedden answered for the Walleye just 37 seconds later, with a backdoor goal on Caruso's blocker side to tie the game, 1-1. Hedden's 16th of the season, was setup by Simon Danis-Pepin and Scooter Smith on the rush.

Toledo had two near-goals disallowed in the second period but still earned a 2-1 advantage, due in part to compulsory retaliation penalties in protection of Caruso's crease. With Vokes in the box for high-sticking - 14 seconds after a separate Devils retaliation infraction - Joe Charlebois used the open ice of the five-on-three power play to wheel to the top of the point and sail a slapshot past the glove of Caruso for the defenseman's fifth of the season at 2:48.

The third period remained scoreless until Dan Charleston converted on the Devils' eighth power play opportunity of the game at 9:37.Slavomir Tomko sent a deceptive slap pass from the left point to the tape of Charleston parked just outside the perimeter of the crease for the quick-stick tally. The score would remain 2-2 through the rest of the entertaining third period.

Dave Caruso came up huge early in the extra frame, making a number of crucial stops. A high-speed break down the left wing put the potential victory on the blade of Akim Aliu. With Tim Kunes struggling to retreat defensively, the only hope for Trenton was Caruso who confidently poke-checked the puck away at the perfect instant, preventing a shot from the Chicago Blackhawks prospect.

As the Devils worked their way into the Walleye zone, about two minutes into the overtime period, Trevor Kell parked himself in a familiar spot at the front of the net. David Leaderer took a shot from the point, through the legs of Kell and into the pads of Jordan Pearce. Anticipating a rebound, Kell made a diving spin move around the defender on the goal-side, laid out and swept the puck through the pads of Jordan Pearce while falling down for the overtime winner, his 14th goal and second game-winner at 2:21.

The win gives the Devils (27-26-4-5) two wins and four losses against the Walleye (31-26-1-3) to end the season series. Pearce drops to 12-14-1-0-2 with 30 saves opposite Caruso with 32, improving to 16-17-1-1-0 on the season. The win also inches the Devils closer to playoff contention, tying the ninth place Gwinnett Gladiators and one point behind the Reading Royals in the eighth and final playoff spot. The Devils host the Kalamazoo Wings tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. for the final match this season against the team with the third most points in the American Conference.

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