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Prough Powers 3-2 OT Win In Elmira

March 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


Elmira, NY - The Devils' leading scorer, Jeff Prough, had three points Friday at First Arena, including hard work and a sharp pass to set up Tony Zancanaro's overtime game winning goal. A month between meetings only served to fuel the intensity in a playoff-like, back-and-forth contest, the first of four straight games between the rivals. Trenton's eighth win against Elmira in 11 games positions the Devils within three points of the final playoff spot with four games left.

A scoreless first period did not pass without excitement. Forceful play from both sides led to exciting scoring chances at both ends and the Devils outshot the Jackals, 13-9. Kevin Cormier, appearing in his seventh game for Trenton this season, dropped the gloves with Tim Spencer for a sustained bout, with Cormier repeatedly pummeling Spencer with strong lefts in the most entertaining fight of the season.

Rubber didn't meet nylon until the second, and Elmira used the power play for both of its goals with the league-leading Donati brothers combining on each. Passing along the blue line between the duo led to Tyler Donati firing from the right-wing circle, barely squeezing the puck between goalie Dave Caruso's glove and the short-side post. Tyler's 38th came at 13:35 from Justin Donati and R.J. Anderson for a 1-0 lead.

Trenton's tenacious effort in the neutral zone and on the forecheck generated several scoring chances, and hard work from Ryan Ginand led to the Devils first goal. Pushing the play down the left wing boards while contending with Jackals defenders, Ginand, in just his fourth game back from IR, tied up enough focus for the trailing Trevor Kell to skate into the left wing circle. Ginand made the feed to Kell who rifled the puck past goalie Andy Chiodo for his 16th of the season, with a secondary helper to Jeff Prough, and a 1-1 tie at 16:30.

The Donatis teamed for another go-ahead goal less than a minute later, just seven seconds into their fourth and final power play. With a similar setup to the earlier power play goal, passing from Tyler Donati on the high right got it to Justin Donati in the high slot for a one-time shot. The puck deflected off a Devil on its way toward Caruso and the resulting knuckle action fooled Caruso for Justin's 38th of the season, tying his brother for the team lead. Anderson again got the secondary assist, while Tyler, with two points in the game, now has a league-best 106, and Justin just behind in second place with 95.

With Elmira ahead 2-1 after two periods, Trenton used its own leading scorer to get things square in the third. After a Justin Coutu pass from deep in the defensive zone to Zancanaro at his own blue line, the next leg of the breakout came to center for Prough skating though the center ice logo. Going wide left into the zone, the Jackals sagging defense gave the former Brown Bear too much space, and he took advantage of it, firing from a tough angle in the circle and beating Chiodo for his 28th of the season and a 2-2 tie. The Devils continued to poor on the chances in the last ten minutes, especially in the last 90 seconds, but couldn't score.

In overtime, the playoff atmosphere reached a fever pitch and the home crowd of nearly 4000 fans cheered desperately for a Jackals victory that would have clinched the East Division title. Instead, it was a Devils celebration, thanks again to gritty work in the corners. Prough terminated a Jackals possession in the deep right wing and swiped the pass to Zancanaro crashing the net. Tony ended sudden death with a quick move past Chiodo, his 17th of the season 2:40 into overtime for a 3-2 win. Prough's sterling, three-point effort garnered first-star honors and his 57 points on the year are most on the team.

The four game series shifts to Trenton for Saturday and Sunday. The Devils (30-29-4-5, 69pts) host the Jackals (35-23-6-3, 79pts) at 7pm Saturday at SunCenter. Trenton cannot catch the Jackals for the division crown, but Reading still can, only three points off the pace. Trenton moves to tenth place, with Gwinnett idle, but only three points behind Toledo for the last playoff spot, and two points back of ninth place Wheeling.

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