ECHL ECHL

Royals, Chiefs, Nailers Move Closer To Playoffs

Published on February 23, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release


Winning four consecutive games, Columbus has improved to 30-21-4 and is in fourth place in the Central Division with 64 points. With 17 games remaining, the Cottonmouths have surpassed their season high for points (59 in 2001-02) and wins (25 in 2002-03) while looking to qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since moving to Columbus in 2001-02. The Cottonmouths will play at Florida on February 27-28. Columbus is 1-0-0 against Florida in 2003-04, winning 2-0 at home on December 14, and 7-9-1 overall against Florida.

Going 8-1-1 in its last 10 games, Reading has improved to 30-15-8 and moved into a tie for third place with Peoria in the Northern Division with 68 points. With 19 games remaining, the Royals are one point shy of their season high for points (69 in 2002-03) and two wins shy of their season high for wins (32 in 2002-03) while looking to qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since moving to Reading in 2001-02. Reading hosts Atlantic City on February 24 and plays at Peoria on February 27-28. The Royals are 0-0-1 at home and 1-3-2 overall against Atlantic City in 2003-04 and 8-12-3 all-time against the Boardwalk Bullies. Reading is 2-0-0 at Peoria and 2-0-1 overall against the Rivermen in 2003-04 and 4-3-0 all-time against Peoria.

Going 7-1-2 in its last 10 games, Johnstown has improved to 30-16-6 and is in fourth place in the Northern Division with 68 points, two points behind Reading and Peoria. With 20 games remaining, the Chiefs have already surpassed the 28 wins from 2002-03 and need only one point to tie the 67 points from 2002-03. Looking to return to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2001-02 and the 10th time in its 16-year history, Johnstown is 12 points shy of its season high for points (80 in 2001-02) and nine wins shy of its season high for wins (39 in 2001-02). Johnstown plays at Trenton on February 25 and at Toledo on February 27 before returning home to host Toledo on February 28 and Trenton on February 29. The Chiefs are 3-1-0 against Trenton in 2003-04 and 9-14-2 all-time in the regular season against the Titans. Johnstown is 3-2-1 against Toledo in 2003-04 and 39-43-1 all-time in the regular season against the Storm.

Wheeling is 38-13-2 and sits atop the ECHL, the Eastern Conference and the Northern Division with 78 points as the Nailers look to qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1997-98. The 38 wins are the most for the team since 42 wins in 1995-96 and eight wins shy of the team record of 46 wins in 1994-95. The 78 points are the most since 83 points in 1997-98 and are 19 points shy of the team record of 97 points in 1994-95.


Kelly Cup Tour Visits Greensboro On Feb. 26-27
The inaugural Kelly Cup Tour, which began February 20 in Wheeling, will be stopping in Greensboro on February 26-27. Each of the 31 teams in the ECHL were given the opportunity to have the Kelly Cup, presented annually to the Postseason Champion of the ECHL and won in 2003 by Atlantic City, visit their city to appear at games, schools, sponsors, radio and television stations and other community events. Following Greensboro, the Kelly Cup Tour will visit the Florida Everblades on March 1-2 as it continues its 44-day and 10-city trek that will cover 7,543 miles before its conclusion on April 2-3 in Atlantic City with the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs scheduled to begin on April 5.


Titans Set Marks For Fewest Shots
After holding Bakersfield to an ECHL record-tying low nine shots on February 17, Trenton tied the ECHL record for the fourth-lowest number of shots on goal with 11 on February 21 at Johnstown. The nine shots by Bakersfield in the Condors 3-2 win at Trenton ties the mark set by the Arkansas RiverBlades against Greenville on March 7, 2000. The 11 shots in Trenton's 4-2 loss at Johnstown ties the mark set by the Knoxville Cherokees against Mobile on March 14, 1997 and tied by Johnstown against Peoria on February 2, 2002. The third-lowest number of shots in league history is 10 by the Columbus Cottonmouths against Columbia on January 7, 2003.


Nailers Extend Home Streak To 11 Games, Gulls Home Streak Ends
Beating Cincinnati 6-0 on February 20, Wheeling extended its home winning streak to 11 games, the longest active home winning streak and the second-longest home winning streak overall in the ECHL in 2003-04. The Nailers, who are 23-4-2 at home, will play at home on February 27 and 28 against Cincinnati. Wheeling is 6-2-0 overall against the Cyclones in 2003-04, including a 3-0-0 record at WesBanco Arena.

San Diego saw its ECHL season-high home winning streak end at 14 games with a 5-3 loss to Fresno on February 21. San Diego's 14-game home winning streak ties it with four teams for the fourth-longest home winning streak in ECHL history.

Reading saw its nine-game home winning streak end with a 3-2 shootout loss to Atlantic City on Friday. The Royals, however, won back-to-back home games on February 21 and 22 to improve their home record to an ECHL-best 20-1-3. Reading hosts Atlantic City on February 24. Reading has not lost at home in regulation since losing 2-1 to Wheeling on October 31 and the Royals are 19-0-2 in their last 21 games at the Sovereign Center. The 20 home wins are the most in the Royals three seasons, surpassing the 17 wins in 2002-03. The nine consecutive home wins is a team record for the Royals surpassing the eight consecutive home wins from November 16 to December 21 which broke the record of six consecutive home wins set February 8 to March 2, 2002.

The ECHL record for most consecutive home wins is 18 by South Carolina from December 23, 1994-March 19, 1995. The ECHL record for most home wins in a season is 30 by Louisiana in 2001-02.


ECHL Surpasses 3 Million For 10th Year In A Row
For the 10th consecutive season the ECHL has drawn more than three million fans and for the eighth week in a row the league's attendance increased from 3,747 to 3,770, up over four percent from the average of 3,605 from the first 19 weeks of 2002-03. Atlantic City had a sellout crowd of 8,570 for its 5-2 win against Bakersfield on February 22, marking the second time this season that the Bullies have had a sellout (7,040 on December 12 vs. Cincinnati). Idaho returns home to the Bank of America Centre for the first time since February 7 to open an eight-game home stand when it hosts Alaska on February 25. The Steelheads, who have sold out their last two home games, lead the ECHL with seven sellouts. There have been 26 sellouts in the ECHL in 2003-04.


ECHL Career Leaders
Here is a look at active players and where they rank on the career lists.

Career Regular Season Point Leaders
 1. 736 - Louis Dumont, Mississippi, 1994-Present (617 games)
2. 689 - Rod Taylor, 1991-2003, 678 games

Career Regular Season Assist Leaders
 1. 460 - Chris Valicevic, 1993-2002 (590 games)
2. 453 - Louis Dumont, Mississippi, 1994-Present (617 games)
3. 391 - John Spoltore, 1995-2001 (341 games)
4. 390 - Darryl Noren, 1990-2000 (549 games)
5. 367 - Derek Clancey, 1991-99 (391 games)
6. 366 - Dave Seitz, South Carolina, 1996-Present (483 games)

Career Regular Season Goal Leaders
 1. 368 - Rod Taylor, 1991-2003 (678 games)
2. 324 - Trevor Jobe, 1989-99 (352 games)
3. 323 - Darren Colbourne, 1991-99 (420 games)
4. 316 - Sheldon Gorski, 1990-99 (471 games)
5. 313 - Darren Schwartz, 1989-99 (490 games)
6. 295 - Darryl Noren, 1990-2000 (549 games)
7. 283 - Louis Dumont, Mississippi, 1994-Present (617 games)

Career Regular Season Game Leaders
 1. 678 - Rod Taylor, 1991-2003
2. 631 - Cam Brown, Gwinnett, 1991-2002, 2003-Present
 3. 617 - Louis Dumont, Mississippi, 1994-Present
Career Regular Season Penalty Minute Leaders
 1. 2,253 - Brian Goudie, 1992-2003 (598 games)
2. 2,246 - Jason Clarke, 1993-2001 (320 games)
3. 2,217 - Cam Brown, 1991-2002, 2003-Present (631 games)


Northern Conference
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
 * Scott Stirling leads the ECHL with a 1.76 goals against average and five shootout wins.
* Jon Cullen has a nine-game point streak (5g-6a) and ranks second among ECHL rookies with 56 points (22g-35a).
* Atlantic City travels to Reading on Tuesday and Dayton on Wednesday before hosting Roanokeon Friday and Trenton on Saturday.

Cincinnati Cyclones
 * Cincinnati is 9-2-0 when leading after the first period and 9-12-3 in one-goal games.
* Cyclones are 1-10-1 and have been outscored 44-21 in eight games in February. * Cincinnati travels to Wheeling on Friday and Saturday.

Dayton Bombers
 * Jason Deskins is tied for second in the ECHL with four shorthand goals.
* Bombers are 8-2-1 when leading after the first period and 13-6-5 in one-goal games.
* Dayton hosts Atlantic City on Wednesday before traveling to Trenton on Friday and to Roanoke on Saturday and Sunday.

Peoria Rivermen
 * For the first time in eight ECHL seasons the Rivermen have lost 10 home games in regulation (13-10-3).
* Peoria ranks fourth in the ECHL in goals allowed with 2.51 goals per game.
* Peoria hosts Wheeling on Tuesday, travels to Toledo on Wednesday, and hosts Reading on Friday and Saturday.

Reading Royals
 * Peter Hamerlik is 4-0-0 with a 1.48 goals against average in six games in February.
* Royals have not lost in regulation at home since October 31 and have the best home record in the ECHL (20-1-3).
* Reading hosts Atlantic City on Tuesday and travels to Peoria on Friday and Saturday.

Toledo Storm
 * Alexandre Jacques has 15 points (7g-8a) in his last 10 games and leads the team with 47 points (24g-23a).
* Jim Abbott is tied for third among ECHL rookies with 22 goals.
* Toledo hosts Peoria on Wednesday, Johnstown on Friday and Wheeling on Sunday while traveling to Johnstown on Saturday.

Trenton Titans
 * Andrew Allen is 11-3-2 with a 1.91 goals against average in 17 home games.
* Matt Zultek ranks second in the ECHL with 14 power-play goals.
* Trenton hosts Johnstown on Wednesday and Dayton on Friday before traveling to Atlantic City on Saturday and to Johnstown on Sunday.

Wheeling Nailers
 * Jason Jaffray had five points (3g-2a), including a game-winning goal, in three games last week.
* Nailers rank second in the ECHL in scoring with 3.74 goals per game.
* Wheeling travels to Peoria on Tuesday and to Toledo on Sunday while hosting Cincinnati on Friday and Saturday.


Southern Division
Charlotte Checkers
 * Checkers are 40-for-42 (95.2 percent) on the penalty kill in nine games in February
* Richard Keyes has 15 points (6g-7a) and is +4 in his last 10 games.
* Charlotte travels to Greenville on Tuesday and Friday and Greensboro on Thursday and Sunday.

Columbia Inferno
 * Tim Smith has 11 points (4g-7a) in his last five games and ranks second in the ECHL with 70 points (24g-36a).
* Jesse Schultz has an eight-game point streak (8g-6a) dating back to February 6.
* Columbia travels to Greensboro on Tuesday and Florence on Friday before hosting Florence on Saturday.

Florence Pride
 * Pride is 10-for-27 (27.0 percent) on the power play in 12 games in February.
* Allan Sirois has 199 ECHL career goals, and needs two goals to break Dany Bousquet's team record of 148 goals.
* Florence travels to Gwinnett on Tuesday and hosts Columbia on Friday before traveling to Columbia on Saturday.

Florida Everblades
 * Brian McCullough ranks second in the ECHL with 33 goals and leads the league with 71 points.
* Jeff Maund earned his third shutout of the season in Florida's 3-0 win at Florence on February 21.
* Florida hosts Columbus on Friday and Saturday.

Greensboro Generals
 * Geno Parrish is tied for fourth in the ECHL with 43 assists and ranks third among defensemen with 50 points.
* Jamie Hodson is 9-6-1 with two shutouts and ranks second in the ECHL with a .934 save percentage.
* Greensboro hosts Columbia on Tuesday, Charlotte on Thursday and Sunday and Augusta on Friday.

Greenville Grrrowl
 * Jeremy Kyte has a four-game assist streak (5a) dating back to February 15.
* Grrrowl is 33-for-37 (89.2 percent) on the penalty kill in 10 games in February.
* Greenville hosts Charlotte on Tuesday and Friday and Gwinnett on Saturday before traveling to Gwinnett on Sunday.

Roanoke Express
 * Rick Kowalsky leads the team with 17 goals and 17 assists and is +10 in 24 home games.
* Jason Wolfe is 3-1-0 with a 1.72 goals against average in his last four games.
* Roanoke hosts Bakersfield on Tuesday and Dayton on Saturday and Sunday while traveling to Atlantic City on Friday.

South Carolina Stingrays
 * David Brumby is 7-9-1 and ranks fourth in the ECHL with a .929 save percentage.
* Stingrays' road power play ranks second in the ECHL with 23.1 percent (27-for-117).
* South Carolina hosts Pensacola on Tuesday before traveling to Long Beach on Friday, San Diego on Saturday and Bakersfield on Sunday.


Central Division
Augusta Lynx
 * Scott Kelman has a four-game assist streak (6a) dating back to February 14.
* Gregg Naumenko is 3-0-0 with a 1.64 goals against average in his last three games.
* Augusta hosts Pensacola on Thursday and travels to Greensboro on Friday.

Columbus Cottonmouths
 * Jason Tapp is 6-1-1 with a 2.41 goals against average and a shutout in his last nine games.
* Colin Pepperall has a 10-game point streak (4g-14a) and is +9 in his last 10 games.
* Columbus travels to Florida on Friday and Saturday.

Gwinnett Gladiators
 * Kevin Doell scored four goals and tallied his first career hat trick on February 20 at Roanoke.
* Brandon Dietrich is tied for the ECHL lead with 46 assists and ranks third with 22 power-play assists.
* Gwinnett hosts Florence on Tuesday, Pensacola on Friday and Greenville on Sunday while traveling to Greenville on Saturday.

Louisiana IceGators
 * Louisiana's power play leads the ECHL with 23.3 percent (63-for-270).
* Bobby Brown is tied for third in the ECHL with 29 goals and has 11 points (6g-5a) in his last 10 games.
* Louisiana hosts Mississippi on Friday and Texas on Sunday while traveling to Pensacola on Saturday.

Mississippi Sea Wolves
 * Bob Woods is scheduled to coach in his 200th game on Friday at Louisiana (199 games,117-67-15, .626 win pct.).
* Louis Dumont tallied four goals and four assists and finished +1 in three games last week.
* Mississippi travels to Louisiana on Friday and Texas on Saturday.

Pensacola Ice Pilots
 * Corey Neilson has 14 points (4g-10a) in his last 10 games and leads ECHL defensemen with 58 points (14g-44a).
* Ice Pilots rank third in the ECHL on the power play with 22.4 percent (56-for-250).
* Pensacola travels to South Carolina on Tuesday, Augusta on Thursday and Gwinnett on Friday while hosting Louisiana on Saturday.

Texas Wildcatters
 * Ashlee Langdone has six goals, eight assists and is +4 in nine games in February.
Martin Masa has five goals, two assists and is +5 in his last five games.
Texas hosts Mississippi on Saturday and travels to Louisiana on Sunday.


Pacific Division
Alaska Aces
 * Joe Talbot is tied for the ECHL rookie lead with 23 goals and is tied for third with 53 points.
* Aces' rank third in the ECHL on the penalty kill with 87.8 percent (251-for-286).
* Alaska travels to Idaho on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Bakersfield Condors
 * Paul Willett has a 14 points (1g-13a) and is +4 in 12 games in February.
* Jason Ralph has a four-game home goal streak (4g) dating back to February 8.
* Bakersfield travels to Roanoke on Tuesday and Fresno on Friday before hosting Las Vegas on Saturday and South Carolina on Sunday.

Fresno Falcons
 * Mike Brusseau is 2-0-1 with a 3.88 goals against average in his last three games.
* Kris Porter leads the team with 23 assists, 33 points and 12 power-play points (3g-9a).
* Fresno travels to Las Vegas on Tuesday and Sunday and Long Beach on Saturday while hosting San Diego on Wednesday and Bakersfield on Friday.

Idaho Steelheads
 * Scott Burt became the third Steelhead to tally a hat trick this season in Saturday's 7-5 win at Toledo.
* Blair Allison is 8-0-2 with a 1.78 goals against average and a shutout in 11 home games.
* Idaho hosts Alaska on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Las Vegas Wranglers
 * Marc Magliarditi is 15-4-1 with a 2.34 goals against average in 21 home games.
* Dave Cousineau ranks second among ECHL defensemen with nine power-play goals.
* Las Vegas hosts Fresno on Tuesday and Sunday and San Diego on Friday while traveling to Long Beach on Wednesday and Bakersfield on Saturday.

Long Beach Ice Dogs
 * Jerome Marois has five goals, two assists and is +5 in his last five games.
* T.J. Aceti is 4-4-1 with a 2.67 goals against average and a shutout in nine games in February.
* Long Beach hosts Las Vegas on Wednesday, South Carolina on Friday and Fresno on Saturday.

San Diego Gulls
 * Mark Pederson has an 18-game home point streak (17g-14a) and leads the ECHL with 36 goals.
* Greg Barber has an 11-game home point streak (8g-13a) and leads ECHL rookies with 57 points.
* San Diego travels to Fresno on Wednesday and Las Vegas on Friday before hosting South Carolina on Saturday.

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ECHL Stories from February 23, 2004


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