Schultz's Third Hat Trick Caps Titans 5-4 OTW in Toledo

Published on March 3, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Titans News Release


TOLEDO, OH - The Trenton Titans, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, out-dueled the Toledo Walleye in overtime, 5-4, before 6,892 fans at the Huntington Center and in the process keep their playoff hopes alive.

Stephen Schultz continued his incredible play since returning from injury two weeks ago, finishing off a three goal night with the game winner at 2:43 of overtime. It is the sixth win in the extra session for the Titans - the most since prior to the 2006-07 season.

Down 1-0 going into the second, the Titans (24-28-4-456 points) turned to their power play for a spark - and turned quickly. They needed just 25 seconds to turn a Toledo double-minor into a 2-1 lead. Jacob Drewiskie notched his 11th just six seconds into the first powerplay. Then Schultz batted a rebound out of midair past Kent Simpson (L, 37 saves, 14-11-2-3) 19 seconds after that.

Kory Nagy made it 3-1 Titans after rocketing a sick turnaround wrister into the top right corner from the right dot at 15:56.

Trenton kept carrying the play until the momentum turned for Toledo (31-20-5-471) on its power play, when Nino Musitelli scored twice over the second and third periods. The comeback appeared complete when Walleye captain Kyle Rogers powered his 12th past Brooks Ostergard (W, 35 saves, 2-0), for the 4-3 lead.

Trenton played well all game but needed one extra push for overtime. It came on Schultz's second goal with three minutes to play. A Derrick Pallis blast hit the back wall, with Andrew Johnston's ensuing turnaround rebound shot from the endline hitting Simpson. The puck rolled up Simpson's right leg and behind him into the crease, where Schultz pushed it home for the tie.

Both sides had some good chances in the extra session, but Trenton ended things after Schultz crushed a Jacob Cepis feed from the top of the left circle, beating Simpson for the game-winner.

The hat-trick is Schultz's third in a month and second in two weeks. His power play goal increased his league-leading total to 17 and made it eight PPG over the last nine days (six games).

Trenton now heads home after a five-game, eight-day roadie, for a couple days break before tangling with Atlantic Division foe Elmira on Thursday at 7:05. The pregame show will take to the air at 6:40. All the action can be from the Voice of the Titans, "The Bronc" Daryle Dobos, on 107.7 FM (Trenton area), 1077theBronc.com and at AmericaOneSports.com.

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