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Simply Invincible!

January 12, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


BULLIES REWIND: The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies swept three games in three nights to close within three points of the Wheeling Nailers and run their unbeaten streak in regulation to a season-high 11 games. After yesterday, the Bullies have three games in hand over the Nailers.

Thursday, the Bullies opened their first three games in three nights stretch of the season with a 5-2 win over the Dayton Bombers before 2154 at the Nutter Center. Atlantic City struck first as Jon Cullen rifled a shot from the right-wing circle behind Dayton goaltender Andrew Penner at 3:51 of the first period on the power play for a 1-0 lead. Brian Fahey would give the Bullies a 2-0 lead when his slap shot found the back of the net at 13:01 of the first, also on the power play. Dayton would cut the deficit in half 27 seconds later at 13:28 when Alex Johnstone found himself open alone in front of the net and tipped the puck by Bullies goaltender Scott Stirling to make the score 2-1. But the Bullies would rally for two goals in the second period. First, Luke Curtin gave the Bullies a 3-1 advantage at 3:46 with a shorthanded goal, his fourth shorthanded goal of the season. Sam Paolini would make it a 4-1 game when he collected Scott Horvath's rebound and slapped it by Penner at 12:28 even-strength. Scott Cameron would bring the Bombers to within two at 11:39 of the third period with a shorthanded tally, but the Bullies would finish off Dayton as Curtin fired the puck into the empty-net at 19:19 to make the final score 5-2. Dayton out-shot the Bullies by a count of 38-24. Stirling tied a season-high with 36 saves. The Bullies went 2-5 on the power play.

Friday, Luke Curtin continued his torrid play with a goal and two assists, his third consecutive three-point game, as the Bullies defeated the Roanoke Express 5-1 before 2710 at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Bullies opened the scoring at 16:02 of the first period on the power play when Curtin's blast from the high slot found its way through traffic and behind Roanoke goalie Jason Wolfe to give the Bullies a 1-0 lead. Atlantic City exploded for three goals in the second frame on 19 shots. First, Josh Prudden tucked home the puck off the blocker of Wolfe at 7:49 to give the Bullies a 2-0 lead. 51 seconds later, Aaron Foster buried home his third goal of the season at 8:40 from Stefan Rivard for a 3-0 lead. The Bullies capped off the period when Jon Cullen slid the puck from the left corner into the slot and Pierre-Luc Sleigher tipped it by an out of position Wolfe at 16:17 to give Atlantic City a 4-0 advantage at the end of two periods. Roanoke would break into the scoreboard early in the third period when Duncan Dalmao set up Rick Kowalsky in front of the net, and Kowalsky on a one-timer buried the puck behind Bullies goaltender Jake Moreland at 2:18 to cut the deficit to 4-1. However, John Longo would finish off the Express with a blast over the right shoulder of Wolfe at 9:00 to make the final score 5-1. The Bullies out-shot the Express for the game 46-28. Jake Moreland stopped 27 shots for his 4th win of the season. The Bullies went 1-5 on the power play.

Saturday, Jon Cullen tallied a goal and chipped in two assists and Scott Stirling stopped all 31 shots he faced as the Bullies shutout the Greensboro Generals 4-0 before 7349 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Stefan Rivard opened the scoring for the Bullies at 10:25 of the first period on the power play when he stuffed home Jon Cullen's centering feed by Greensboro goaltender Daniel Berthiaume to give Atlantic City a 1-0 lead. In the second period, the Bullies would break the game open with three goals in a span of 1:54 seconds. First, Luke Curtin would tip the puck home by Berthiaume off a Greensboro turnover behind the net at 10:35 for a 2-0 advantage. Cullen would get into the scoring act 31 seconds later at 11:06 when he batted the puck out of mid-air by Berthiaume to give Atlantic City a 3-0 lead. Danny Eberly would cap off the flurry at 12:29 when his blast off the face-off win by John Longo beat Berthiaume over the right shoulder and the Bullies had themselves a 4-0 lead after two periods. Stirling hung tough in the third period as Greensboro could put nothing by him, and Atlantic City would go on for the 4-0 win. Stirling stopped all 33 Greensboro shots for his 20th win of the season. The Bullies went 1-6 on the power play and have now scored a power play goal in 18 of their last 19 games.

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 once again forward Luke Curtin who registered consecutive multiple point games throughout the week. Curtin finished the week with 4 goals and 4 assists. Honorable mention goes out to forward Jon Cullen also finished with 8 points on the trip tallying 2 goals and 6 assists. Previous winners below include:

10/20/03: Jim Henkel (4 goals, 2 assists)
10/27/03: Luke Curtin (1 goal, 2 assists)
11/3/03: Brian Fahey (0 goals, 5 assists)
11/10/03: Scott Stirling (55 shots, 53 saves)
11/17/03: Matt Hubbauer (1 goal, first professional)
11/24/03: Jon Cullen (2 goals, 3 assists)
12/1/03: Josh Prudden (1 goal, 2 assists)
12/8/03: Luke Curtin (2 goals, 6 assists)
12/15/03: Stefan Rivard (1 goal, 3 assists, 400 Career Points)
12/22/03: Scott Stirling (35 shots, 33 saves, 100 Career Wins)
12/29/03: Luke Curtin (2 goals, 3 assists, OT GW goal)
1/5/03: Brian Fahey (3 goals, GW goal)

MINNESOTA MIRACLES: Minnesota natives Luke Curtin and Jon Cullen are both currently playing their best hockey of the season over this recent 11-game stretch. Curtin had 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in his last 11 games. He has scored in 9 out of the last 11 games with multiple points in 8 of those contests. Over his last 16 games, Curtin has an astonishing 30 points on 12 goals and 18 assists. He is tied with Louis Dumont of Mississippi and J.F. Dufor of Wheeling for 8th in the ECHL scoring race. Cullen meanwhile has 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) in his last 11 games with a point in 9 of those games and multiple points in 7 games. Cullen has 28 points with 11 goals and 17 assists over his last 21 games.

AWFULLY SPECIAL TEAMS: Much of the Bullies recent success stems from their special teams. The Bullies have tallied a power play goal in 6 straight games and 18 out of their last 19 overall. Over the course of this 11 game unbeaten streak, the Bullies are 14-53 with the power play, a 26.4% efficiency rate. They have climbed all the way into a three-way tie for 7th overall on the power play at 19.7%. Meanwhile, the Bullies penalty kill has surrendered just 3 power play goals in their last 49 chances, a 93.8% efficiency rate, and have also climbed up to 4th in the ECHL at 87.6%. The Bullies have also tallied 4 of their 9 shorthanded goals over the last 11 games.

WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN? Goaltender Scott Stirling has given up a paltry 14 goals in his last 11 starts, a 1.27 goals against average. After his third shutout of the season on Saturday at Greensboro, Stirling is 10-1-0 in those starts and 20-7-1 overall on the year. His 20 wins and 1.69 goals against average are both tops in the ECHL, while his .940% save percentage ranks him second only behind Chris Houle of Trenton. Saturday's shutout was Stirling' s 12th of his career.

SECOND HELPINGS: The Bullies most dominant period this season has been the second where they've outscored their opponents 49-27. The 49 goals tallied are second most behind Mississippi, while the 22-goal differential is the highest of any period in the ECHL. The next highest goal differential of any period is 18 held by Mississippi, 52-34 in the third period. The Bullies continued the trend last week outscoring their opponents 8-0 in the second period and out-shooting them 42-24.

NUMBERS GAME: The Bullies are a perfect 15-0 this season when Luke Curtin scores a goal...Atlantic City is 20-1 when scoring the game's opening goal and 20-1 when leading after two periods

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 tallied 4 more power play goals last week to run their season total to 37, good for $1,850 dollars towards the Power Play for United Way.

STAY ONLINE WITH THE BULLIES: Follow the Bullies throughout the season by pointing your computer mouse to www.boardwalkbullies.com. You can read game updates, get to know your favorite Bullies, and find out where "Wooly" and the team will be appearing next. Click and score with www.boardwalkbullies.com!

UP NEXT: The defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champions host the Trenton Titans at 7:05PM on Friday and the Charlotte Checkers at 2:05PM on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall. Sunday, the Bullies travel to Wheeling to battle the first place Nailers at 6PM at the WesBanco Arena. Catch Sunday's game live on ESPN Radio 1450AM and all three games live on the Surfer Network at www.boardwalkbullies.com beginning with the pre-game show 20 minutes prior to face-off with Dan Weiss.

Friday is "Eagles Night" at Boardwalk Hall as the Bullies pay tribute to the NFC Regular Season Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Wear your Eagles green and white and join "Swoop" as the Bullies help root on the Eagles to the Super Bowl. Saturday, celebrate a new tradition as "Hockey Afternoon In Atlantic City" returns to Boardwalk Hall. Bring the entire family out and enjoy hockey the way it was mean to be in South Jersey! For more information or to order tickets, call (609) 348-PUCK.

BULLIES SCHEDULE WEEK OF JANUARY 12TH

Monday, January 12: Off Day

Tuesday, January 13: Practice 10:30AM-12PM @ Flyers SkateZone

Wednesday, January 14: Practice 10:30AM-12PM

Thursday, January 15: Practice 10:30AM-12PM

Friday, January 16: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Trenton 7:05PM ("Eagles Night")

Saturday, January 17: Bullies vs. Charlotte 2:05PM; Depart for Wheeling 5PM

Sunday, January 18: Morning Skate 11:15AM; Bullies @ Wheeling 6PM



ECHL Stories from January 12, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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