Split Zeros

Published on March 8, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY - WEEK RECORD: 1-1 - SEASON RECORD: 39-14-5 - 2nd NORTHERN

BULLIES REWIND: The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies went 1-1 last week dropping a 4-0 decision to the Johnstown Chiefs on Saturday, but bouncing back with a 3-0 shutout win over the Reading Royals on Sunday. Despite picking up 2 points, the Bullies fell 4 points further behind the first place Wheeling Nailers, who swept their weekend set and have now won an ECHL-high 10 straight games. The Nailers hold a 9-point edge over the Bullies for the top spot in the Northern Division, while the Bullies have two games in hand.

Saturday, Steve Hildenbrand tallied 2 goals and 2 assists and David Currie stopped all 28 shots he faced for his third shutout of the year as the Johnstown Chiefs defeated the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 4-0 before 2835 at the War Memorial. Johnstown opened the scoring with a pair of goals in the first period. Jason Notterman fed a wide-open Steve Hildenbrand stepping out of the penalty box, and Hildenbrand slipped the puck though Bullies goaltender Scott Stirling at 13:53 for a 1-0 lead. The Chiefs would extend their lead to 2-0 1:01 seconds later at 14:54. Off a turnover, Hildenbrand faked a shot and slid the puck to a wide-open Dominic Forget to the left of the net, and Forget tapped it by Stirling for the tally. Forget netted his second of the game at 13:54 of the second on the power play, taking a cross-ice feed from Notterman and slapping it top shelf by Stirling for a 3-0 lead. Hildenbrand capped the scoring with his second goal of the game at 8:03 of the third period. Stirling stopped 24 shots in suffering his 10th loss of the year. The Bullies went 0-6 on the power play.

Sunday, Luke Curtin tallied a pair of goals and Scott Stirling stopped all 34 shots he faced for his fourth shutout of the season and 14th of his career as the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies defeated the Reading Royals 3-0 before 5346 at the Sovereign Center in ECHL action on Sunday. Curtin opened the scoring for the Bullies at 9:25 of the first, taking a cross-ice feed and firing a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Royals goaltender Peter Hamerlik for a 1-0 lead. The Bullies would extend their advantage to 2-0 at 13:29 of the first on the power play when Brian Fahey found Curtin in the slot, and Curtin tipped the puck by Hamerlik for the tally. Pierre-Luc Sleigher added some insurance in the third period when he slapped home Aaron Foster's rebound by Hamerlik at 4:45 for a 3-0 lead. The Bullies out-shot the Royals for the game 43-34 and went 1-8 on the power play.

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 Scott Stirling who recorded his fourth shutout of the season and 14th of his career. Honorable mention goes out to Luke Curtin who netted a pair of goals in Sunday's win at Reading. Previous recent winners below include:

1/5/04: Brian Fahey (3 goals, GW goal)
1/12/04: Luke Curtin (4 goals, 4 assists)
1/19/04: Stefan Rivard (4 goals, 1 assist)
1/27/04: Aaron Foster (3 goals, 1 assist, 2 GW goals)
2/2/04: Jim Henkel (3 goals, 1 assist)
2/9/04: Jake Moreland (career-high 35 saves against Reading)
2/16/04: Luke Curtin (4 goals, 2 assists)
2/23/04: Scott Horvath (4 goals, 1 assist)
3/1/04: Jon Cullen (1 goal, 4 assists)

THE NOT SO LUCKY "14": Jon Cullen saw his season-high 13-game scoring streak come to a conclusion in the shutout loss at Johnstown on Saturday. The streak is currently the longest for any Bullie this season, and ranks as the second longest in the ECHL behind Mark Pederson's 20-game scoring streak in San Diego. Cullen, who before Saturday had tallied a point in every game since February 1, finished the streak with 6 goals and 10 assists.

BOMBS AWAY: The 27 shots fired on goal by the Bullies in the first period of Sunday's win was a season-high for shots on goal in a period, eclipsing the previous mark of 25 in the second period set back on November 14 vs. Las Vegas. The total fell two shots shy of the ECH-high for shots on goal in a period this season of 29 set by the Louisiana Ice Gators twice on January 16 and January 17.

MAGIC NUMBERS: The Bullies magic number for clinching a playoff spot for the third consecutive season is 6. Any combination of Bullies wins and Trenton losses in regulation equaling 6 guarantees the Bullies a spot in the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The magic number will be revised if either team accumulates points for overtime or shootout losses. Coincidentally, 6 more wins will give the Bullies their highest win total in franchise history, surpassing the mark of 44 that has stood since the 1993-94 season, the longest standing record in franchise history.

CURTIN CALL: Top scorer Luke Curtin broke out of a mini goal-scoring drought with a pair of markers in Sunday's win at Reading. Curtin has 31 goals on the season, one away from tying a career-high. The Roseville, MN native is also one point away from tying his career-best of 75 points back in 1999-00 with Baton Rouge. Prior to Sunday, Curtin had just 1 goal in his last 7 games.

BULLIES COMMENCE THEIR "QUEST FOR THE CUP": The Bullies begin their "Quest For the Cup" presented by Swingers at Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, a five part radio show that debuts tonight from 7-8PM on ESPN Radio 1450. Join us live on location at Swingers Bar inside the Sands Casino for a weekly inside look at the Boardwalk Bullies as they begin their march to repeat as Kelly Cup Champions. That's "Quest For the Cup", tonight from 7-8PM on ESPN Radio 1450.

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 produced a pair of power play goals last week to run their season total to 63, good for $3,150 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 will be in action three times this week, including a home-and-home series with the first place Wheeling Nailers. The Bullies will host Wheeling at 7:05PM on Wednesday at Boardwalk Hall, followed by a re-match at 7:30PM on Friday from WesBanco Arena in Wheeling. The Bullies conclude the week with another visit to the Sovereign Center on Saturday to battle the Reading Royals. Game time is 7:05PM. Catch Friday and Saturday's game live on ESPN Radio 1450AM and on the Surfer Network at www.boardwalkbullies.com beginning with the pre-game show 20 minutes prior to face-off with Dan Weiss.

Every Wednesday home game this season is a Wild Wednesday sponsored by Coors Light and Molson Canadian. All college students, casino workers, military and service industry personnel get in for just $6! Enjoy great Coors Light and Molson Canadian draught beer all night for just $2! Re-live disco fever this Wednesday as the Bullies celebrate "70's Night" at Boardwalk Hall. For more information or to order tickets, call (609) 348-PUCK.

BULLIES SCHEDULE WEEK OF MARCH 8th

Monday, March 8: Workout 10:30AM-12PM

Tuesday, March 9: Practice 10:30AM-12PM @ Flyers SkateZone

Wednesday, March 10: Morning Skate 10AM; Bullies vs. Wheeling 7:05PM

Thursday, March 11: Practice 11:30AM-1PM @ Flyers SkateZone; Depart for Wheeling 2PM

Friday, March 12: Morning Skate 11:15AM; Bullies @ Wheeling 7:30PM

Saturday, March 13: Morning Skate 11:15AM; Bullies @ Reading 7:05PM

Sunday, March 14: "Face-Off Against Kids Cancer" - Sunday Sundae Social 2PM-4PM

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ECHL Stories from March 8, 2004


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