Titans can't catch Royals, miss playoffs

April 5, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ – With their magic number at 5 and three games remaining, the Titans controlled their own playoff destiny. Unfortunately for the Titans, they also had to play three of their toughest opponents of the season.

The Titans got off on the right foot on Tuesday, however, as Andrew Allen keyed a 3-1 win with 28 saves against the Boardwalk Bullies. With the victory, Allen raised his home record to 17-3-2 and lowered the Titans' magic number to 3.

Trenton would hit a serious bump in their playoff chase on Friday night as they faced-off against the #1 team in the ECHL, the Wheeling Nailers. The Nailers showed why they were tops in the land with a dominating 4-1 defeat of the Titans. The loss, coupled with a dramatic 3-2 shootout win by the Reading Royals, would mean that the Titans needed to win the following night and get some help from the Toledo Storm as well.

The post-season was not meant to be for the Titans on either count, as the Reading Royals had already clinched the final spot in the Northern Division with a 3-2 win over the Storm. At Sovereign Bank Arena, the Titans fell behind the Johnstown Chiefs in the first period and could not mount the comeback in a 4-2 loss. The Titans finished the regular season 37-28-7. It was the first time in five years that the Titans failed to make playoffs.

LAST WEEK:

Tuesday, March 30 vs. Atlantic City – 7:00pm W 3-1 Sovereign Bank Arena

- The Titans clinched the "Garden State Cup" with a 3-1 win over last year's Kelly Cup Champions, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. Trenton once again dominated on the power play as goals by Mathieu Brunelle and Peter Metcalf would help the Titans stake a 2-1 lead early in the second period. Matt Zultek provided an insurance marker at 9:22 of the middle period and, in the process, broke the franchise record for goals score in a season with 35. Andrew Allen raised his home record to 17-3-2 stopping 28 of 29 Bullies shots.

Friday, April 2 vs. Wheeling – 7:30pm L 4-1 Sovereign Bank Arena

- Mark Kosick assisted on first period goals by Steve Crampton and Brad Mehalko as the Nailers went up 2-0. Despite being outshot 31-13 through two periods, the Nailers held a three-goal advantage with the help of JC Ruid's 19th goal of the season. Josh Harrold would get his first goal as a Titan early in the third to cut Wheeling's lead to two goals. Crampton's second goal of the night on an empty net with 6.1 seconds left secured the 4-1 win for the Nailers.

Saturday, April 3 vs. Johnstown – 7:00pm L 4-2 Sovereign Bank Arena

- Once again the Titans found themselves in a 2-0 hole due to a pair of goals scored by Dominic Forget in the first period. Bryce Cockburn would help the Titans answer back with a shorthanded goal at 4:01 second period to make the score 2-1 after two. In the third period, Chris Leinweber put the Chief back up by two goals with a power play goal at 3:44. Scott Bertoli cut Johnstown's lead to one again with a power play goal at 11:46, but Brent Bilodeau's empty netter clinched the 4-2 win for the Chiefs to officially eliminat the Titans from playoff contention.

Titans Streaks
· Since going 0-2 at home during the Titans opening weekend, Andrew Allen is 17-1-2 at Sovereign Bank Arena. The last time Allen lost in regulation at SBA was a 3-0 loss to Johnstown on November 8, 2003.
· By virtue of going 14-for-39 (35.9%) over their seven games at Sovereign Bank Arena, the Titans were able to vault themselves to 3rd in the ECHL on home power play (21.9%).
· The Titans home penalty kill ranked 2nd in the league, killing off 88.5% of the power plays at SBA.
· The finished in the top ten for power play (18.8% - 10th) and penalty kill (85.5 – 6th).
· The Titans finished with:
- Three 25-goal scorers: Matt Zultek (35), Mathieu Brunelle (26) and Chris Pittman (25)
- Four players with 30 assists: Scott Bertoli (42), Chris Pittman, (34), Mathieu Brunelle (30) and Matt Zultek (30)
- Four 50-point scorers: Matt Zultek (65), Scott Bertoli (61), Chris Pittman (59), Mathieu Brunelle (56).

Milestones
· #32 Matt Zultek broke the Titans record for goals scored in a season with his 35th coming at 9:22 of the 3rd period in a 3-1 win over Atlantic City on Tuesday.
· Zultek's goal was also the 75th of his ECHL career.

In the Community:

April 5 – Come down for the final episode of "Along the Boards" hosted by the voice of the Trenton Titans, Mike O'Brien. We will recap Titans' season with Titans players and staff and look ahead to next year. Call in with your questions or comments at 888.578.2428. "Along the Boards" can be heard weekly on Money Talk 1350AM from 7pm – 8pm live from Savoy's on Route 130 in Yardville, NJ.

Leaders:
Goals: Matt Zultek – 35
Assists: Scott Bertoli – 42
Points: Matt Zultek – 65
Plus/Minus: Vince Williams - +14
PIM: Matt Zultek – 217
Wins: Andrew Allen – 24
Minutes: Andrew Allen – 2,629
GAA: Chris Houle – 2.36
Save Pct.: Chris Houle - .919



ECHL Stories from April 5, 2004


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