
Titans Clinch Second Consecutive Northeast Division Title
March 25, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release
The Titans (44-15-10) finished a remarkable week going 3-0 thanks to back-to-back wins over Roanoke and a victory over Charlotte. In doing so, the Titans clinched their second Northeast Division title in as many years. The Titans will also have home ice advantage throughout the Northern Conference Playoffs (the first three rounds). Only Louisiana (2002 Brabham Cup Champions) will finish with a higher point total this season.
This week the Titans finish up a five-game home stand with two more games beginning Wednesday night against the Richmond Renegades (31-28-10). This is the eighth and final meeting between the teams with the Titans holding a 5-2 series advantage. On Friday night, the Titans open a season-ending, home and home series with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (40-20-8). The Grainger Cup series has seen each team win four of the first eight games, but the Titans hold a 9-8 point advantage. The Titans are 2-2 at home, and 2-1-1 at Boardwalk Hall.
Bertoli Sets Franchise Record For Assists And Points In A Season:
Left wing Scott Bertoli finished a stellar week with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in helping the Titans to a 3-0 week. In last Tuesday night's 7-3 win over then-second place Charlotte, Bertoli netted his fourth game-winner of the season to go along with an assist and a +2 rating. On Friday night, he and line mates Marco Charpentier and Matt Zultek each netted a goal, two assists and a +3 rating in a 5-0 win over Roanoke. On Saturday night, Bertoli scored a power play goal and added an assist in the 4-1 win over Roanoke. Those seven points helped him set a personal high and franchise record for most assists (45) and points (68) in a season. Bertoli originally set the bar with 65 points (21 goals, 44 assists) as rookie during the 1999-2000 season, and former Titan Aniket Dhadphale (30 goals, 35 assists) tied the mark last season. He topped his personal best in goals with a tally on both Friday and Saturday night, and is also the Titans all-time leader in games played with 203.
O'Brien Continues Steady Play; Closing In On Plus/Minus Mark:
Defenseman Steve O'Brien notched at least one assist and four total in the Titans three games last week. He leads the Titans and all ECHL blue liners with a +37 rating after notching a +6 rating in the three contests. O'Brien is tied for second in assists (39), and tied for fifth in points (49) among league defenseman. If he stays on the current pace, O'Brien would shatter the Titans franchise record plus/minus set by Jed Whitchurch (+29) during the 1999-2000 season. He continues to set the franchise mark for assists and points by a defenseman in a season, and has already surpassed his career highs in assists and points. O'Brien is one goal away from matching his career high of 10 set last season.
Horachek Gets 300 Plus.....:
Head Coach Peter Horachek notched his 300th career regular season win in the Titans 7-3 win last Tuesday night over the Charlotte Checkers. Including the post season, and the back-to-back victories over Roanoke last weekend, he now has 340 as a head coach. This season's Titans' squad is the third straight team Horachek has led to 44 wins or more, and the seventh of nine teams he has coached to a .500 or better record.
âGerm' Derails The Express:
Rookie goaltender David St. Germain increased his unbeaten streak in regulation to 11 (9-0-2) thanks to back-to-back wins over Roanoke last weekend. He has 1.89 goals-against average during that span, and has allowed three or more goals only three times during the streak. St. Germain registered his first professional shutout with 20 saves on Friday night, and followed that up with a spectacular 36-save performance in a 4-1 win on Saturday night. Last season he ranked as one of the top goaltenders in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey compiling a 32-13-4 record, with three shutouts and a 3.48 goals-against average.
This Week's Practice/Game Schedule:
3/25 â Monday â Practice â 10 â 11:30 am â Sovereign Bank Arena
3/26 â Tuesday â Practice â 10 â 11:30 am â Sovereign Bank Arena
3/27 â Wednesday â Morning Skate â 10 â 10:50 am â Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Richmond 7 pm
3/28 â Thursday â Practice â 10:30 â 11:30 am â Sovereign Bank Arena
3/29 â Friday â Morning Skate â 10 â 10:50 am â Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Atlantic City 7:30 pm
3/30 â Saturday â Morning Skate â 10 â 10:50 am â Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Atlantic City 7 pm
3/31 â Sunday â Off
Upcoming Promotions
Wednesday, March 27th vs. Richmond â "Cheer Card Giveaway" â The first 2,000 fans will receive cheer cards courtesy of The Trentonian.
Saturday, March 29th vs. Atlantic City â "Fan Appreciation Night" â The Titans say thank you to their fans with giveaways throughout the evening.
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