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Titans Close Out Bullies 4-3 In Overtime

April 17, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


Atlantic City, NJ – The Trenton Titans exercised the demons of years past and closed the book on one of the best rivalries in the ECHL by defeating the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 4-3 in overtime to sweep the North Division Semifinals three games to none. Scott Bertoli fed a nifty pass across the crease to Nick Deschenes in the slot who tipped in the game-winning goal at 11:59 of the extra session to set off a massive on-ice celebration by the Titans.

"Every game was a great game in this series," said Trenton Head Coach Mike Haviland. "We took a lead, and they battled back, and somehow we found a way to get it done. It's really enjoyable to be around this group right now because of their business-like attitude and their will to win."

Trenton opened the game with a pair of power play goals in the first period. Rick Kowalsky tipped in Brent Robinson's rebound in front of Bullies goaltender Trevor Koenig just 1:01 into the period to give the Titans a 1-0 lead. Scott Bertoli netted the second Titans tally when he collected the loose puck to the right of the crease and tucked it around the outside post at 13:12 for a 2-0 advantage. Atlantic City responded when Mathew Deschamps picked off a Trenton clearing attempt and fed an open Jason Notermann in the slot. Notermann went to his backhand and lifted a shot over Titans goaltender Andrew Allen's left shoulder at 16:20 to cut the deficit to 2-1 after twenty minutes

The Bullies battled back in the second period to gain the equalizer. Allen made the first save on Brian Fahey's slap shot from the left point, but the rebound kicked out to Notermann in the slot and he snapped it past Allen at 9:48 on the power play to tie the game at 2-2. The two teams exchanged goals in the third period. Michael Schutte beat Koenig along the ice with a slap shot from the center blue line at 54 seconds on the power play to give the Titans a 3-2 lead. But the Bullies would counter at 8:48 with a power play goal of their own when Shawn Mather found the bouncing puck on his stick in the high slot and ripped a wrist shot past Allen to tie the game at 3-3.

"I think that's a great team over there," said Atlantic City Head Coach Matt Thomas. "I thought we could beat them, but I knew we needed a lot of bounces and a lot of luck. I think they have a great chance to win the championship."

Atlantic City out-shot Trenton for the game 39-36. Allen turned aside 36 shots to pick up his third win of the series. The Titans won the special teams battle by going 3-7 on the power play while the Bullies went 2-5.

This game marked the final chapter in the storied Bullies-Titans rivalry. Atlantic City will relocate to Stockton, California for the 2005-06 season. The Bullies won the all-time series against Trenton 25-20-4.

Trenton will play the winner of the Reading-Toledo series.

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