Titans get ready for conference final against Alaska

May 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ – After gaining a split in the first two games of the North Division Final against the Reading Royals, the Trenton Titans swept both games at Sovereign Bank Arena to clinch the best-of-five series, 3-1.

Matt Zultek scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory over the Royals on Wednesday to give Trenton a 2-1 series lead. The Titans then came from behind in a 4-3 win to seal the series and a spot in the National Conference Final against the Alaska Aces.

Trenton heads to Alaska for Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday, the returns to Sovereign Bank Arena for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday.

LAST WEEK: Titans Defeat Reading, 3-1

Wednesday, April 27 vs. Reading, W 3-2 (OT)
Sovereign Bank Arena
- Matt Zultek scored the deciding goal 5:53 into the overtime for a 3-2 win versus Reading. With the score tied 1-1 in the third period, Rick Kowalsky scored his third power play goal of the postseason to give Trenton a one-goal lead. David Masse answered for the Royals on the man advantage with 3:39 in the regulation to send the game into overtime.

Friday, April 29 vs. Reading, W 4-3
Sovereign Bank Arena
- The Titans scored three, third period goals in a span of 7:28 to battle back from a two-goal deficit and gain a 4-3 victory. Down 3-1 in the final frame, Leon Hayward started the come back with a marker 1:30 into the period. Stephen Wood then notched a power play goal to tie the score 3-3, leading to Scott Bertoli's eventual game-winner scored 10:02 left in regulation.

National Conference Final vs. Alaska:

· Game 1 - Tuesday, May 3 @ Sullivan Center, 11:15pm (EDT) – MoneyTalk 1350AM

· Game 2 - Wednesday, May 4 @ Sullivan Center, 11:15pm (EDT) – MoneyTalk 1350AM

· Game 3 - Saturday, May 7 @ Sovereign Bank Arena, 7:00pm – 91.3FM WTSR

· Game 4 - Sunday, May 8 @ Sovereign Bank Arena, 5:00pm – MoneyTalk 1350AM

· Game 5 (if necessary) – Tuesday, May 10 @ Sovereign Bank Arena, 7:00pm – MoneyTalk 1350AM

· Game 6 (if necessary) – Friday, May 13 @ Sullivan Arena, 11:15pm (EDT) – 91.3FM WTSR

· Game 7 (if necessary) – Monday, May 10 @ Sullivan Arena, 11:15pm (EDT) – MoneyTalk 1350AM

· This is the first postseason meeting for Trenton and Alaska.
· The Titans and Aces last faced-off in the 2004 pre-season (1-0-1).
· Trenton swept Atlantic City (3-0) and defeated Reading (3-1) to reach the Conference Final
· This marks the first time the Titans have advanced to the Conference Final since 2001.
· The Titans are 28-22 all-time in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
· Alaska downed Bakersfield (3-2) and swept Long Beach (3-0) to reach the Conference Final.
· The Aces are 10-5 all-time in Kelly Cup Playoffs.
· Trenton was 1-2-1 against West Division teams.
· Alaska went 7-0-1 versus North Division opponents.
· Coach Mike Haviland is 28-14 all-time in the postseason (.667 win pct).
· Haviland is the 17th coach in ECHL history to direct two different teams to the postseason.
· Haviland now ranks 3rd in the ECHL for most career playoff wins (28).
· Haviland is 5th in ECHL with 42 playoff games coached.

Practice/Game Schedule:
Sunday, May 1 – Travel Day
Monday, May 2 – Practice @ Sullivan Arena – 11:30pm
Tuesday, May 3 – Pre-game skate @ Sullivan Arena – 11:00am
Game vs. Alaska – 11:15pm (EDT)
Wednesday, May 4 – Pre-game skate @ Sullivan Arena – 11:00am
Game vs. Alaska – 11:15pm (EDT)
Travel to Trenton
Thursday, May 5 – Travel Day
Friday, May 6 – Practice @ Iceland – Hamilton, NJ – 10:30am
Saturday, May 7 – Pre-game skate @ Iceland – Hamilton, NJ – 10:00am
Game vs. Alaska – 7:00pm
Sunday, May 8 – Pre-game skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena – 10:00am
Game vs. Alaska – 5:00pm
Monday, May 9 – TBD

TITANS BROADCAST INFO:
Tune in as the voice of the Titans, Mike O'Brien brings you all of the Titans hockey action on WHWH-Money Talk 1350 AM on Sunday through Thursday and WSTR-91.3 FM on Friday and Saturday. Fans can also watch or listen in on the Titans website, www.trentontitans.com.

B2 Networks also brings you live action for Titans playoff games. Go to www.trentontitans.com and click the Watch the Game Live icon to view and listen to the game. These broadcasts are available for a charge of $6 per game. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.

Titans Notables
· The Titans are 6-0 in the playoffs when allowing 3 goals or less.
· Rick Kowalsky is on a six-game point streak (4g, 6a) and is tied for 4th in ECHL postseason scoring with 10 points and 2nd with 7 power play points.
· Kowalsky is also a riding a three-game, road scoring streak (3g).
· Scott Bertoli is also tied for 4th in ECHL postseason scoring with 10 points, ranks 3rd with 7 assists and 1st with 8 power play points.
· Scott Bertoli, Rick Kowalsky and Michael Schutte are all tied for the league lead with 3 power play goals in the playoffs.
· Michael Schutte and Stephen Wood lead ECHL defenseman in the playoffs with 4 power play points.
· The Titans rank tops in the postseason on the power play at 32.4% (11-for-34).
· Trenton has the best record in postseason play in one-goal games (5-0-0).

Leaders – Postseason:
Goals: Rick Kowalsky - 4
Assists: Scott Bertoli - 7
Points: Scott Bertoli, Rick Kowalsky - 10
Plus/Minus: Rosario Ruggeri - +3
PIM: Leon Hayward - 14
Wins: Andrew Allen - 6
GAA: Andrew Allen – 2.20
Save Pct.: Andrew Allen - .930

Team Stats – Postseason:
Record: 6-1-0
Home: 4-0-0
Away: 2-1-0
Power Play: 11 for 34 – 32.4% (1st)
Penalty Kill: 32 for 37 – 82.1% (10th)

Leaders – Regular Season:
Goals: Scott Bertoli - 27
Assists: Scott Bertoli - 41
Points: Scott Bertoli - 68
Plus/Minus: Nick Deschenes - +21
PIM: Matt Zultek - 231
Wins: Andrew Allen - 30
GAA: Andrew Allen - 2.36
Save Pct.: Andrew Allen - .916

Team Stats – Regular Season:
Record: 42-21-9, 93 pts (2nd, North Division)
Home: 23-9-4
Away: 19-12-5
Power Play: 55 for 316– 17.4% (11th)
Penalty Kill: 279 for 339 – 82.3% (18th)



ECHL Stories from May 2, 2005


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