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Titans go 1-2-1, still in playoff picture

February 23, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ – The Titans came into the week of play in sixth place and nine points behind the Johnstown Chiefs for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northern Division.

After six consecutive games on the road, the Titans returned home for a two-game set against the Bakersfield Condors. Facing off on Tuesday night, the Titans outshot the Condors 36-9, but found themselves on the wrong side of scoreboard advantage 3-2.

Trenton came back strong on Friday with a decisive 5-0 win over Bakersfield. Andrew made 18 saves in recording his third shutout of the season.

The Titans then hit the road for two games against divisional opponents. Saturday night's contest saw the Johnstown Chiefs out shoot the Titans 41-11 in a 4-2 for Trenton.

The Titans then traveled to the Sovereign Center to try and hand the Reading Royals their second home loss of the season. Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the Royals clinched it in the shootout for a 3-2 win.

The Trenton Titans find themselves still in sole possession of sixth place in the Northern Division and now ten points behind the Johnstown Chiefs. The Titans host the Johnstown Chiefs on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm and then the Dayton Bombers on Friday, February 27 at 7:30pm. The Titans then begin a swing of nine consecutive road games. They'll head down to Boardwalk Hall for a meeting with the Boardwalk Bullies on Saturday, February 28 at 7:05pm and then continue on to Johnstown on Sunday, February 29 to take on the Chiefs at 2:30pm.

LAST WEEK:

Tuesday, February 17 @ Bakersfield – 7:00pm L 3-2 Sovereign Bank Arena

- Chris Houle's return to the Titans was marred by the Condors, as they netted three goals on seven shots through a period and a half. Devin Rask put the Titans up 1-0 just 4:05 into the game, but Andrew Ianiero's 14th of the year just :32 later knotted the game at 1-1. Bakersfield would add two more in second chasing Houle from game. Chris Pittman tallied his 50th ECHL goal on the power play to pull the Titans within one, but that's as close as they would get, despite outshooting the Condors 36-9. The Titans set season lows allowing only 9 shots in the game and just 1 in the third period.

Friday, February 20 vs. Bakersfield– 7:30pm W 5-0 Sovereign Bank Arena

- The Titans got the better of the Condors on this night as Chris Pittman had two goals and an assist in 5-0 win. Pittman's power play goal at 3:47 of the second proved to be the game-winner as the Trenton 2 for 4 with the man advantage. Matt Zultek chipped in a goal and two assists for his third three-point night of the season. Andrew Allen made 18 saves for his third shutout of the year.

Saturday, February 21 @ Johnstown – 7:00pm L 4-2 Cambria County War Memorial

- Things looked good early for the Titans when Tyler Kindle scored 1:45 into the contest. The remaining 58:15 proved to be a different story. Jeff Zehr and Brent Kelly tallied goals for the Chiefs in the second period as Johnstown held a 26-7 shot advantage after forty minutes of hockey. The managed just four shots in the third as Chad Cavanaugh and Steve Hildenbrand extended the Chiefs lead. Bryce Cockburn netted a short handed goal in the third period to cut the lead to two goals. It was the second shorthanded goal in tow games for the Titans and their 12th of the season, ranking second in the ECHL. The Titans 11 shots for the game was a season low.

Sunday, February 22 @ Reading – 5:05 pm SO-L 3-2 Sovereign Center

- Cody Rudkowsky turned away 32 shots through the overtime and saved 4 of 4 in the shootout to give the Royals the 3-2 win, their sixth versus the Titans this season. Down 2-1, Jeff Smith stole an outlet pass and put a slapshot through Rudkowsky's five-hole to tie the game with just 2:24 remaining. The Titans dominated the overtime period, outshooting the Royals 7-2, but Chris Pittman's would-be game-winner clanged of the cross bar. Lars Petterson and David Masse converted their chances in the shootout to clinch the win for Reading.

THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, February 25 vs. Johnstown – 7:00pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The fifth match-up of the year for the Chiefs and Titans. The Titans are 1-3 versus the Chiefs this season and 1-1 at Sovereign Bank Arena. Shawn Mather has 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games against the Titans.

Friday, February 27 vs. Dayton– 7:30pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The fifth game of seven games between the two clubs with series knotted at 2-2. Last time out, the Titans handed the Bomber a 4-1 defeat at Sovereign Bank Arena.

Saturday, February 28 @ Atlantic City – 7:05pm Boardwalk Hall

- The eighth of ten for the Bullies and the Titans. The Bullies have won the last three to lead the season series 4-3. The Titans are 1-3 at Boardwalk Hall.

Sunday, February 29 @ Johnstown – 2:30pm Cambria County War Memorial

- The sixth of nine contests and the second of the week. The Titans are 0-1 at the War Memorial after falling 4-2 on 2/21/04. The Titans lead the all-time series 20-8-4.

TITANS BROADCAST INFO:

Tune into all Trenton Titans games on their flagship radio station, Money Talk 1350AM or listen in on the Titans website, www.trentontitans.com. The voice of the Titans, Mike O'Brien will bring of your Titans hockey action.

Titans Streaks
· #9 BJ Kilbourne is on a four game home point streak (2g, 4a) and also has 12 points (4g, 8a) in his last 10 games.
· #32 Matt Zultek is on a five game home goal-scoring streak (5g) and a seven game home point scoring streak (5g, 7a).
· The Titans are 5-1-3 in their last 10 home games.
· The Titans have given up only one power play goal in their last five games (18 for 19, 94.7%).
· #24 Mathieu Brunelle has 15 points (7g, 8a) in his last five home games.
· #29 Andrew Allen has started 10 games in a row and is 6-3-1 with a 2.80 GAA during that time.

Milestones
· #19 Scott Bertoli is just four goals away from scoring his 100th as a Titan and 2 points away from his 200th as a Titan
· #20 Chris Pittman is one shy of his 50th ECHL goal.
· #28 Jay Leach is one away from his 50th ECHL point.

In the Community:

February 23 – Tune into "Along the Boards" hosted by the voice of the Trenton Titans, Mike O'Brien. Tonight's guests will be #2 Vince Williams and #22 Ryan O'Keefe. 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 in Yardville, NJ

Practice/Game Schedule:
Monday, February 23 – Off
Tuesday, February 24 – Practice, 10:15am – 12:15pm @ Iceland, Hamilton, NJ
Wednesday, February 25 – Pre-game skate, 10:00am @ Sovereign Bank Arena Game vs. Johnstown – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 26 – Practice, 10:15am – 12:15pm @ Iceland, Hamilton, NJ
Friday, February 27 – Pre-game skate, 10:00am @ Sovereign Bank Arena Game vs. Dayton – 7:30pm
Saturday, February 28 – Pre-game skate, 10:15am @ Iceland, Hamilton, NJ Game @ Atlantic City – 7:05pm
Sunday, February 29 Game @ Johnstown – 2:30pm
Monday, March 1 – Off

Transactions:
02/16/2004 Add P.J. MARTIN (D) returned from Springfield (AHL)
02/16/2004 Delete CHRIS PITTMAN (C) loaned to Binghamton(AHL)
02/17/2004 Add CHRIS PITTMAN (C) returned from Binghamton(AHL)
02/17/2004 Add CHRIS HOULE (G) assigned by Philadelphia(AHL)
02/18/2004 Add JAY LEACH (D) returned from Bridgeport(AHL)
02/18/2004 Delete CHRIS HOULE (G) recalled by Philadelphia(AHL)
02/18/2004 Delete MATHIEU BRUNELLE (LW) recalled by Philadelphia(AHL)
02/19/2004 Add CHRIS HOULE (G) assigned by Philadelphia(AHL)
02/19/2004 Add MATHIEU BRUNELLE (LW) assigned by Philadelphia(AHL)
02/20/2004 Delete CHRIS HOULE (G) recalled to Philadelphia (AHL)
02/22/2004 Delete JAY LEACH (D) loaned to Philadelphia (AHL)



ECHL Stories from February 23, 2004


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