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Titans go .500 on West Coast

February 10, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ – The Titans came into the week of play in sixth place and looking to close the nine-point gap between themselves and the Reading Royals for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northern Division. With as many as four games in hand over their division rivals, the Titans began the process of making them up starting with five games in six nights during their West Coast road trip.

The Titans began the week on a Tuesday taking on the Las Vegas Wranglers at Orleans Arena. Despite falling behind early, the Titans were able to battle back before falling 3-2 in overtime.

The team then immediately hit the road for Fresno for a two game set against the Falcons. On Wednesday night, Bryce Cockburn was the hero with two goals in a 3-2 win. On Friday night, the Titans were able to triumph 6-4 in a high scoring affair and take two of two from the Falcons.

Playing their fourth game in five nights, fatigue began to catch up with the Titans as they were shut out 2-0 by TJ Aceti and the Long Beach Ice Dogs.

With a win, however, the next night in Bakersfield, the Titans would still be able to come away from their trip within four points of the Reading Royals. It was not meant to be as the Condors defeated the Titans 4-2, giving Trenton a 2-2-1 record over their West Coast tour.

The Trenton Titans find themselves still in sole possession of sixth place in the Northern Division. They will play their sixth consecutive game on the road as they take on the Reading Royals at the Sovereign Center on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:05pm. The Titans then return home to Sovereign Bank Arena to host two games versus the Cincinnati Cyclones on Friday, February 13 at 7:30pm and Saturday, February 14 at 7:00pm.

LAST WEEK:

Tuesday, February 3 vs. Las Vegas OTL 3-2 Orleans Arena

- The Trenton Titans began their five-game West Coast road trip on Tuesday night against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Though the Titans looked to extend their five game undefeated streak, it did not appear that it was meant to be as the Titans fell behind early in the first period on goals by Chris Kenady and Darren Partch. The Titans refused to go away, however, as PJ Martin netted a powerplay goal in the second period and Devin Rask scored even strength in the third to make the score 2-2. With time counting down in the third period, Matt Zultek was called for high-sticking at 19:42 to give the Wranglers a 4-on-3 advantage in overtime. There, Dave Cousineau ripped a one-timer past Andrew Allen to hand Trenton a 3-2 overtime loss.

Wednesday, February 4 vs. Fresno W 3-2 Save Mart Center

- The Titans got back in the win column thanks to the two goals by Bryce Cockburn, including the shorthanded game winner in the third period. Cockburn notched an even strength goal assisted by BJ Kilbourne in the first period to give the Titans the 1-0 lead. Kilbourne put the Titans up by two in the second period working the give and go for Kilbourne's 3rd tally of the season. The Falcons would battle back as Kory Mullin cut the Titans lead to one goal midway through the period. Cockburn put the game away for the Titans with a shorthanded breakaway goal 1:40 later. Andrew Allen made 25 saves to raise the Titans undefeated streak to seven games.

Friday, February 6 vs. Fresno W 6-4 Save Mart Center

- For the second night in a row, a shorthanded goal proved to be the gamewinner as Matt Zultek's 21st goal of the season broke a 4-4 tie in the third period. The game was a back and forth match-up which saw BJ Kilbourne net the first goal on the evening just seven seconds in. The Titans and Falcons would trade two goals each during the remainder of the first period and the Titans headed into the locker room with a 3-2 lead. Once again, the Falcons clawed their way back as Jason Weaver and Boris Protsenko both scored in the second period to send it into the final frame knotted up 4-4. Zutlek took it from there with the shorthanded gamewinner and an insurance goal on the power play. Zutlek also notched two assists for his second four-point game of the season

Saturday, February 7 vs. Long Beach L 2-0 Long Beach Arena

- With the Reading Royals having lost to the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies earlier in the day, the Titans hoped to continue their undefeated streak and pull within 4 points of the Royals and the fifth playoff spot in the Northern Division. It was not meant to be as Nolan Graham converted on a 2-1 at 4:45 for the eventual game-winning goal. Dan Vandermeer added a empty-netter with 17.6 second left to seal the 2-0 win for Long Beach.

Sunday, February 8 vs. Bakersfield L 4-2 Bakersfield Ice Center

- Jason Ralph and Paul Rosebush scored goals late in the second period just :23 apart to put the Bakersfield Condors up 3-1 heading into the second intermission. For the second game in a row, the Titans allowed the first goal as Mike Barrie scored on a break away for the 1-0 Condors lead. Chris Pittman 10th goal of the season on the powerplay tied it up before Bakersfield's two-goal outburst at the end of the period. Kevin Riehl scored for the Condors and Tyler Kindle for the Titans to make the final score 4-2. The Titans remain six points behind the idle Reading Royals.

THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, February 11 @ Reading – 7:00pm Sovereign Center

- The sixth contest of the year for the Titans and Royals. Trenton is 1-2-2 versus Reading this season. Last time out, Brad Church had the game-winning goal and an assists as the Royals defeated the Titans 4-1 at the Sovereign Center.

Friday, February 13 vs. Cincinnati – 7:30pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The first of four meetings between the two teams this season. The Titans lead the all-time series 3-1.

Saturday, February 14 vs. Cincinnati – 7:00pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The second match-up of the year. The Cyclones are 9-13-2 on the road and 18-23-3 against Northern Division opponents

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

· The Titans are 6-2-2 in their last ten.
· #22 Ryan O'Keefe had his twelve-game penalty minute streak (72 PIM) snapped @ LV on 2/3/04.

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 two shy of his 50th ECHL goal.

In the Community:

February 15 – Tip-A-Titan Dinner - On Sunday, February 15, 5pm – 8pm, Titans players will hang up their skates and strap on their aprons as they take over Triumph Brewery in New Hope, PA, serving as restaurant hosts, waiters, bartenders, and other restaurant staff. They will assist with live raffles and be available for photos and autographs. Tips collected during the night will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Butterfly Foundation benefiting pediatric cancer.

February 16 – Tune into "Along the Boards" hosted by the voice of the Trenton Titans, Mike O'Brien. 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 9 – Return from Bakersfield
Tuesday, February 10 – Practice, 1:45pm – 3:45pm @ Iceland, Hamilton, NJ
Wednesday, February 11 – Pre-game skate, 10:15am @ Iceland, Hamilton, NJ
Game @ Reading– 7:00pm
Thursday, February 12 – Practice, 10:15am – 12:15pm @ Iceland, Hamilton, NJ
Friday, February 13 – Pre-game skate, 10:00am @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Cincinnati – 7:30pm
Saturday, February 14 – Pre-game skate, 10:00am @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Cincinnati – 7:00pm
Sunday, February 15– Off
Monday, February 16 – Practice, 10:00am – 12:00pm @ Sovereign Bank Arena

Transactions:

02/02/2004 Add MARTY PHILLIPS (G) emergency backup
02/02/2004 Delete MATT CONTI (G) released
02/04/2004 Delete MARTY PHILLIPS (G) emergency back-up goaltender
02/05/2004 Add DAVE MARLIN (G) signed contract
02/05/2004 Delete JOEL HEINTZ (C) emergency back-up goaltender

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