Titans go .500, only two points behind Royals

March 15, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ – The Trenton Titans continued their 12-day road trip with four games against division opponents.

Trenton started the week with a chance for redemption against Peoria after a tough 5-4 loss on Sunday. It was not to be as the Rivermen swept the series versus the Titans at Carver Arena with a 5-3 win on Tuesday night.

The Titans then headed east for a two-game set with the Dayton Bombers and much-needed four points. On Friday night, Ryan Crane netted the eventual game-winner and newly acquired Peter Hamerlik made 36 saves in a 3-2 victory for the Titans. Matt Zutlek was the man of the hour on Saturday as he scored two goals :32 apart to help Trenton stake a 3-2 win over the Bombers.

The conclusion of the Titans road trip came with a Sunday matinee game against the Johnstown Chiefs. Sitting two points behind the idle Royals, this game provided a chance for Trenton to pull even with Reading for fifth place. Shawn Mather had different plans as his hat trick led the way in a 6-2 win for Johnstown.

The Trenton Titans finished up their road trip with a 4-4-1 record. They now find themselves still in sixth place in the Northern Division, but only two points behind the Reading Royals. The Titans return to Sovereign Bank Arena for four games on their home ice this week.

Trenton gets another shot at the Peoria Rivermen on St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:00pm. The Titans then face-off against the Reading Royals for an important two-game set at Sovereign Bank Arena. Game one comes on Friday, March 19 at 7:30 pm and the second game on Saturday, March 20 at 7:00pm. Trenton finishes up the weekend of play on Sunday afternoon as the Titans and Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies clash on March 21 at 3:00pm.

LAST WEEK:

Tuesday, March 9 @ Peoria – 7:00pm L 5-3 Carver Arena

- As they did on Sunday, the Peoria Rivermen were able to mount an early lead on the Titans with goals by Jason Norrie and Tyler Rennette in the first period. And as they did on Sunday, the Titans were able to fight back with two Scott Bertoli goals coming at 4:11 and 4:29 of the second period, the first goal being the 300th point of Bertoli's Titans and ECHL career. The Rivermen would take the lead again just :18 later with Scott Crawford's sixth goal of the season. From there, Peoria skated to a two-goal advantage on Jason Norrie's second of the game. Matt Zultek would notch a power play goal in the third period to cut the lead to one goal, but Colin Hemingway sealed the deal at with 1:58 for a 5-3 Rivermen win.

Friday, March 12 @ Dayton – 7:00pm W 3-2 Nutter Center

- The Titans came into the Nutter Center knowing that it was almost a necessity to take four points from their weekend series with the Dayton Bombers. Robert Liscak got the Titans off on the right foot with his third goal in a Titans uniform at 10:04 of the second period. Scott Cameron would tie it up for the Bombers early in the third period he converted Oliver Proulx's centering pass.. Matt Zultek would give the Titans the lead :45 later with his team-leading 30th goal of the year. Ryan Crane added an insurance goal that proved to be the game-winner at 5:36 of the period. Peter Hamerlik – formerly of the Reading Royals and newly sent down from the Providence Bruins – made 36 saves for his first win in a Titans uniform. The Titans went 7 for 7 on the penalty kill as they pulled with in four points of the Royals in the standings.

Saturday, March 13 @ Dayton – 7:00pm W 3-2 Nutter Center

- Trenton hoped to finish up their season series with the Bombers on a high note and complete the weekend sweep. Devin Rask would give the Titans a 1-0 lead as he took Robert Liscak's face-off win and roofed it over Andrew Penner for his 12th goal of the season. Matt Zultek provided the Titans some extra cushion with two goals :32 apart at the beginning of the second period. Scott Cameron tallied a power play goal at 16:11 of the period to get Dayton on the board and make the score 3-1. Jake Wiegand then made the hearts of Titans fans beat a little faster when he cut the Titans lead to onegoal with just 1:54 left in the game. Peter Hamerlik would shut the door once again to record his second win in a row for the Titans.

Sunday, March 14 @ Johnstown – 2:30pm W 6-2 Cambria County War Memorial

- Only two points behind the idle Reading Royals, Trenton looked finish up their road trip on a high note against the Johnstown Chiefs. Shawn Mather had different plan as he scored power play and even strength goals in the first period to help the Chiefs stake a 2-0 lead. Chris Leinweber pushed Johnstown's lead to three with his second goal of the season coming at 16:41 of the second period. Jason Notermann the put the Chiefs up 4-0 with a power play goal 3:19 into the final frame. P.J. Martin finally got the Titans on board at 5:48 with his seventh of the year. Dominic Forget and Jeff Smith would trade goals to make the final score 6-2. Peter Hamerlik suffered his first loss as a Titan as Johnstown went 3 for 10 with the man advantage.

THIS WEEK:

Wednesday, March 17 vs. Peoria – 7:00pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The conclusion of their season series. Peoria holds the advantage 2-0 after two wins at Carver Arena last weekend. Colin Hemingway has three goals and an assist versus the Titans this season.

Friday, March 19 vs. Reading – 7:30pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The eight match of the year for the Titans and Royals. Trenton is 1-3-3 versus Reading this season, with a 1-1-1 record at Sovereign Bank Arena.

Saturday, March 20 vs. Reading – 7:00pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The final game between the two teams. Trenton leads the all-time series 16-5-4. Cody Rudkowsy is 4-1 against the Titans with a 2.29 GAA and a .925 save percentage.

Sunday, March 21 vs. Atlantic City – 3:00pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The ninth contest of ten between the interstate rivals. The Titans are 4-3-1 versus the Bullies this year. Trenton is 2-0-1 against the Bullies at SBA this season.

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 concluded their nine-game road trip with a 4-4-1 record.

· The Titans are scoreless on the power play in their last three games (0 for 16)

· The Titans are 0-3 versus the Johnstown Chiefs at Cambria County War Memorial

· #20 Chris Pittman is on an eight-game home scoring streak (7g, 6a)

Milestones

· #19 Scott Bertoli recorded his 300th ECHL point with a goal at 4:11 of the second period during the Titan's 5-3 loss to the Peoria Rivermen on Tuesday.

· Bertoli is just one goal away from his 100th as a Titan.

· #9 BJ Kilbourne played in his 100th game as a Titan on Friday against the Dayton Bombers

· #2 Vince Williams played in his 100th games as a Titan on Saturday versus the Dayton Bombers.

In the Community:

March 15 – Come down as "Along the Boards" hosted by the voice of the Trenton Titans, Mike O'Brien, makes its triumphant return with special co-host Dan Riva. 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

March 19 - The first 2000 fans at the Titans/Royals game will receive a Titans team picture courtesy of Allsport Photos.

March 20 – The Titans hold their 4th annual Post-game Jersey Auction after they take on the Reading Royals on Saturday night.

March 21 – Come celebrate Clash's birthday as the first 2000 fans through the door when the Titans take on the Boardwalk Bullies receive mouse pads courtesy of Sovereign Bank

Practice/Game Schedule:
Monday, March 15 – Off
Tuesday, March 16 – Practice, 10am – 12pm @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Wednesday, March 17 – Pre-game skate, 10:00 @ Sovereign Bank Arena Game vs. Peoria – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 18 – Practice, 10am – 12pm @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Friday, March 19 – Pre-game skate, 10:00 @ Sovereign Bank Arena Game vs. Reading – 7:30pm
Saturday, March 20 – Pre-game skate, 10:00 @ Sovereign Bank Arena Game vs. Reading – 7:00pm
Sunday, March 21 Game vs. Atlantic City – 3:00pm
Monday, March 22 – Off

Transactions:

03/07/2004 Add BRAD PIPKINS (G) emergency backup
03/07/2004 Delete ZACH NIPPERT (G) released
03/08/2004 Add P.J. MARTIN (D) returned from Binghamton (AHL)
03/12/2004 Add PETER HAMERLIK (G) assigned by Boston (NHL)



ECHL Stories from March 15, 2004


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