Titans have big weekend on ice and at gate

Published on January 26, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ – The Titans came into the week of play having fallen to eighth place in Northern Division and looking to rebound from a three-game losing streak.

Trenton did just that in front of monster crowds, going 2-for-2 in the weekend sweep and averaging 6200 fans over both games. With the sweep, the Titans have pulled themselves within ten points of the Reading Royals for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Northern Division.

The Titans came back after All-Star break having to face the number one team in the ECHL, the Wheeling Nailers. BJ Kilbourne, Nick Deschenes and Bryce Cockburn set the tone early for what would be a physical battle and the Titans prevailed with a 3-1 win at Sovereign Bank Arena

Hoping to get four out of a possible four points for the weekend, the Titans carried the momentum from Friday night's win into their match-up with the Roanoke Express. Kilbourne, Deschenes and Cockburn contributed on the scoring sheet this night, tallying 3 of the Titans four goals in the shutout effort.

The Titans find themselves now in sixth place in the division as they continue their five-game home stand. The Titans start the week early in the morning with a 10:30am against the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies on Thursday, January 29. Trenton will then host division rival, the Dayton Bombers on Friday, January 30 at 7:30pm. The Titans finish it off at Sovereign Bank Arena when they face off against the Augusta Lynx on Saturday, January 31 at 7:00pm.

LAST WEEK:

Friday, January 23 vs. Wheeling – 7:30pm W 3-1 Sovereign Bank Arena

- A physical match in which the Titans were able to capitalize on the man-advantage going 2-for-3 on the power play. Chris Pittman put the Titans up in the first when deflected Scott Bertoli's point shot past Nick Boucher. J.F. Dufour tied it up in the second with a deflection of his own, but Bertoli would convert on the power play at 13:53 of the middle frame to put the Titans back up by one. Jay Leach scored his first goal as a Titan with an empty-netter in the final second. Andrew Allen made 26 of 27 saves in the win.

Saturday, January 24 vs. Roanoke – 7:00pm W 4-0 Sovereign Bank Arena

- Trenton swept the season series from the Express as the Titans continued the physical play and stepped up the defense, limiting Roanoke to just 17 shots in a 4-0 shutout. BJ Kilbourne got credit for the first goal of the evening when the rebound of his shot ricocheted off of Tim O'Connell and back into the net for a 1-0 lead. It was Kilbourne's first goal of the season as a Titan. Dan Riva would add a power play goal in the second and Kilbourne's linemates, Nick Deschenes and Bryce Cockburn would also hit the back of the net. Allen recorded his eleventh win of the season and his second shutout his last six starts.

THIS WEEK:

Thursday, January 29 vs. Atlantic City – 10:30am Sovereign Bank Arena

- The seventh time this season the Titans and Bullies face-off. The season series is knotted at 3-3. Trenton is 2-1 against the Atlantic City at Sovereign Bank Arena. Last time out, Bullies captain Stefan Rivard scored shorthanded and even strength goals in the second period to break open a 1-1 tie. Scott Stirling recorded his 21st win in the 3-1 victory for Bullies.

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

- The fourth of six matches between the two squads this season. The Titans split a weekend series with the Bombers two weeks at Sovereign Bank Arena. On Friday night, Scott Bertoli netted two shorthanded goals 1:22 apart in the second period in a 5-0 shutout for the Titans. The next evening, Andrew Penner turned away 40 shots through the overtime and all four Titans players in the shootout for the 3-2 win. The season series stands at 1-1-1 for the Titans.

Saturday, January 31 vs. Augusta – 7:00pm Sovereign Bank Arena

- The only time the Titans face the Lynx this season and the final of two games against Central Division opponents in 2003-04. The Titans lead the all-time series 2-0-0. The Lynx are just 6-12-1 on the road this year.

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:

· #29 Andrew Allen is 5-2-1 with two shutouts in his last eight starts.
· #22 Ryan O'Keefe has a nine-game penalty streak (64 PIM).
· The Titans are 6-1-1 at home during the month of January.
· Trenton is 5-2 against Southern Division opponents.
· The Titans have only allowed two power play goals in their last 41 opportunities against (95.1%) and are now ranked 9th in the ECHL on the PK

Milestones:

· After this weekend's games, 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 four shy of his 50th ECHL goal
· #32 Matt Zutlek is two assists away from his 50th as a Titan

In the Community:

January 26 – Tune into "Along the Boards" hosted by the voice of the Trenton Titans, Mike O'Brien. This week's guest will be #7 Matt Herneisen. 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

January 30 – Titans posters courtesy of White Eagle Printing Company will be distributed to the first 2000 fans on Friday night as the Titans take on the Dayton Bombers at 7:00pm.

January 31 - "Kids Run the Show Night" presented by the Trentonian. Selected winners will shadow their favorite Titans staff members and take part in the production of Saturday night's game versus the Augusta Lynx.

Practice/Game Schedule:
Monday, January 26 – 10:00am – 12:00pm @ Sovereign Bank Arena Tuesday,
January 27 – 10:00am – 12:00pm @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Wednesday, January 28 – 10:00am – 12:00pm @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Thursday, January 29 – No Pre-game Skate Game vs. Atlantic City – 10:30am
Friday, January 23 – 10:00am – 11:00am, Pre-game Skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Dayton – 7:30pm
Saturday, January 24 – 10:00am – 11:00am, Pre-game Skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena
Game vs. Augusta – 7:00pm
Sunday, January 25– Leave for Las Vegas
Monday, January 26 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm, Practice

Transactions:
01/18/2004 Delete CHRIS PITTMAN (C) loaned to Binghamton (AHL)
01/18/2004 Delete MATT CONTI (G) released as emergency back-up goaltender
01/18/2004 Delete CHRIS PITTMAN (C) loaned to Binghamton (AHL)
01/19/2004 Delete JEFF SCHMIDT (RW) released, eligible for waivers
01/19/2004 Add CHRIS HOULE (G) returned from Cleveland (AHL)
01/23/2004 Add TYLER KINDLE (D) traded from Pensacola
01/23/2004 Add CHRIS PITTMAN (C) returned from Binghamton (AHL)
01/23/2004 Add MATT CONTI (G) as emergency back-up goaltender
01/23/2004 Add NICK DESCHENES (LW) assigned by Philadelphia (AHL)
01/23/2004 Add MATT HERNEISEN (F) activated off IR
01/23/2004 Delete CHRIS HOULE (G) loaned to Philadelphia (AHL)

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ECHL Stories from January 26, 2004


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