Titans Open Regular Season With 3-1 Win
October 22, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release
TRENTON, NJ (October 22, 2004) - The Trenton Titans opened the 2004-05 season with a 3-1 win in front of a sellout crowd of 7,879 fans at the Sovereign Center
Left-winger Mathieu Brunelle tallied his first goal of the season just 4:49 into the contest on a break-away, beating Royals' goaltender Barry Brust to his stick-side. Matt Zultek and Stephen Wood notched their first points on the score as well, each registering an assist on the Brunelle score.
The season first fight came minutes after its first goal - as Brust and tangled with Titans forward Scott Bertoli at the 11:28 mark, in front of the Royals net. The tussle resulted in spearing and game misconduct calls assessed to both men.
Cody Rudkowsky replaced Brust in goal, and held Trenton in check for the remainder of the period. Royals defender Martin Wilde evened the score almost four minutes later, as his wrist shot beat Andrew Allen at the 14:51 mark for Reading's first goal of the young season
While the teams broke for intermission with a 1-1 tie, a late first-period cross-checking penalty assessed to Royals' defenseman Ian Turner proved costly.
Because of the Turner penalty, the Titans opened second period with nearly 90 seconds of power play time - and took advantage. Trenton sniper Rick Kowalsky converted the power play opportunity, just 47 seconds after faceoff, giving the Titans a 2-1 lead.
It would prove to be the game-winner, as both teams were held scoreless in the third period.
For the final 45 minutes of the game, Titans goalie Andrew Allen was brilliant. Over the final two periods, he turned away 15 shots, including a critical victory-preserving gem with 47.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
Titans center Leon Hayward added an empty-net goal with 35.4 seconds remaining to give Trenton its final score of the night. Zultek had a hand in all three Titans goals as he recorded his first-three point night of the season.
The Titans travel to Reading on Saturday, October 23 for the second of the home-and-home series against the Royals. The puck drops at 7:05pm.
Don't miss "Along the Boards" with host Mike O'Brien, Head Coach Mike Haviland and goaltender Andrew Allen this Monday, October 25, from 7-8pm at First and Ten at 1961 Hamilton Avenue in Hamilton, NJ.
Join the Nation! Become a part of the Titans Nation by securing your full or partial season ticket plans now. Call a Titans Ticket Representative at (609) 599-9500. The Trenton Titans are a member of the ECHL - America's Premier "AA" Hockey League.
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ECHL Stories from October 22, 2004
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