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Titans take two of three to open season

October 23, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ - Trenton began its eighth year of play and the 2006-07 regular season with a 2-1-0 record during an opening weekend that left the Titans tied for second place in the North Division with the Cincinnati Cyclones and trailing the first-place Reading Royals by only one point. The Titans enter a light week of play that has only one game on the docket, a home match-up with the Cyclones.

ROYAL RECAP: After Trenton swept a two-game preseason series against Reading, the two teams took the ice on Friday for the first game of 2006-07 that meant something in the standings. The Titans could not make it three in a row versus the Royals as they fell in their season and home opener, 3-2. Despite holding a 2-1 lead entering the third on goals by John Laliberte and Troy Riddle, Kevin Saurette tied the score 1:53 into the period before Greg Hogeboom registered a 5-on-3 shorthanded goal that sent Trenton away with the loss.

REDEMPTION IN READING: The back half of the home-and-home series between the Titans and Royals took place Saturday night at the Sovereign Center. While it appeared that Reading, leading 4-2 with less than three minutes remaining, would take both games from Trenton, the Titans came storming back. Gregg Johnson and Jim Henkel beat Royals goalie Ryan Munce for two goals in eleven seconds that sent the game through overtime and into the shootout. There, Joel Martin made 4-of-5 saves while Scott Sheppard scored in the first round and Laliberte sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth, 5-4.

CHOPPED DOWN: The Titans wrapped up their three-game, three-day opening weekend with a matinee victory against the Johnstown Chiefs, 5-3. After an 0-for-19 drought on the man-advantage over two games, Trenton's power play got on track with for 2-for-7 performance. Johnson tallied his second goal in as many games to start the scoring for the Titans and Laliberte gathered another clinching goal as his marker at 13:22 of the third proved to be the game-winner.

RIDDLE'S NO JOKE: Troy Riddle began his Titans tenure with an impressive weekend. The speedy forward recorded three goals and an assist over three games to lead Trenton in scoring. The second-year pro is also tied for the league lead with a three-game goal-scoring streak and a three-game point streak.

LIKING LALIBERTE: A rookie forward out of Boston University, John Laliberte made his presence felt early and often during opening weekend. Laliberte scored the first goal of the Titans' season Friday night against the Royals, tallied the game-clinching goal in the shootout on Saturday in Reading and notched the eventual game-winner over Johnstown on Sunday. Laliberte totaled three points (2g, 1a) in three games to open the new season.

BERTOLI'S HELPING HAND: With his helper on Mike Pandolfo's goal in the second period of Sunday's game against Johnstown, Scott Bertoli notched his 300th professional assist. Trenton's all-time leader in games played (446), points (448), goals (151) and assists (297), Bertoli is just three assists away from his 300th as a Titan.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Titans' 5-4 shootout win over the Royals on Saturday night at the Sovereign Center was Trenton's first road-opening triumph since 2004-05 when they beat Reading 3-2. With the victory the Titans raised their record in road-openers to 5-3.

ALONG THE BOARDS IS BACK: "Along the Boards" the Trenton Titans' weekly talk radio show, returns for the its first installment of the season on Wednesday, October 25, 7:00pm at the Morrisville Tavern in Morrisville, Pa. Head Coach Rick Kowalsky and Voice of the Titans Mike O'Brien will be on hand to discuss all things Titans and answer questions from fans. "Along the Boards" can be heard on WBCB-1490AM. The Morrisville Tavern is located at 376 West Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, Pa.

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, October 27, 7:30pm - Titans vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

After a two-year hiatus, the Cincinnati Cyclones return to the ECHL and renew their North Division rivalry with the Trenton Titans. The Titans are 6-1-1 lifetime against the Cyclones including a 3-0-1 record during the 2003-04 season. Cincinnati is 2-0-0 and tied for second place with Trenton after wins over Pensacola and Toledo this weekend. Scott Reynolds paced his team with three goals and an assist as the Cyclones outscored their opponents 7-1.

IN THE COMMUNITY:

Saturday, October 28, 11:00am - 2:00pm - Senator Conti's Kids Fest 2006 Pennsbury High School

The Titans will be on hand at Senator Conti's Kids Fest 2006 this Saturday at Pennsbury High School. Senator Conti's Kids Fest is a fun and free way to gain valuable information on programs and benefits available to help families and children. The Kids Fest will feature representatives from state and county agencies and local organizations as well as free refreshments.

TITANS GAME BROADCASTS: Tune in as the Voice of the Titans, Mike O'Brien, brings you all of the Titans hockey action live on WBCB 1490AM on Sunday through Thursday and WSTR-91.3 FM on Friday and Saturday. Fans can also watch or listen in on the Titans website, www.trentontitans.com, courtesy of b2 Networks. Video broadcasts are available for a charge of $6 per game, while audiocasts are free of charge. A cable or DSL Internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 are required to view the games.



ECHL Stories from October 23, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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