Titans Week in Review

Published on November 20, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Titans News Release


While anyone would prefer sweeping a two-game set while on road, there's nothing wrong with coming away with a split. That's exactly what the Trenton Titans did last weekend in Elmira - defeating the Jackals 2-1 on Friday before falling the next night, 5-1.

Game One had all the makings of another classic Elmira-Trenton clash - tight and low scoring - and in the end the teams didn't disappoint.

Elmira entered the game with the top PP unit in the league overall (29.3) and at home (33.3), but it was Trenton's 3rd-ranked penalty killers that struck first.

In the middle of a line change for each side, Kory Nagy and Justin Taylor capitalized on a 2-on-2 rush with six seconds left in a Jackals' man-advantage. Nagy got deep in the slot and feathered a pass to Taylor on the left post, pushing it past Marc Cheverie (4-3, 29 saves) for a short-handed tally. The goal was the first of the year and first as a Titan for Taylor - who was acquired in a trade with Kalamazoo for D Mitch Versteeg earlier in the week - and made it 1-0 Titans 9:20 into the second.

Seven minutes later Ray DiLauro hit Stephen Schultz outside the left circle. When Schultz's man lost an edge, he raced in towards goal, faked a pass to Andy Bohmbach behind the net, then placed a shot over Cheverie's shoulder into the top right corner, for what would eventually be the GWG at 2-0.

Trenton's Niko Hovinen - in his fourth straight appearance since Scott Wedgewood got dinged up late in the Titans' game with Reading November 9th - was stellar in net to run his record to 2-3-0-1 and break a personal four-game winless streak. The only blemish in his 20-save performance was a goal at 8:13 of the third by Jack Downing.

A big key to the win was Elmira only getting two power play chances - including a five minute major cut short by a Jackals minor penalty midway into it - and not converting on either one. That ran the Titans PK streak to 27 consecutive stops. Unfortunately that was where it ended.

The Titans picked up the first of eight penalties less than a minute into Game Two and Elmira made them pay for it when Louie Capporusso beat Hovinen at 2:09 of the first to end the streak and give the Jackals a 1-0 lead.

Trenton was flagged for three more penalties in the period which were all killed off. But a fifth minor hit the Titans in the final minute. The Jackals converted on the carryover 33 seconds into the second for a 2-0 lead.

However during the attempted kill the Titans had picked up another penalty. Since Elmira scored on the delayed call - and there was still 50 seconds left in the original man advantage - Elmira was awarded a fresh two minute power play that they struck on again for a 3-0 cushion that wouldn't get challenged.

Elmira added two more goals and the first 40 minutes saw the Jackals extend their lead to 5-0. However any thought of a Maxime Clermont (2-3-1, 26 saves) shutout was erased in the third when Andy Bohmbach scored on the power play at 12:10, with assists from Schultz and Jason Akeson.

The goal - a team-high sixth for Bohmbach - was even more significant as it was the first goal allowed on a PP by Elmira at home this year. The only team left in the ECHL perfect on its home PK, ran the streak to 32 straight kills before the Bohmbach tally.

On the night Elmira went 3-for-8 on the power play, while the Titans were 1-for-3 on the man advantage. Hovinen (2-4-0-1, 24 saves) was saddled with the loss.

The (Re)View From Atop Mount Olympus

Relief Effort In The Wake Of Hurricane Sandy: The Titans are grateful to the members of Titans Nation who provided - and continue to offer - relief supplies for those in need following the devastation left behind in Hurricane Sandy's wake.

The Titans continue the help our neighbors in need and will keep delivering donations as they come in. Trenton would like to thank its friends at Justin's Rentals in Trenton, for supplying the transportation needed to deliver those donations. For information on how you can help, please call the Titans' Offices at 609-341-1100.

Starting Over: The Titans had stopped 27-straight opposition power plays, before Elmira hit on three of its first six chances on Saturday. They will try to start up a new streak after killing off the Jackals final two PP of the night. They still have a sizable streak against their Atlantic Division rival Reading, as they have stopped the Royals from converting on the man advantage in their last 25 tries.

Shorties In The House: Trenton leads the ECHL in short-handed goals with five...all of them on the road!

Not In Our House: Trenton is second in the league at home on the PK at 92.6% (25-for-27).

Four-Square: Over the last three games, Bohmbach has scored four goals.

Starting To Streak?: Schultz has scored a point in three straight games.

Same Time Next Year?: After Saturday November 24th, the Titans will not see Greenville until next season - unless the teams happen to square off in the playoffs. The only other meeting this year was the season-opener, won by the Titans in Trenton, 3-1.

We're Not Ducking You, Honest: Trenton has yet to face off against its third division foe in Wheeling. That will change on Wednesday November 28th, when the Titans travel to West Virginia to face the Nailers.

10-Spot: Trenton's meeting with Wheeling will be its 10th game in the Atlantic Division through the first 14 games of the season. The Titans are 3-5-0-1 in the Atlantic (ELM 1-1, REA 2-4-0-1).

Still Getting The Point: With their win on Friday, the Titans have scored a point in all seven games in which they have scored first (6-0-0-1) and still have yet to fall behind in any contest in regulation.

Slow Start Still Equals Bad Finish: After losing in Elmira Saturday, Trenton is now 0-7 when giving up the first goal and has never led in any of those games.

Even Steven: After this weekend the Titans will have played the same number of home and away games - 8. They are currently 3-3 at home and 3-4-0-1 on the road.

Upcoming Slate

Friday November 23 vs. Evansville IceMen (7:05 pm) (Trenton leads the 1-0, winning in Evansville)

Saturday November 24 vs. Greenville Road Warriors (7:05 pm) (Trenton leads the series 1-0, winning at home)

November Promotions

Friday 11/23 - Presented by Dairy Queen Grill and Chill

Stick Time Hockey - Friday, November 23rd, 2012

$15 ticket includes Stick Time game and Titans Ticket to Friday's game against Evansville! Games times are separated by age and are: 2-3:30PM (Ages 6-12) and 4-5:30PM (Ages 13 +up).

Titans Stimulus Package - The $9 Match Game (Friday and Saturday)

Like Gene Rayburn and the great 1970's TV show - Tommy Titan purchased a $9 ticket for Friday against Evansville and he got back a (blank)! Fill in that blank with a free ticket courtesy of the Titans! For every $9 ticket you purchase, Friday or Saturday, the Titans will match it (i.e. Buy 4 tickets Friday, get 4 more tickets for Friday free)! To take advantage of this offer, you must call the Titans Front Office at 609-341-1100. If you are already a season ticket holder, you automatically get complimentary tickets! To claim your complimentary tickets you must contact the Titans Front Office in advance to claim them.

Everyone attending Friday's game will be entered to win one, full free season ticket, to the 2013-2014 Trenton Titans Season. You must register to be entered. See the Titans' representatives at the Titans Table behind Section 106 of the Sun National Bank Center to register and for more information.

NHL Season Ticket Exchange (Friday and Saturday)

The popular - and nationally recognized - promotion is back! Show a 2012-2013 NHL season ticket, or proof of payment if your NHL team did not mail out your tickets, and get a complimentary ticket to the Titans in return! Flyers, Devils, Islanders, Rangers...even Anaheim, it doesn't matter! Bring it to the Sun National Bank Center on game day and enjoy an actual hockey game again...on the Titans! Just bring your ticket/proof of payment to the Titans Information Table outside Gate A to redeem your free ticket.

The Trenton Titans returned in the 2011-12 hockey season after a five year hiatus and boasted a 26.1% increase in attendance over the previous year, the largest of any team in the (then) 20-team ECHL. For information on promotions, team events or to purchase tickets for the 2012-13 season, call the Titans' offices at 609-341-1100, or go to TrentonTitansHockey.com.

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ECHL Stories from November 20, 2012


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