Titans Week in Review

December 13, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Titans News Release


For the third time this month, The Trenton Titans played three games in a calendar week. But unlike last week and the week of November 9th, the Titans got to face somebody outside of the Atlantic Division, playing South Carolina and Gwinnett for the first time this year.

All three games were tight, playoff-style affairs, with only the middle game against the Stingrays being an offensive shootout. Unfortunately the Titans were only able manage two points, despite scoring first in each contest.

Friday December 7: Trenton - 2, SOUTH CAROLINA - 3 (OT)

This was a beauty to start the two game set in North Charleston. Ian Slater got things started for the Titans just 3:03 into the match, only to see the Stingrays tie it up a minute later, then take the lead midway through the contest.

Goalie Scott Wedgewood (6-6-1, 14 saves) kept it that way after stopping two, 2-on-1 shorthanded breaks for SC later in the second and held his ground until help arrived.

That help came in the form of an Andy Bohmbach tip-in from a Ryan Grimshaw blast at the left point at 12:22 of the third. The Titans got it to OT, but SC only needed one shot in the extra frame. A perfect far-post pass to Damon Kipp end the game less than two minutes in.

Saturday December 8: Trenton-5, SOUTH CAROLINA - 6 (SO, 2-1)

It was the second SO in a week for Trenton (they defeated Elmira, 7-6, on December 1). But after winning for the first time in the last eight tries, the Titans fell one goal shy in the five-round finale.

Kelly Zajac opened the scoring with his first two goals as a Titan in the game's opening eight minutes. A 'Rays goal just shy of the 13 minute mark - which set off a 10-plus minute delay for the team's Teddy Bear toss - really opened the floodgates, as they put in two more (including one just nine seconds after their first) in the next four minutes to take a 3-2 lead.

Trenton's Kory Nagy countered in the period's waning moments to tie it at 3-3 on his first as a Titan.

Trenton continued the scoring six minutes into the second. Slater's fourth of the year not only gave Trenton back the lead at 4-3, it chased SC goalie Adam Morrison after just 12 shots. Ryan Zapoliski was treated rudely eight minutes later when Stephen Schultz scored on the power play for a 5-4 lead.

SC managed a goal in the final minutes of the period, but after great action from both sides, really sent the hometown crowd crazy by scoring in the final two minutes to force another OT, and eventually a shootout.

Daniel Koger and Tyler Johnson scored in the first two rounds, but Niko Hovinen (SOL, 2-4-0-2, 30 saves) stopped the 'Rays the rest of the way.

Bohmbach cut the gap to 2-1 in the second round, but the Titans got no closer the rest of the way

Sunday December 9: Trenton - 2, GWINNETT - 4

Another outstanding game saw Andrew Conboy get his first ECHL goal less than three minutes in. Gwinnett put up two of its own before the horn sounded - including a PPG with just 20 seconds left in the period - for a 2-1 advantage.

Slater continued his hot play with another "three-minute" goal, tying the game at 2-2 early in the second.

Wedgewood (L, 25 saves, 6-7-1) and Gladiator net minder Louis Domingue (27 saves, 7-1) were brilliant the entire game and threatened to have this one go OT as well, but Gwinnett managed to slip the GWG through a mass of humanity near the midway point of the third, then score an empty-netter in the final 30 seconds after heavy Titans pressure to seal the win.

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.

Happy Belated Birthday: Though going scoreless on his birthday (12/7), Schultz made up for it the next night against SC with a goal and two assists.

Powerful Scorer: Of Schultz's seven goals, five have come on the power play (leads the team).

One Streak Begins...: Slater has now scored a goal in the last four games.

Another Streak Ends...: Marcel Noebels had a four-game scoring streak come to an end in Gwinnett. He had an eight-game streak to start the season.

Still Leader Of The Pack: Bohmbach currently leads the team in Goals (10), scoring (20) and SHG (2).

However...: He no longer is the team's assist leader. Noebels now has the top spot with 11.

Better Protect You House: Trenton still leads the ECHL in Road SHG (5). The Titans had 7 SHG (3 road) all of last season.

Upcoming Slate

Friday December 14, 7:05 pm vs. Wheeling Nailers (first meeting in Trenton this year).

Saturday December 15, 7:05 pm vs. Elmira Jackals (TRE is 2-2 against ELM; 1-1 at home)

Sunday December 16, 3:05 pm vs. Orlando Solar Bears (first ever meeting against ORL)

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.



ECHL Stories from December 13, 2012


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