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Titans Week in Review

February 27, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Titans News Release


Things didn't start out very well in the Titans push for a playoff spot, but boy did it pick up in an awful hurry. From a loss to a record-setting performance, it became a very entertaining and important 2-1-0-1 week.

Monday February 18: ELMIRA - 4, Trenton - 1

Scott Wedgewood was brilliant again in stopping 36 on the night, and was the biggest reason it was only a 2-0 Jackals lead through two. Jacob Cepis scored his 15th of the year early in the third, cutting the deficit in half.

However the increased pressure the Titans applied couldn't be converted into goals and eventually the Jackals regained control. They scored twice in the final seven minutes (including an empty-netter) to take the Atlantic Division matchup.

Friday February 22: ELMIRA - 5, Trenton - 4 (SO)

Elmira came back to Trenton for the second time in the week. They left with the same result, but the Titans were able to secure a much needed point before they did.

Ending the first down 1-0, Trenton jumped to a 3-1 lead in the middle portion of the second on goals by J.S. Berube (4), Connor Goggin (6) and Kelly Zajac (5). The Zajac goal would prove to be a springboard in the return from injury for Stephen Schultz, who got an assist on the goal.

Trenton would find the game tied after two, then be down a goal 13 minutes into the third. Zajac changed that at 15:22 with his second of the night - a goal that would eventually force overtime and a shootout.

Wedgewood stopped 22 on the night, but only saved 2-of-4 in the shootout, as his mates were blanked by Elmira on the other end. Things would be much different the next night against the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference leaders.

Saturday February 23: Reading - 0, TRENTON - 6

Wedgewood recorded the first shutout of his young career (29 saves) and Trenton got its first shutout since February 9, 2011 (2-0 vs. Kalamazoo). Meanwhile, Schultz entered the ECHL record books.

It only took six shots, but Schultz scored the Titans first four goals - tying the record by doing it all on the power play - as the Titans outran and outplayed the Royals to a 4-0 lead after two.

Reading had no answer in the third either, as Goggin and Cepis added the insurance with under six to play. All that was left was for the defense to help Wedgewood preserve the shutout.

There were some tense moments and some help from fanned shots and a goalpost, but Trenton earned the shutout win from start to finish. Trenton went 4-for-7 on the power play, while killing off four Reading chances. It was a theme that would continue on the road the next night.

Sunday February 24: TRENTON - 5, Reading - 3

Trenton once again jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead - this time on the road in Reading - buoyed by the fifth straight PPG by Schultz (21, 14 PPG). This time the Royals had a response to finish the first down 2-1.

Trenton countered early in the second with two goals in the first three minutes (Cepis-17; Brian Haczyk (PPG)-11), raising the lead to 4-1.

Reading started to really ramp up the pressure, scoring midway through the second and early in the third to make it interesting at 4-3 with five minutes gone in the third.

Brooks Ostergard - making his second career start - stood his ground until the Titans could get some insurance on the board. It finally came at 16:53 when Berube lifted a tight backhand into the upper left corner to complete the scoring.

Ostergard stopped 36 on the night for his first professional victory and Schultz picked up three more points (2 A). His effort gave him eight points for the week (5 PPG), a +3 rating, a league record and ECHL Player of the Week.

The (Re)View From Atop Mount Olympus

Relief Effort In The Wake Of Hurricane Sandy: As time passes and the holidays came upon us, it is easy to forget the people who were - and continue to be - effected in the aftermath of Sandy. The Titans are grateful to the members of Titans Nation who provided - and continue to offer - relief supplies for those in need.

The Titans will continue the help their neighbors 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.

Dime Dropper: Cepis leads the Titans in assists with 29.

Send In The Hats: Schultz picked up his second hat-trick of the year. He is one of three Titans to do it, as Marcel Noebels and Andy Bohmbach (both now in the AHL) each turned the "trick".

Power-ful Force: Schultz entered this week leading the league in PPG with 14.

Upcoming Slate

Tuesday February 26 at Cincinnati, 7:35 pm (Titans haven't won in CIN since 11/18/09)

Friday-Saturday March 1-2 at Wheeling, 7:00 pm (Titans haven't won in WHL this season)

Sunday March 3 at Toledo, 5:05 (only meeting in TOL this year - won last year at the Huntington Center).

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, purchasing tickets, or 2013-14 Season Ticket package, call the Titans' offices at 609-341-1100, or go to TrentonTitansHockey.com.

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