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Titans Week in Review

March 7, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Titans News Release


While sweeping a road trip is the ultimate goal, there is nothing wrong with splitting one either. After sweeping a home-and-home with Reading to close the previous week, the continuation of a five game road trip to begin this one started on a low note in Cincinnati. But before the Titans left the Buckeye State for good, the final tune they would play in Toledo sounded much sweeter.

Tuesday February 26: Trenton - 4, CINCINNATI - 7

Stephen Schultz (22) scored quickly into an early power play for Trenton, but before the first period was over, Cincinnati had seized control with a 3-1 lead.

After a fourth consecutive - and short-handed - goal to begin the second, the Titans were only able to trade punches with the Cyclones the rest of the game. Jessie Todd (2), Jacob Cepis (18) and Schultz (23, second PPG of the night) helped get Trenton within two on each occasion. However Dan Eves' empty net goal late in the third ended any hope of a miraculous comeback.

Friday March 1: TRENTON - 3, Wheeling - 2 (SO, 1-0 (8 rounds))

Scott Wedgewood and the boys wanted to atone for the Cinncy loss by roaring into March like a lion...and that's exactly what they did. Wheeling played strong too, as Scott Darling (34 saves) and Wedgewood (33 saves) became locked in a classic battle.

Both teams have outstanding PK units (Wheeling at home and Trenton overall), but each surrendered a power play goal. Wheeling saw Bryan Haczyk (12) score in the first 1:21 of the game for a 1-0 Titans' lead. Then with 30 seconds left in the second, the Nailers converted on a 5-on-3 opportunity to knot the game at one.

Kory Nagy fought hard to score his sixth of the year four minutes into the third for a 2-1 lead. Wedgewood and the "D" held strong until the Nailers pulled Darling for an extra attacker in the final two minutes. The move paid off when Keven Veilleux managed to slip the puck past Wedgewood, tying the game at 2-2.

The game remained that way through overtime, then seven rounds of a shootout, as Wedgewood made two huge saves to preserve the 0-0 shootout.

Then in Round Eight an unlikely hero emerged in the form of defenseman Connor Goggin. In his first professional SO chance, he double-moved Darling to the left post, then deposited what would be the only goal of the shootout, as Wedgewood stopped Paul Crowder for an important win.

The win was the first for the Titans in Wheeling since December 3, 2011 (0-6-2 in that stretch) and kept their shot at a playoff berth mathematically possible. It was also the seventh SOL for the Nailers this year (5-7).

Saturday March 2: Trenton - 0, WHEELING - 3

Crowder got a measure of revenge after being stopped in the shootout the previous night. His three point effort (GWG, 2 A) propelled the Nailers' offense, while Peter Delmas picked up his first shutout of the year and 12th career win in 14 tries over Trenton.

Wedgewood was brilliant again with another 30-plus save effort (37), but the offense couldn't get on track, putting only 20 shots on the Wheeling net. Even the power play - smoking hot over the last two weeks - was 0-for-5 with a short-handed goal allowed. That would change the following night.

Sunday February 24: TRENTON - 5, Toledo - 4 (OT)

Trenton spotted the Walleye a 1-0 lead after one, but things would get real crazy after that.

Fifty-four seconds into the second, following a double minor against Toledo for high sticking just 11 seconds prior, Jacob Drewsikie notched his first PPG and 11th of the year to tie the game. Then just 19 seconds after that - in the back end of the double minor - Stephen Schultz began what would be a huge night for him with a second Titans PPG and a 2-1 lead.

Nagy picked up his second goal in as many nights for a 3-1 advantage at 15:56. However the momentum would turn as Nino Musitelli would pick up the first of back-to-back PPG for Toledo, then hit a second six minutes into the third to tie the game at 3-3. Kyle Rogers appeared to complete the Walleye comeback at 10:21, scoring for a 4-3 advantage.

Trenton ramped up the pressure and it finally paid off with 3:16 left in regulation when a sharp-angle shot by Andrew Johnston rolled up and behind Toledo keeper Kent Simpson (37 saves) into the crease, where Schultz flipped it home for his 25th of the year, and eventually sending the game into overtime.

But Schultz wasn't done the heroics yet. Taking perfect passes from Goggin and Cepis, his blast from the top of the left circle at 2:43 of OT finished the game and capped off his third hat trick of the season.

In his third career start (two with Trenton this year), Brooks Ostergard was solid in stopping 35 shots for his second victory - both coming with the Titans. Trenton also got the PP unit back on track, going 2-for-5.

The (Re)View From Atop Mount Olympus

Relief Effort In The Wake Of Hurricane Sandy: As time passes 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 as long as its needed 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.

A Bushel Of Apples: Cepis leads the Titans in assists with 31.

Seriously Sick Stick: Schultz scored a hat trick in Florida on February 1, then missed the next eight games (20 days) due to injury. Since getting and assist upon his return on February 22, all he has done is score 10 goals (8 PPG) and add three assists in just six games - two of which he was held scoreless. Add his Florida effort and its 13 goals (9 PP) and four assists in seven games. He now leads the team in goals (26) and points (51).

Power-ful Force: Schultz entered this week leading the league in PPG with 17.

Upcoming Slate

Thursday March 7 vs. Elmira, 7:05 pm (Titans are 4-5-1-1 against the Jackals)

Friday March 8 vs. Wheeling, 7:00 pm (Teams have split the 2 meetings in Trenton this year)

Sunday March 10 vs. Orlando, 3:05 pm (Teams have split the 2 meetings this year, each winning at home. ORL is the only loss Trenton has to any of this year's "expansion" teams. TRE is 3-0 against Evansville and 1-0 with Fort Wayne. They don't face San Francisco this year).

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 packages, call the Titans' offices at 609-341-1100, or go to TrentonTitansHockey.com.

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