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Trenton Sweeps Through Ohio

March 17, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Trenton Devils broke through in a big way last week, springing right back into the playoff hunt with three decisive wins in Ohio. After thrashing the North leaders, Cincinnati, to a tune of 6-0, Trenton went after Dayton with a pair of victories, 2-0 and 4-1. Jason Smith compiled a shutout streak which lasted 186 minutes and 27 seconds, while Joe Rooney scored the first four-point game of his career. The Devils are in sixth place in the North Division, nine points out of fifth place, and have a record of 24-32-3-4.

CINCI DESTROYED: After surviving a first period in which the Cyclones put up 19 shots on goal through four power plays, Trenton pounded out a trio of goals in both the second and third periods en route a 6-0 win. Jason Smith earned his first professional shutout in the victory, stopping 35 shots and stifling the Cyclones vaunted attack. Trenton broke several marks in the contest, including Cincinnati's 14-game home winning streak and David Desharnais' 27-game point streak. Tony Zancanaro led a multitude of Devils with multi-point games; the center had two goals-including the game-winner-and an assist.

DAYTON DEMOLISHED: Jason Smith put together the Devils' first back-to-back shutout string of the season by stopping Dayton's 25 shots and giving Trenton the time to pot the game-winner in the third period. Andrew Leach broke a 0-0 tie halfway through the third period by taking advantage of Dayton netminder Rejean Beauchemin, who was out-of-position on a dump by the Devils. Jason Paige added a vital insurance goal with three minutes to go, and Trenton skated off with a 2-0 victory.

BOMBERS BROKEN: The Devils and Jason Smith were just nine minutes and 49 seconds away from having three consecutive shutouts before being foiled by the Bombers, but nonetheless pulled away with a 4-1 decision. Joe Rooney scored points on every goal by the Devils, giving out three assists and firing a rising wrister into the net. It was the first time a Trenton skater had a four-point night on the road since 2001, when Pat Leahy had five assists in Columbia. Smith's shutout streak, which had lasted 186:27 and dated back to March 9 against Johnstown, was stopped by Gary Klapkowski's slider through traffic. Smith would have become one of just four ECHL goaltenders in the record books with back-to-back-to-back shutouts.

QUICK HITS: Jason Smith recently completed a shutout streak of 186 minutes and 27 seconds... Smith was just under ten minutes shy of recording three straight shutouts, which would have tied the ECHL's record... Matt Cohen has a three-game scoring streak (2g, 1a)... The defenseman has seven points (2g, 5a) in nine games after recording just eight (1g, 7a) in his previous 56 contests... Joe Rooney became the first Trenton skater since 2001 to score four points on the road, notching one goal and three assists on 3/15/08 @ DAY... The Devils are 7-1-0-1 when Ryan Gunderson records a multi-point night... Trenton is riding a season-high six-game road winning streak... It has matched its season-high winning streak at three games... The Devils had back-to-back shutouts for the first time this season on 3/13 @ CIN and 3/14 @ DAY... Trenton outscored its opponents 12-1 last week... The Devils have killed 35 of their last 38 penalties (spanning nine games)... Trenton has now killed off a season-high 17 straight penalties.

UPCOMING GAMES Thursday, March 20, 7:00pm - Devils vs. Wheeling Nailers

Trenton hosts the Kelly Cup and the Wheeling Nailers this Thursday and looks to create its longest winning streak of the season with a victory. The Devils were foiled at home last time around by the Nailers, 4-2, but are hoping to get some revenge upon the American Conference's worst team. Trenton leads the season set 5-3-1 and is on top in the all-time mark as well, 34-26-7.

Friday, March 21, 7:30pm - Devils vs. Dayton Bombers

The Devils have accomplished two-thirds of their current goal against Dayton: they need three wins to close out the season against the Bombers and have a chance of keeping their playoff hopes alive. A win on Friday would get the Devils that much closer to catching the Bombers, and with so few games left in the season, every point is at a premium. A win would give Trenton the victory in the season-set, which currently resides at 5-4-0. The Devils lead the all-time set as well, 43-18-8.

Saturday, March 22, 7:05pm - Devils @ Reading Royals

Trenton heads out to Reading to take on their arch-rivals, the Reading Royals. With the season series split at five-all, can Trenton take the lead with a win? Trenton leads the Royals all-time 40-25-8.

Practice/Game Schedule:

Monday, March 17 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30am

Tuesday, March 18 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30am

Wednesday, March 19 - Practice @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:30am

Thursday, March 20 - Pre-game Skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:00am

Game vs. Wheeling - 7:00pm

Friday, March 21 - Pre-game Skate @ Sovereign Bank Arena - 10:00am

Game vs. Dayton - 7:30pm

Saturday, March 22 - Pre-game Skate @ Grundy Recreational Center - 10:00am

Game @ Reading - 7:05pm

Sunday, March 23 - Off Day

Monday, March 24 - Practice @ Grundy Recreational Center - 10:30am

ALONG THE BOARDS WITH CHRIS HUDSON: Along the Boards is back this week at a special time: it will be taped live from Mastori's this Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00pm, but aired on Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00pm on WBCB 1490. This weeks guests will include Jay Pemberton and Ryan Gunderson. During the program, the Voice of the Devils, Chris Hudson, brings listeners an in-depth view of the Trenton Devils with interviews of coaches and players while recapping the team's past games. Along the Boards is hosted at Alstarz Family Sports Pub in Bordentown, NJ (next to Mastori's) and can be heard live from 7:00 to 8:00pm on WBCB 1490 every Wednesday the team is not playing or traveling.

DEVILS GAME BROADCASTS: Tune in as the Voice of the Devils, Chris Hudson, brings you all of the Devils' hockey action live on WBCB-1490 AM Sunday through Thursday and WTSR-91.3 FM on Friday and Saturday. Fans can also watch or listen in on the Devils website, http://www.trentondevils.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.

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