News

TRENTON DEVILS WEEKLY:
DECEMBER 1-7, 2009

Trenton, NJ - Despite being swept by the Reading Royals in a close three-game weekend series, the Devils (8-11-2-2) managed to salvage a point in Sunday's contest and are now tied for third with the Johnstown Chiefs in the American East Division with 20 points. The Devils head south this week for a Wednesday night game in Gwinnett, Georgia and two weekend games in South Carolina.

QUICK HITS

- In addition to delivering a crushing hit on Rob LaLonde, captain Trevor Kell had a goal and an assist in Sunday's comeback bid against the Reading Royals. With both of his points coming at the end of regulation, Kell had the primary assist on Tim Kunes' game-tying goal that sent the game into overtime. Kell was also named the third star of the game. In 14 games with the Devils this season, Kell has recorded 16 points (6g, 10a).

- Tim Kunes had the game-tying goal with 12 seconds left in regulation in Sunday's game against Reading. Kunes threw a wrist shot through traffic that found its way through to send the game into overtime. Kunes leads Trenton defensemen in scoring with 12 points (4g, 8a).

- The Devils had a season-high 21 shots on goal in the first period of their 4-3 loss to Reading. Despite bouncing between Lowell and Trenton, Jeff Prough still leads the team with 62 shots on goal in the 14 games he has played with Trenton.


THE WEEK IN REVIEW

READING WINS BACK AND FORTH MATCH, 4-3

The Reading Royals continued their success against the Devils, defeating them for the fourth time in four games this season. Danick Bouchard led the Royals with two power play goals and Charlie Kronschnabel scored the eventual game winner. The Devils got on the board early with Kory Nagy's fourth goal of the season at 8:16 in the first period. Ryan Ginand earned his first ECHL point by sending the puck to Kyle Kucharski behind the goal, who then slid a pass out front to Nagy. The Devils did not hold the lead for long as the Royals came right back to even the score on a power play goal by Ben Gordon, who beat Gerald Coleman with a wrist shot over his shoulder. The Devils headed into the second period with the lead again when Trevor Kell beat Reading goalie Matt Dalton with 49 seconds left for his fifth goal of the season. Reading's Daniel Steiner tied the game right back up again with an unassisted goal just 1:11 into the second. Bouchard and Leaderer exchanged power play goals in the second half of the period to tie the score at 3-3 heading into the third. Despite a short-handed goal from Tim Kunes, the Royals scored two goals in the third period and held on to win 5-4. Matt Dalton stopped 39 shots to earn his fourth win while Gerald Coleman made 23 saves in the loss.

ROYALS OUTLAST DEVILS, 3-2

The Devils' comeback fell short against the Royals Saturday night at the Sovereign Center, losing for the fifth time against Reading in as many meetings this season. The Devils fought back from a 2-0 deficit midway through the second but could not overcome the Royals, who held on to win, 3-2. Reading took the lead on a disputed goal at 11:08 in the firs period. Forward Rob LaLonde, returning from a 16 game stint on the injured reserve, fired a shot from the left side over goalie Dave Caruso's shoulder. The puck rang off the pipe and came back into play; however, the officials determined the puck had gone into the goal before the ricochet. Dan Steiner extended the Royals' lead three minutes into the second period with his sixth of the season. Halfway through the second, Tim Kunes cut the Royals' lead in half with his third goal of the season. On a deflection of a Tony Zancanaro pass that was meant for Trevor Kell, Kunes snuck the puck between goalie Beau Erickson and the right post. With one second left on a Kory Nagy tripping penalty, Mike Harder was called for delay of game. Seven seconds after the penalty time started, the Royals capitalized with a goal by Steiner, his second of the night. Reading took a 3-1 lead into the third period. Brett Wilson's quick pass from the back to the net to Mike Harder in the crease set up the Devils' second goal, with Harder scoring his third of the year to put the Devils within one again. Though Trenton had its only power play in the closing moments of regulation and pulled Caruso for an extra attacker, the Royals held on for the 3-2 win.

DEVILS LOSE IN OT, 4-3

Despite a spirited rally in the last minute of regulation on Sunday afternoon that sent the game into overtime, the Devils could not complete a comeback and once again lost to Reading. Reading swept the weekend series and won for the sixth time against the Devils in six games this season. In the opening minutes Trevor Kell delivered a crushing hit on the Royals defenseman Rob LaLonde in the Reading zone, checking a stunned LaLonde through the glass along the right wing sideboards. After play resumed, the Royals quickly took the early lead. On a pass from Ben Gordon, Daniel Steiner whipped a quick wrist shot that sailed over Gerald Coleman's glove to put the Royals up 1-0 at 4:36 in the first. Ryan Cruthers then made it 2-0 at 15:38 with his sixth of the year. Despite a season high 21 shots in the first period, the Devils were held scoreless. The Royals made it a three goal lead early in the second on a Marc Cavosie goal, seemingly taking the air out of the Devils' sails. The Devils finally found a way to beat Matt Dalton in the third on a Kyle Kucharski unassisted goal. Down 3-1 in the final minute of regulation, the Devils went on the power play and pulled Coleman for a six-on-four advantage. Trevor Kell slammed home a pass from Dan Eves in the goalmouth to cut the deficit to one goal. Just 31 seconds later, Kunes' wrist shot found its way through traffic and tied the game at 3-3. The Royals broke the tie just 1:33 into the extra period on Joey Ryan's second goal of the year, thwarting a Devils comeback.

PROUGH, COUTU RETURN TO DEVILS

Prough returns to the Trenton Devils after his second stint with Lowell this year. Prough appeared in the first ten Trenton games, including a spectacular weekend in which he provided three game-winning goals, four overall, to lead Trenton to a three-game sweep of the Elmira Jackals. Immediately following his offensive surge he was reassigned to the organization's AHL affiliate. In his first of seven games with Lowell, Prough scored his first career AHL goal at 6:02 of the third as the Lowell Devils defeated the Worcester Sharks, 7-3. Returning to the Trenton Devils for one game in Reading November 27, Prough registered nine shots and then was sent back to Lowell. With Trenton, Prough has seven points (5g, 2a) and with Lowell, three points (1g, 2a). A graduate of Brown University, Prough led the Bears in scoring for three seasons (2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08), and currently ranks eighth on Brown's all-time scoring list with 109 points. A right-handed shooter, Prough stands at five feet, ten inches, weighs 170 pounds, and turns 24 on April 20.

Coutu, 25, was scoreless in four games with Lowell and has amassed three points (0g, 3a) and 29 penalty minutes in 15 games with Trenton this season. In 26 regular season games for the Trenton Devils last year, Coutu recorded six points (2g, 4a), accumulated 48 penalty minutes, and finished with a +13 rating. Coutu's last-minute goal in game six of the Northern Division Semifinals last year sent the game into overtime and eventually sent the series to a seventh game. The Maple Ridge, British Columbia native has bounced around during his three year ECHL career, including stints with the Mississippi Sea Wolves, the Johnstown Chiefs, and the Augusta Linyx. Skating for the Muskegon Fury (UHL) in 2006-07, Coutu finished second on the team among defensemen with eight goals and 18 points. Coutu started his professional career with the Fort Worth Brahmas (CHL), racking up 14 points and 73 penalty minutes in 43 games. A left handed shooter, Coutu stands six feet, weighs 205 pounds, and turned 25 November 19.

THE WEEK AHEAD

UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 7:05 p.m. - Devils at Gwinnett Gladiators

Trenton heads south to visit the Gwinnett Gladiators for the first of three meetings between the two clubs this season. The Gladiators (11-6-2-1, 25 pts) are fourth in the American North Division and are coming off a 4-2 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday. Gwinnett's Tom Zanoski is tied for sixth in the league with 26 points (12g, 14a).

Friday, December 11, 2009, 7:05 p.m. - Devils at South Carolina Stingrays
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 7:05 p.m. - Devils at South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina hosts the Devils for a two game series this weekend. The American Conference leading Stingrays (16-6-1-3, 36 pts) are coming off of a 3-1 win over the Elmira Jackals. Stingrays forward Keith Johnson, with four goals in his last four games, looks to continue his scoring streak.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS

Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m. - "Along the Boards" Broadcast
Join Dan D'Uva for the season's second installment of "Along the Boards," from Cheeburger Cheeburger, located in the Mercer Mall on Route 1 in Lawrenceville. Come out to watch the live broadcast with Dan, featuring Trenton Devils coaches and players. Bring your Devils merchandise for player autographs. Wear your gear and save 10% off of your Cheeburger Cheeburger order.

Thursday, December 17, 2009, 7:00 p.m. - Dollar Dog Night
Purchase a hot dog for only one dollar all game long.

Saturday, December 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m. - Build-A-Bear Auction/Jersey Raffle
The stuffed animals your Trenton Devils made at the Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Quakerbridge Mall will be up for silent auction on the concourse. The auction ends at the end of the second intermission. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity - Trenton Area.

Each Sunday game, a game-worn jersey is raffled off at the sales table behind section 115. Purchase raffle tickets for just $2 for your chance to win. Visit www.trentondevils.com to vote for your choice of game-worn jersey.


DEVILS GAME BROADCASTS: Tune in as Dan D'Uva brings you all of the live Devils hockey action on www.trentondevils.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Both audio and video broadcasts are available on our website.

For the latest news on your Trenton Devils visit www.trentondevils.com.