News

 

DEVILS WEEKLY: FEBRUARY 9-15, 2010

Trenton, N.J. - The Devils (19-23-4-5, 47pts) closed out their four-game homestand with a win against the Royals Friday night, and overall, took two out of three games this weekend against East Division rivals. With 47 points, the Devils remain seven points behind second place Reading (25-21-1-3, 54pts), who defeated the Wheeling Nailers at home Sunday. Elmira (27-18-3-2, 59pts) sits in first place in the East while Johnstown (14-29-5-3, 36pts) remains in fourth. Trenton travels to Johnstown for two games on Friday and Saturday before returning to the Sun National Bank Center for a contest against the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday.

Quick Hits

-After sitting out two games due to injury, Dan Charleston effectively returned to the Devils lineup with two multi-point games this weekend. Charleston recorded three points (1g, 2a) in Friday night's victory over Reading and four points (2g, 2a) in Sunday's win over Elmira on his way to being named first star of the game. The University of Nebraska-Omaha alum has amassed 13 points (4g, 9a) in just nine games with the Devils this season.

-Jeff Prough had a five point weekend, recording points in all three contests this weekend. The Brown alum netted two goals and was named the third star in Saturday's loss to Reading, notched a goal and an assist in Sunday's defeat of Elmira, and chipped in an assist in Friday's win over Reading. Prough leads the Devils in points (36) and goals (18).

-Jeremy Akeson accumulated four points this weekend, recording points in all three games. The Ottawa native netted a goal and contributed an assist in Reading and recorded an assist in each of Trenton's wins this weekend. Akeson has amassed 10 points (4g, 6a) in 19 games played this season.

-Carter Lee notched his first professional hockey goal in the Devils 7-5 victory over Elmira. The Brick, NJ native found the loose puck in the crease and muscled it into the net for a 2-0 Devils' lead at 1:27 of the first. It was Lee's first point in eight games with the Devils.

The Week in Review

DEVILS DOWN READING, 5-3

The Trenton Devils defeated their division rival for a second consecutive game, winning 5-3 Friday night at the Sun National Bank Center. Goalie Dave Caruso earned his third victory in the past five games with 27 saves while Matt Dalton stopped 41 shots in the loss. Dan Charleston opened the scoring with a five-on-three power play goal for the Devils at 19:07 of the first. The Devils were called for multiple penalties early in the second, leading to two Reading goals less than four minutes apart. Bryan Ewing knotted the game at 1-1 on the power play at 1:55, firing a low wrist shot past Caruso. With just six seconds left on another Royals' power play, Ryan Cruthers sent a home run pass to Andrew Sarauer, who was camped out at the blue line behind the Devils' defense. Sarauer made a quick deke and beat Caruso through the five-hole. Tony Zancanaro evened the score at 2-2 on a quick one-time snapshot from the slot at 10:58 of the second. Just under three minutes later, Justin Pender cranked a hard slap shot from the point to beat Dalton for a 3-2 Trenton lead at 13:55 of the second. Reading scored just 1:33 into the third on Ben Gordon's twentieth goal of the season to again knot the game. Rookie saves leader Dalton made a number of spectacular saves in the third but could not stop a onetime shot from Dan Eves at 17:42, which would put the Devils up for good. Matt Vokes sealed the Devils' victory with an empty netter fired from the defensive zone. Dan Charleston recorded three points after missing two games and Tony Zancanaro moved into second place for team goals and points.

READING TAKES BACK-AND-FORTH CONTEST, 6-5

In a game where momentum changed sides many times, the Reading Royals escaped with a 6-5 victory Saturday night at the Sovereign Center. The Devils never held a lead, but mounted three separate comebacks, including three straight goals to tie the game 4-4 in the third while amassing 52 total shots. The Royals set the pace early with two power play goals in the first six minutes of the contest. Ben McLeod scored on a net mouth scramble at 3:53 and Aaron Brocklehurst put the Royals up 2-0 with a goal at 5:36 in the first. Trenton got a power play tally of its own at 17:08 in the first on a bank shot from Jeff Prough. The Devils leading scorer got his sixteenth goal of the season by emerging from the left wing corner and shooting from behind the goal line off the side of goalie Andrew Engelage and into the net. With under a minute to go in the first, Andrew Sarauer scored the Royals' lone even strength goal on a home run pass from Robert Slaney to put the Royals up 3-1. The Devils allowed another power play goal early in the second, this time from Bryan Ewing. Jack Combs answered for Trenton two minutes later as Matt Vokes fed Combs from the left wing boards to the slot. Combs' shot waffled over Engelage's shoulder to put the Devils within two goals. The explosive third period began with Trenton scoring two goals in the first three minutes. While killing off the last minute of a carryover penalty, Jeremy Akeson had a shorthanded breakaway and was denied by Engelage on the short side. Akeson regathered the puck and, with Engelage apparently injured on the play, jammed the puck home for his first goal since returning from injury. Matt Dalton replaced Engelage in net after the goal. Dan Charleston set up Slavomir Tomko for the tying goal on the power play two minutes later. The Royals rebuilt their lead with two consecutive power play goals in the third. Ryan Cruthers scored twice, on the power play at 8:24 and on a delayed penalty at 9:55, giving the Royals a 6-4 edge. Jeff Prough scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the year to get the Devils within striking distance at 14:47. Goalie Gerald Coleman was pulled in the final two minutes. The furious shooting attack from the Devils could not crack Dalton and Reading held on for a 6-5 victory.

DEVILS TOP ELMIRA, 7-5

The Devils built leads of 3-0 and held on for a 7-5 win Sunday at Elmira's first Arena and held on for a 7-5 win. Dan Charleston had first-star honors with four points (2g, 2a) and Dave Caruso made 46 saves for the win. Three goals in the first three minutes saw Trenton take an early 3-0 lead. Charleston created a turnover at the Jackals' blue line and sent a pass to Tony Zancanaro. Zancanaro roofed a backhander past Julien Ellis for a 1-0 Devils lead at :49. Less than a minute later, Carter Lee notched his first professional goal, banging in a loose puck in the crease. Charleston buried a redirection goal at 2:53, set up by Jeremy Akeson, and the Devils had a 3-0 edge. Elmira battled back with three consecutive goals to close out the first. Wes Cunningham beat Caruso with a one-timer at 12:10 and Chris Korchinski netted his tenth of the year at 15:18. A five-on-three power play generated the third goal, a one-timer from Tyler Donati, which tied the game at 18:49. Jeff Prough scored on the power play, beating Ellis through the five-hole, to regain the lead for the Devils. Charleston notched his second of the game at 8:54 of the second to extend the Devils' lead 5-3. Brett Wilson, off of a great feed from Matt Vokes, lengthened Trenton's lead to 6-3 at 7:38 in the third with his first goal since January 30. Elmira netted two more goals in the third, one from Brennan Turner at 9:18 and one from R.J. Anderson at 13:13, to pull within one goal of the lead. Jack Combs' power play goal at 17:57 extended Trenton's lead 7-5 and the Devils held on for a win.

The Week Ahead

Upcoming Games

Friday, February 19, 2010, 7:05 p.m. - Devils at Johnstown Chiefs Saturday, February 20, 2010, 7:05 p.m. - Devils at Johnstown Chiefs

The Devils visit the Chiefs (14-29-5-3, 36pts) for the two teams' first contest in Johnstown since December 26. Trenton leads the season series 5-2 but the Chiefs got the best of the Devils last time the two teams met. The Chiefs are coming off a 5-1 loss to Cincinnati Sunday afternoon. The Chiefs organization, which has called Johnstown home since 1988, are seeking relocation to Greenville, South Carolina for the 2010-11 hockey season.

Sunday, February 21, 2010, 4:00 p.m. - Devils vs. Wheeling Nailers

The Devils host the Wheeling Nailers at the Sun National Bank Center for the first time since January 2. Last time the two teams met, Jack Combs scored two goals and tallied an assist to lead the Devils to a 5-2 win. The Nailers (26-23-2-2, 56pts) are coming off a 5-3 loss at Reading Sunday. Mitch Ganzak ranks second in the ECHL among defensemen with 38 points (7g, 31a).

Upcoming Events and Promotions

Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - "Along the Boards" Broadcast

Join Dan D'Uva on Mardi Gras for an 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.

Sunday, February 21, 2010, 4:00 p.m. - 4 for $49/Jersey Raffle/Autograph Session

Purchase 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas - all for only $49! Lower bowl seating is available. Purchases must be made before 3:00 p.m. Friday before the game. Visit www.trentondevils.com to purchase your package now. Only three more 4 for $49 Sundays left!

Each Sunday home game, a game-worn jersey is raffled off at the sales table behind section 115. Raffle tickets are just $2.

Meet your favorite Trenton Devils players at a post-game autograph session! The session takes place on the concourse approximately 30 minutes after the game.

DEVILS GAME BROADCASTS: Join Dan D'Uva for all the play-by-play action at www.trentondevils.com and select games on Z88.9-FM, plus interviews on You Tube. Upcoming Z88.9 broadcasts include February 19, 20, and 26.

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