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DEVILS WEEKLY: FEBRUARY 16-22, 2010

Trenton, N.J. - After picking up a maximum six points this weekend, the surging Trenton Devils (22-23-4-5, 53pts) have the second place Reading Royals (25-23-1-3, 54pts) in their sights and have extended their winning streak to four consecutive games, the longest of the season. The Elmira Jackals (30-18-3-2, 65pts) continue to power forward, having won eight of their last ten games and extending their East lead to 11 points over Reading. Johnstown (14-31-5-3, 36pts) remains at the bottom of the ECHL and has lost its last five games, including its last two against Trenton. The Devils look to extend their winning streak when they face the Elmira Jackals at First Arena on Friday night and the Reading Royals at the Sun National Bank Center on Saturday night.

Quick Hits

-Matt Vokes is having a fantastic February with six goals and seven assists in a six game point streak. The Brown alum netted four goals, including a natural hat trick, earning first star honors and propelling the Devils to a 7-4 victory over the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday. The last Devil to score four goals in a single game was Nick Deschenes on March 4, 2005 against Greenville. Vokes, who has amassed 34 points (11g, 23a) in 34 games this season, leads the Devils in the last ten games with 20 points (8g, 12a).

-After missing ten games due to injury, Chris Poli made a triumphant return to the Devils' lineup this weekend with points in each game. Poli netted six points (4g, 2a) this weekend, including a hat trick in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Chiefs. The Brown alum also collected first star honors on Friday and Saturday in Johnstown. Poli has recorded 21 points (7g, 14a) in 18 games with the Devils this season.

-Tim Kunes netted his first power play goal of the season, the eventual game-winning goal, on Saturday at Johnstown. Kunes recorded his fifth and sixth multi-point games of the season this weekend, collecting a goal and an assist on Saturday and a goal and two assists on Sunday. The Boston College product was also named the second star of the game on Sunday. One of only two Devils to play in all 54 games this season, Kunes has collected 27 points (5g, 22a), 11 coming on the power play.

-With Saturday's 6-1 victory over the Johnstown Chiefs, Dave Caruso earned his fourth consecutive win. Since returning from a knee injury on January 30, Caruso has sparkled in goal, earning a 6-1 record. The Devils have surged along with Caruso, going for a 7-3 run since Caruso's return. The Roswell, Georgia native ranks eighth in the ECHL with a save percentage of 0.908 and has a GAA of 3.13.

The Week in Review

DEVILS DOWN CHIEFS, 3-1

The Devils began their final visit to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena with a win against the Johnstown Chiefs, who will relocate to Greenville, SC next season. Chris Poli made a triumphant return to the lineup, recording two points in Trenton's 3-1 win over the Chiefs. The returning Poli put the Devils on the board first, with a goal late in the first period. A choppy second period saw an exchange of fruitless power plays, with a stretch of four-on-four hockey mixed in. Jeff Martens ripped a shot past Dave Caruso at 15:06 of the second to tie the game at 1-1. The Devils took the lead for good on a power play goal in the third period. With the Devils already on a five-on-four advantage, Trevor Hendrikx took this third minor of the game at 10:00 leading to a two-man advantage for Trenton. Dan Charleston found Chris Poli at the right goal line for a quick centering feed to Matt Vokes for the backdoor finish at 10:10. Dan Eves added an unassisted empty net goal in the last minute of play, sealing the 3-1 victory for the Devils. Dave Caruso earned his third consecutive victory, his eleventh of the year, making 32 saves, while his counterpart, John Murray, made 32 stops in the loss.

DEVILS DOMINATE CHIEFS, 6-2

The Devils said goodbye to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena with a 6-2 beating of Johnstown Saturday night. Chris Poli, in just his second game back from injury, had the second Devils' hat trick of the season, and Dan Charleston and Matt Vokes collected three assists each. The Devils outshot the Chiefs 10-0 in the opening minutes and were able to capitalize on early power plays. A five-on-three in the first five minutes led to Trenton's first score. Tony Zancanaro, in the crease, passed back to Chris Poli who fired around Zancanaro's screen for a 1-0 Devils lead at 4:26 of the first. Jim McKenzie tied the game for Johnstown on a power play goal at 2:56 of the second. The Devils took the lead back two minutes later, again utilizing the two-man advantage. Tim Kunes' wrister from the high slot sailed over goalie John Murray's left shoulder for the power play goal at 13:35 to give the Devils a 2-1 lead late in the second. Trenton scored three goals in the span of 80 seconds early in the third. With Jim McKenzie in the box with a double minor for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct, the Devils scored on consecutive power plays. Chris Poli buried his second of the game at 3:08 and Ryan Ginand extended the Devils lead to 4-1 shortly after the penalty was reset. Roughing minors to each side created a four-on-four situation, and Dan Charleston teamed with Chris Poli for yet another score at 4:28. After Slavomir Tomko got the puck to the right goal line for Charleston, the feed came to the goal mouth for Poli's finish, completing the hat trick. Brett Wilson scored his eighth of the season to make it 6-1. Johnstown notched one more goal but the Devils held on for their seventh win in nine meetings with Johnstown. Dave Caruso won his fourth consecutive start, stopping 41 shots in his twelfth win of the season.

TRENTON SURGES TO VICTORY OVER WHEELING, 7-4

A physical, back and forth contest between the Devils and the Nailers was settled by Matt Vokes' four-goal outburst, including a natural hat trick late in the game, to lead the 7-4 victory Sunday at the Sun National Bank Center. Five Devils had multi-point games as Trenton extended its win streak to four consecutive games, the longest of the season. With the Devils in a 1-0 hole on a tip to their own net, Vokes put the game back on an even keel with a quick deke to the backhand. Tim Kunes tallied his fifth of the season, a power play goal, with just 25 seconds left in the first to put the Devils up 2-1. Wheeling scored two consecutive goals through heavy traffic at the front of the net to go up 3-2 early in the second. Casey Pierro-Zabotel deflected the puck past Gerald Coleman for his eleventh of the season at 1:43 and Thomas Beauregard poked the puck past Coleman for his thirty-third of the season at 6:34. Matt Vokes scored the next three goals of the game, all on the rebound, to put the Devils up 5-3 early in the third. Vokes' second of the game knotted the contest 3-3 at the end of the second period. Vokes' third came just 1:36 into the third and this fourth and eleventh goal of the season came on the power play at 5:19. Jeff Prough extended Trenton's lead to three goals at 7:59 of the third with a power play goal. Less than a minute later, Wheeling's T.J. Fox netted his twentieth of the season to cut the Devils' lead to two goals. Brett Wilson's toe-drag goal at 12:50 put the game out of reach and the Devils emerged victorious. Gerald Coleman stopped 32 shots to earn his first win since January 27.

The Week Ahead

Upcoming Games

Friday, February 26, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Devils at Elmira Jackals

The Devils visit the Elmira Jackals (30-18-3-2, 65pts) for the second and last time in February on Friday. The Jackals have continued to power forward, having won eight of their last ten games. Last time the two teams met, the Dan Charleston recorded a four point game (2g, 2a) and the Devils powered to a 7-5 victory. The Jackals' Tyler Donati leads the ECHL with 85 points (31g, 54a).

Saturday, February 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Devils vs. Reading Royals

Trenton faces Reading (25-23-1-3, 54pts) for the fourth time this month on Saturday. The Devils, who are 2-6-2-1 against the Royals this season, look to gain ground on their division rival. Last time the two teams met, the Royals took a 6-5 victory in a back-and-forth contest. Ben Gordon leads the Royals in points (56), goals (21), and assists (35).

Upcoming Events and Promotions

Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - "Along the Boards" Broadcast

Join Dan D'Uva for the last February 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.

Saturday, February 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Jeff Frazee Bobblehead/Jersey Raffle

The first 2,000 Devils fans in attendance will receive a Jeff Frazee bobblehead courtesy of St. Francis Medical Center.

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

Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Dollar Dog Night

Enjoy a hot dog for just $1, available a select concession stands.

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 26, March 2, and March 5-7.

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