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DEVILS WEEKLY: MARCH 9-15, 2010

Trenton, N.J. - The Trenton Devils (27-26-4-5, 63pts), winners of three consecutive, climbed in the American Conference standings this week to ninth place, just one point behind the Reading Royals who sit in the eighth and final playoff slot. The Devils, who are 7-3-0-0 in their last ten games, leapt over the Wheeling Nailers (29-29-2-4, 64pts) and the Gwinnett Gladiators (28-28-4-3, 63pts) in the standings. The seventh place Toledo Walleye (31-26-2-4, 68pts) are within striking distance, just three points ahead of the Devils. The Devils look to continue to surge in the American Conference standings on a three-game road trip with stops in Charlotte and Gwinnett.

The East Division regular season championship is also not out of reach for the Devils. Elmira leads the division with 74 points, eight better than second-place Reading, nine better than Trenton, 31 better than last-place Johnstown. Trenton has four consecutive games against Elmira in the last week of the season, with a regular season finale at Reading.

QUICK HITS

-Chris Poli led the Devils with seven points (2g, 5a) this week to start off a three game point streak. The Brown alum marked his seventh multi-point performance of the season, tallying three points (1g, 2a) on the way to being named the second star of the game on Saturday. Poli has 32 points (10g, 22a) in 27 games for the Devils this season.

-Dan Eves marked his seventh multi-point game of the season on Wednesday against the Walleye. The Lake Orion, Michigan native racked up five points this week and currently has a three-game point streak. Eves has recorded 34 points (16g, 18a) in 50 games with the Devils this season.

-Jeff Prough leads all Devils with ten points (4g, 6a) in the last five games. The Farmington Hills, Michigan native recorded his team-leading 15th multi-point game of the season on Wednesday when he contributed four assists to help the Devils over the Walleye. Prough stands atop the team leader board in points (51) and goals (25).

-Matt Vokes amassed four points (3g, 1a) in Wednesday's win over Toledo, including his second professional hat trick. It was the Auburn, Massachusetts native's tenth multi-point game of the season. Vokes ranks second among the Devils with 45 points (17g, 28a).

-Tim Kunes recorded three points (2g, 1a), including his first professional game-winning goal, to lead the Devils to a 5-4 victory over Kalamazoo on Saturday. It was the Boston College alum's seventh multi-point game of the season and his first time collecting first star honors. One of only two Devils to play in all 63 games for the Devils this season, Kunes leads defensemen with 33 points (7g, 26a).

-After missing 14 games due to injury, Devils' Captain Trevor Kell made his presence known with two goals in his return to the lineup. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native recorded the first goal of the evening and scored the game-winner in the overtime thriller for his tenth multi-point performance of the season. Kell has 29 points (14g, 15a) in 35 games with the Devils.

-Dave Caruso continued his excellent play in net this week, picking up wins in three consecutive games. The Ohio State grad has won seven of his last ten and has a cumulative GAA of 3.09 and a 0.909 SV%.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

DEVILS COMPLETE COMBACK OVER WALLEYE, 9-6

The highest scoring game for Trenton in more than a year yielded a 9-6 triumph for the Devils over the Toledo Walleye Wednesday at the Sun National Bank Center. Six players had multi-point performances for the Devils and neither starting goalie survived. Despite Trenton's early lead, the first period ended in a 3-3 tie. Matt Vokes scored all three Devils goals in the frame, netting his second professional hat trick. On the Toledo side, Chris Robertson, Akim Aliu and Simon Danis-Pepin each netted one for the Walleye. Toledo jumped out to a 5-3 lead early in the second period on goals by Sal Peralta and Maxime Tanguay. Brett Wilson tipped in an Andy Thomas slapshot for his twelfth of the season at 9:22 and Scooter Smith scored his tenth at 10:01. With the Walleye up 6-4, Rick Kowalsky pulled Gerald Coleman in favor of Dave Caruso. Just over five minutes into the third, Toledo goalie Alec Richards was pulled in favor of Jordan Pearce. Trenton exploded with five goals in the third to earn the comeback victory. The scoring started with a slapshot from the right-wing circle by Chris Poli at 1:16, followed by Wilson's second goal of the game at 2:18 to tie the game 6-6. Jack Combs gave Trenton a 7-6 lead at 4:45 with what would turn out to be the game-winner. Coutu became the sixth Devil to record multiple points when he fired a wide open slap shot from high in the slot for the Devils' eighth goal of the evening. Dan Eves capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal at 19:24. Caruso stopped all ten shots he faced in his thirty minutes for the win. Matt Vokes recorded his second four point game of the season (3g, 1a) and Chris Poli (1g, 2a), Dan Eves (1g, 2a), and Brett Wilson (2g, 1a) each contributed three points in the win.

DEVILS RALLY, BEAT WALLEYE IN OT, 3-2

Trenton Captain Trevor Kell returned to the lineup for the first time in 14 contests on Saturday and scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime to top the Toledo Walleye 3-2. Kell opened the scoring by backhanding in a rebound after a Dan Eves drive from the slot at 14:43 in the first. Mike Hedden answered for the Walleye just 37 seconds later with a backdoor goal on Dave Caruso's blocker side to tie the game, 1-1. Toledo had two near-goals disallowed in the second period but still earned a 2-1 advantage, due in part to compulsory retaliation penalties in protection of Caruso's crease. With Matt Vokes in the box for high-sticking 14 seconds after a separate Devils retaliation infraction, Joe Charlebois used the open ice of the five-on-three power play to wheel to the top of the point and sail a slapshot past the glove of Caruso for the defenseman's fifth of the season at 2:48. The third period remained scoreless until Dan Charleston converted on the Devils' eighth power play opportunity to tie the game at 9:37. Dave Caruso made some sparkling saves throughout the game but none more so than when he confidently poke-checked the puck away from Akim Aliu on a breakaway. The Devils converted at 2:21 into the extra frame. Dave Leaderer took a shot from the point, through the legs of Kell and into the pads of Jordan Pearce. Anticipating a rebound, Kell made a diving spin move around the defender on the goal-side, laid out and swept the puck through the pads of Pearce while falling down for the overtime winner, his 14th goal and second game-winner at 2:21. Trenton's second consecutive win was just its second overtime win in eleven chances this season.

DEVILS SKATE PAST WINGS, 5-4

The Devils handed Kalamazoo their first regulation loss in twelve games in a hard-fought 5-4 victory Saturday at the Sun Center. Rookie defenseman Tim Kunes collected points in the final three Devils' goals, including his first career game-winning goal. A fast-paced first ended 2-1 in the Devils favor starting with the tenth of the season for Chris Poli at 9:17, shaking his defender and wiring a wrist shot to the top left corner from the right wing circle. Jeff Prough made it 2-0 when he knocked in a rebound off of a Dave Leaderer shot on the power play. The Wings responded just over four minutes later with a power play goal of their own, a rebound goal by Trent Daavettila at 16:10. The Devils went up 3-1 early in the second as Dan Eves dug the puck out of the right corner and went straight to the post, jamming the puck past Ryan Nie on his third attempt at 3:20. Goals by Rick Cleaver and Dean Strong less than two minutes apart knotted the game at 8:58 of the second. Kunes regained the Devils' lead with his sixth of the season at 15:44. Tony Zancanaro put a backhander toward the net that was blocked to the right wing for Kunes who skated around the perimeter of the circle close to the boards before ripping a wrist shot over Nie's shoulder, ending the second period with the Devils ahead, 4-3. After a scoreless first half of the third, Dean Strong tipped Tom Morrow's point shot onto Caruso who made a pad save and the rebound trickled in the crease. As a Devils defenseman tried to find the puck, he inadvertently kicked it into the net for the power play goal at 12:43, tying the game 4-4. Just over one minute into the Devils fifth and final power play opportunity of the game, Poli received a pass from Dan Charleston down low to the left of Nie. Poli squeezed the pass between Nie and the Kalamazoo defense to Kunes at the opposite point. Less patiently than on his first goal, Kunes blew another wrist shot over the shoulder of Nie, just under the crossbar and inside the long post for the eventual game-winner at 16:33. Dave Caruso made 27 saves for the win and Kalamazoo's Ryan Nie stopped 23 stops for the loss.

THE WEEK AHEAD

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, March 19, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Devils at Charlotte Checkers

The Devils face the Charlotte Checkers (35-20-4-3, 77pts) on Friday, their first and only visit to the Time Warner Cable Arena this season. The Checkers sit in fifth place in the American Conference, three points behind the fourth place Kalamazoo Wings. Coming off of a 4-2 win over Gwinnett on Sunday, the Checkers have won four straight and have not lost in regulation in six consecutive games. Tyler Doig leads the Checkers with 65 points (17g, 48a).

Saturday, March 20, 2010, 7:05 p.m. - Devils at Gwinnett Gladiators Sunday, March 21, 2010, 4:05 p.m. - Devils at Gwinnett Gladiators

The Devils travel to Georgia the second time this season to play the Gwinnett Gladiators (28-28-4-3, 63pts). The Gladiators sit in eleventh place in the American Conference, just two points behind the ninth place Devils and three points behind the eighth place Royals. After being swept by Charlotte in a three-game series, the Gladiators are just 3-5-1-1 in their last ten. The Gladiators own the ECHL's top power play unit, going 71-for-312 on the season at 22.8%. Forward Tim Miller is currently on a 10-game point streak, racking up four goals and nine assists since February 24.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS

Monday, March 15, 2010, 6:30 p.m. - Season Ticket Holder Skate with the Devils

All Devils season ticket holders are invited to skate with Devils' players, take pictures, and get autographs tonight at the Sun Center.

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

Join Dan D'Uva for the March 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.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 3:00 p.m. - 1st Annual Career Fair

The Trenton Devils are pleased to announce their first annual Career Fair to be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm prior to the Trenton Devils versus Johnstown Chiefs game that evening. Don't miss this opportunity to speak with representatives from various companies and sports organizations regarding job and internship opportunities. There is a $10.00 registration fee that includes admission to the career fair as well as a ticket to the game that evening. The Career Fair will be held at the Sun National Bank Center (Formerly Sovereign Bank Arena).

To purchase your tickets please contact Jacqueline Koloski at 609-599-9500 ext. 130 or jkoloski@trentondevils.com

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Dollar Dog Night

Hot dogs are just $1 at select concession stands.

Saturday, March 27, 2010, 4:00 p.m. - Devils Alumni Game

Come and watch New Jersey alumni as they return to the ice!

Saturday, March 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m. - Scorch's Mascot Mania/Jersey Raffle

Mascots from the area will join Scorch for a night of fun!

Don't miss your chance to win an Eric Castonguay Red Trenton Devils game-worn jersey. Visit the table behind section 115 for your chance to win. Chances are just $2.

Sunday, March 28, 2010, 12:30 p.m. - Ryan's Cup 2

The Hamilton Fire Department will take on the Hamilton Police Department once again to benefit Ryan's Quest, an organization created to help spread awareness and find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. All those who purchase a ticket will get to attend the Trenton Devils vs. Elmira Jackals game for free! Visit www.ryansquest.org.

Sunday, March 28, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - Community Blood Council Blood Drive

The Community Blood Council BloodMobile will be parked at the SunCenter at 1p.m. All those who donate will get a Buy One Get One Free coupon good for tonights game! Each unit of blood that you donate helps save up to 3 lives -- donate and help save a life!

Saturday, March 28, 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.

Don't miss your chance to own a Mark Pandolfo White Trenton Devils game-worn jersey. Visit the table behind section 115 for your chance to win. Tickets are just $2.

Come meet the 2009-10 Trenton Devils after the game! Autograph session takes place approx. 30 min. after the game.

Saturday, April 3, 2010, 7:05 p.m. - Bus Trip to Reading

Ride our chartered bus to Reading to cheer on your Trenton Devils in their last game of the regular season as they face-off against the Reading Royals on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are just $35 for admission to the game, transportation to and from the Sovereign Center, and a Trenton Devils fan pack. The bus will leave at 4:00 p.m. from the Trenton Devils front office located at Roebling Market, 635 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611. Contact Kristen Bartholomew to reserve your seat at 609-599-9500 or email kbartholomew@trentondevils.com.

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 March 19-21.

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