Struggles continue in Trenton

VOORHEES, NJ — Last season was easily the worst in the Trenton Devils history.   Having the fewest points (65), wins (29), and only 183 goals scored, easily contributed to the Devils missing the ECHL playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.   Unfortunately for the Devils, the start to the 2008-09 season has not been much better as the team struggles to get wins, goals, and avoid being buried in the American Conference standings.   While last year’s squad was a predominantly young squad, many of this year’s issues involve a constantly changing roster that is having a domino effect with the parent club (New Jersey Devils), as well as the AHL group in Lowell.   Injuries at the NHL level, most notably to goalie Martin Brodeur, have forced a number of changes to the organizational rosters at Lowell which have had a trickle down effect at Trenton.   At the start of the season, the Devils top goaltending prospect Jeff Frazee (2^nd round 2005 draft) was sent to Trenton to begin his first full season as a professional.     Through five games, Frazee had a 2-2-0 record and a 2.65 goals against average (GAA), and looked to be settling in nicely in Trenton.   As a result of the injury to Brodeur, Frazee is now splitting time in Lowell with last season’s starter in Trenton, Dave Caruso.   Also, now at Lowell are the T-Devils top two goal scorers for this season, Eric Castonguay and Trevor Kell.     Both Castonguay and Kell each had five goals in Trenton prior to their recalls. Castonguay also was the Trenton point leader with 14 and both players, in just their second year of pro hockey, were alternate captains for Head Coach Rick Kowalsky, whose job has not been made any easier with constantly shuffling new players into the lineup on a nightly basis.   While the Devils are in the bottom half of most categories in the ECHL, they do have the sixth best power play (16 goals, 20.3%) in the league through their first 12 games.   Offensively the Devils are just ahead of last year’s pace and the defensive numbers are similar yet the effort has been inconsistent at best.   Jason Smith, who finished last season as the starter following Caruso’s call up to Lowell, has struggled this season (0-6-1, 4.44 GAA). After surrendering four goals in the first period at Johnstown on November 14, Smith was replaced by emergency backup Matt Conti.   The next night in Reading, newly acquired keeper Charlie Effinger was between the pipes

and led the Devils to just their third win of the season. Effinger was picked up from the Gwinnett Gladiators that same day making his Devils debut.     Defenseman Ryan Gunderson is tied with Castonguay for the team lead in assists with nine while rookie Tyler Burton has added four goals and five assists for Trenton and was recently brought up to Lowell for a game.   Burton did play six games in Lowell last season after completing his NCAA play at Colgate University.   One alarming number for Trenton has been the declining attendance.   After drawing an average of 7,082 in their inaugural season in 1999-00, the numbers have gone down each season since then.   This season’s average of 2,437 through seven home games is ahead of only the Johnstown Chiefs, and on pace to be the team’s worst season ever attendance wise.   The Devils 1-6-0 record on home ice has not helped these numbers.   Contact the author at tom.hoffman@prohockeynews.com     Contact the photographer at  Lewis.bleiman@prohockeynews.com (*NOTE – The Devils were previous known as the Titans)