AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Wotton's Game-Winner Lifts Tigers Over Pirates, 5-4

Published on November 15, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT - Mark Wotton scored the game-winning goal with two seconds left in overtime and Micheal Haley added a goal and an assist as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the Portland Pirates 5-4 in overtime Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The Sound Tigers took five of a possible six points in their three games this weekend.

As the Sound Tigers pressured in the final minute of overtime, Wotton lost control of the puck at the offensive blue-line. However, he recovered in time to skate in and put the puck through the legs of Jhonas Enroth as he was falling to the ice to win it for the Sound Tigers. The goal capped off a three point day for Wotton, who also tallied two assists.

An action-packed first period saw five goals scored. The Sound Tigers got on the board first as Jesse Joensuu tipped a Jon Gleed slap-shot from the right face-off circle into the top corner of the net just 34 seconds into the game. Portland answered back with a power-play goal at the 6:56 mark to tie the score. Tyler Ennis sent a back-door pass through the slot to Jeff Cowan who quickly redirected it past Bridgeport goaltender Nathan Lawson for his fifth goal of the season.

Haley scored his first goal as a Sound Tiger with 9:30 left in the first to make it 2-1 Bridgeport. Haley dug the puck out of the corner along the boards and sent a shot towards the net that deflected off a Pirates defender and into the goal. With six minutes remaining, Tomas Marcinko took a pass from Haley in the slot and snapped a shot past goaltender Jonas Enroth to make it 3-1. Portland drew within a goal when Mike Mancari scored his team leading seventh goal of the season with 3:03 left in the period.

Brett Westgarth scored his second goal of the year with 8:13 left in the second period to make it 4-2. The defenseman took a pass from Joensuu and fired a blast from the blue-line that beat Enroth for a two goal Sound Tigers lead.

The Pirates scored two goals in the third period to tie the game. Cowan netted his second goal of the day at the nine minute mark, converting a feed from Cody McCormick from behind the net. Travis Turnbull evened the score at 4 just over one minute later, pounding home a rebound.

The Sound Tigers out-shot the Pirates 36-31. Lawson made 27 saves to earn the victory for Bridgeport.

The Sound Tigers travel west next weekend for a two game series against the Abbotsford Heat. The teams will meet Friday at 10:30 pm ET and Saturday at 9:00 pm ET. Bridgeport's next home game is Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 pm against the Manchester Monarchs. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2009


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