Sound Tigers Upended by Norfolk
December 21, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
John Gibson and Jason LaBarbera combined for 40 saves as the Norfolk Admirals downed the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 on Saturday night at the Norfolk Scope.
Ryan Pulock scored the lone goal for the Sound Tigers, who fall to 13-11-3-1 on the season.
Antoine Laganiere started off the scoring for the Admirals. Laganiere backhanded a shot past Kevin Poulin just eight minutes in for his seventh on the year and second in as many games. David Steckel and Andrew O'Brien notched assists on the goal to make it 1-0.
The Sound Tigers had several chances on the power play in the first period, but could not convert. Bridgeport's power play late in the first led to plenty of zone time, but some timely saves by Gibson kept the Sound Tigers at bay. The biggest save came off the stick of Cory Conacher, as Gibson flashed the leather to keep it a one-goal game.
It looked as if the Admirals would go into the first intermission up by one, but the Sound Tigers had other ideas. Ryan Pulock unleashed his lethal slapshot, blasting one past Gibson with just 29 seconds left in the period to tie it up at one. The unassisted tally was Pulock's team-leading 11th goal of the season.
The second period went by fairly uneventfully, with the exception of a five-on-three power play for the Sound Tigers for 1:14. Bridgeport could not covert, as the Admirals played the kill next to perfectly, allowing them to exit the period unscathed.
Gibson continued his strong play in the third period, making a number of big saves to keep the game tied. The Norfolk goaltender made a huge split save midway through the third period on Harry Zolnierczyk on what looked like a sure goal.
With Conacher and Matt Bailey in the box for roughing and Alan Quine getting called for hooking halfway through the third, the Admirals found themselves on a four-on-three power play. With just one second remaining in the four-on-three, Max Friberg slammed home a pass from Brendan Bell to make it 2-1 Admirals. Right after the Admirals goal, Gibson came out of the game with an apparent injury and was replaced by Jason LaBarbera.
The Sound Tigers had the final 10 shots of the game after the goalie change, but LaBarbera stopped them all, helping Gibson earn the win on the night.
Bridgeport's power play went 0-for-5 on the night, while Norfolk went 1-for-3. Kevin Poulin made 29 of 31 saves, earning the No. 3 star for the night.
The Sound Tigers are right back at it tomorrow, making the long bus trip home and taking on the Worcester Sharks at Webster Bank Arena. The game time has officially been moved to 3:00 p.m.
Notes: Conacher, Zolnierczyk and Pulock had five shots each...Gibson made 30 saves before being pulled with 8:26 left in the third...The goal was Pulock's second even strength goal on the year.
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