Sundstrom, McDonald Score in Loss
January 24, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Justin Hodgman scored 2:13 into the overtime frame as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers fell to the Portland Pirates, 3-2 on Saturday night at Webster Bank Arena.
Both teams started the game out playing very defensively, with neither getting many chances. However, the Sound Tigers struck first when Johan Sundstrom corralled a bouncing puck and fired a shot past Portland goaltender Louis Domingue at the low right post. The period ended with the Sound Tigers up by one, but it easily could've been a tie game if not for an outstanding save by Bridgeport's Kevin Poulin on a Portland 2-on-1.
The second period started out with a snarl, as a brawl ensued between Portland's Francis Wathier and Bridgeport's Brett Gallant. The linesmen attempted to break the fight up after a while, but the combatants kept going, resulting in 34 penalty minutes between the two.
Henrik Samuelsson would score the equalizer just over halfway through the game after a Bridgeport turnover behind the net resulted in offensive pressure for the Pirates and a delayed penalty on the Sound Tigers. The goal was the former first-round pick's eighth of the season.
A Bridgeport turnover almost resulted in a short-handed goal for the Pirates, but Poulin was once again up to the challenge, making the save and keeping the game tied. The second period ended with both teams even at one, thanks to excellent play by both netminders.
The Pirates took the lead early in the third period when a strange bounce off of a faceoff landed on the tape of Jordan Szwarz's stick. From there, the winger fired the puck past Poulin's leg, putting Portland up by one. However, the lead would be short lived, as the Sound Tigers responded with a goal of their own just under a minute later. Colin McDonald took the puck into the high slot and fired a spinning shot past Domingue for his 14 th tally of the season, giving him the team lead in goals.
Portland had a golden opportunity to take the lead late in the game with Bridgeport's Kael Mouillierat in the penalty box for slashing, but Poulin stole a sure goal away from the Pirates with an unbelievable diving save.
The game ended up going to overtime, with each team receiving a point. Portland would walk out of the building with the extra point when Hodgman snapped a wicked wrist shot past Poulin's glove, giving the Pirates the victory. The goal came about when a broken play gave Portland a quick 2-on-1. Selling the fake pass well, Hodgman then whipped the puck into the mesh for the game-winner.
Domingue made 34 saves for the win and Poulin made 33 saves in the losing effort. The game featured exceptional play by both netminders, as they denied good chance after good chance.
The Sound Tigers return to action on Friday, Jan. 30 when the visit the Hartford Wolf Pack.
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