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 Bridgeport Islanders

Bridgeport shut out by Manchester

April 12, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Kevin Poulin made 25 saves, but the Manchester Monarchs shut out the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena.

Colin Miller got the scoring started early for the Monarchs, notching his 19th goal of the season just 1:23 into the game. A nice pass from Alex Lintuniemi -- playing in his first AHL game -- to a wide-open Miller allowed the defenseman to wind up and fire a rocket of a shot that beat Bridgeport goaltender Poulin low blocker side.

The game slowed down from there, with both teams playing good defensive hockey and denying each other many scoring chances. Bridgeport's Johan Sundstrom had a chance to tie the game while on the power play late in the first period, but hit the crossbar.

Kevin Gravel doubled the Monarchs' lead with a seeing-eye-shot at 9:08 of the second period. The defenseman fired a shot from the blue line that Poulin couldn't see through a screen, giving Gravel his sixth goal of the season.

The Monarchs nearly increased their lead to three immediately after scoring their second goal, but they were unable to capitalize on a power play opportunity. Then Bridgeport's Kael Mouillierat nearly scored midway through the second period, but his backhand shot pinballed off the post and wide.

Manchester's Michael Mersch scored on a short-handed penalty shot 10 seconds into the third period, increasing Bridgeport's deficit to three. He was tripped and denied a scoring chance with his path to the Bridgeport net clear, resulting in a penalty shot being awarded rather than a standard minor penalty. The goal was Mersch's 20th of the season.

Bridgeport captain Aaron Ness had an excellent chance to get the Sound Tigers on the board while on the power play midway through the third period, but Manchester goaltender Patrik Bartosak was able to make the save, keeping his shutout bid alive.

A brawl broke out with just under five minutes remaining in the game, resulting in 40 penalty minutes being issued at once. The scrum was a long time coming, as two previous fights had caused the teams to play very physically.

The Monarchs put the icing on the cake with a power play goal at 17:48 of the third period. Scott Sabourin was able to pick up a rebound, backhanding it past the sprawling goaltender for his fourth goal of the season.

Poulin made 24 saves in the loss and Bartosak made 18 saves for the shutout victory. Bridgeport went 0-for-4 on the power play and Manchester went 1-for-4.

The Sound Tigers return to action Friday night when the visit the Hartford Wolf Pack. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

Notes: A combined 64 penalty minutes were issued to the teams...Poulin played his first game for the Sound Tigers since March 29...Today's game marked just the second time this season that Sound Tigers surrendered a goal on a penalty shot.


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