AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Albany Overtakes Bridgeport For Fourth Place

Published on March 14, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


The Albany River Rats defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-1 before 2,938 fans at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. on Wednesday night. With the win, the River Rats leap-frogged the Sound Tigers into fourth place - and into playoff position - in the East Division.

Albany improved to 31-28-3-2 and Bridgeport dropped to 30-27-1-5 in the first of a five-game road trip. The Sound Tigers, who entered the day with a one-point lead on Albany, now trail the River Rats by a point but have a game in hand as they battle for a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Albany's Keith Aucoin had a goal and two assists and has compiled 15 points in six games against the Sound Tigers this season. Albany leads the season series 4-2.

The River Rats scored power play goals in each of the first two periods and, after the Sound Tigers sliced the lead in half of Jeff Tambellini's team-leading 26th goal early in the third, put the game away with a pair of even-strength tallies.

Ryan Bayda opened the scoring with his 19th goal of the year 3:26 into the game, then earned an assist on Matt Murley's 18th goal 4:51 into the second. Each of the goals came during five-on-four man advantages.

Sound Tiger Eric Boguniecki extended his points streak to seven games when he assisted Tambellini's tally just 26 seconds in the third period to make it a 2-1 game. Boguniecki has four goals and 10 assists during his streak. Albany responded at the 2:03 mark when Aucoin netted his team-best 23rd goal for a 3-1 lead. Antti Laaksonen capped the scoring with his eighth goal at 10:07.

With starting goaltender Wade Dubielewicz on a call-up to the NHL parent club New York Islanders, Billy Thompson got the start between the pipes for the Sound Tigers. Thompson stopped 29 of 33 shots. His counterpart, Tyler Weiman, kicked aside 34 of 35 shots, including 18 of 19 in the third period alone.

Albany was 2-for-8 on the power play and Bridgeport went 0-for-5 on the man advantage.

Newcomers Lance Galbraith and Cam McCaffrey, forwards who signed PTOs in the last couple of days, dressed for their first game with the Sound Tigers.

The Sound Tigers visit the Norfolk Admirals Friday and Saturday, both at 7:15 p.m. and travel to Philadelphia for a 5:05 p.m. face-off with the Phantoms on Sunday. They end the road trip next Friday at Binghamton. The next home game is Saturday, March 24th when the Portland Pirates visit the Arena at Harbor Yard at 7 p.m. Great seats are available at the Arena Box Office and group discounts are available for all home games by calling the Sound Tigers at 334-4625. If you can't make it to the game, you can still follow all of the action. Please click on "listen to the game" to hear all of the action as Phil Giubileo calls the play-by-play, or click the b2 link at the right of the main Sound Tigers Web page and subscribe to watch this year's games. Visit soundtigers.com for information.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2007


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