AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Bears Claw Past Sound Tigers

Published on March 31, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


The Hershey Bears scored two times in a span of 22 seconds late in the third period to come from behind and nip the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 6-5 before 8,392 fans at Hershey's Giant Center on Saturday night. Chris Bourque scored a hat-trick to help the Bears overcome Sound Tiger newcomer James Sixsmith's first two professional goals.

The Sound Tigers dropped to 33-33-1-5 and slipped two points behind fourth-place Albany, which won on Saturday, in the race for the East Division's final playoff spot. Hershey, meanwhile, jumped past Norfolk (which lost to Albany) into first place in the East Division. The Bears improved to a league-best 46-14-6-6.

Just nine seconds after Sixsmith gave the Sound Tigers a 5-4 lead at 16:38 of the third period Bourque scored his third of the game and 23rd of the season to tie the game, setting the stage for Quintin Lang's game winner at the 17:09 mark. Lang redirected a shot by Troy Milam (who had three assists) past Sound Tigers' goaltender Billy Thompson for the decisive goal.

Sixsmith, playing in only his second game since joining the Sound Tigers, netted his first pro goal a day after Kyle Rank scored his first pro goal. Sixsmith found the net on a setup by the Johnson and Johnson connection. Gregg Johnson and Jamie Johnson both assisted his first-period tally which gave the Sound Tigers a 2-1 lead. Both Johnsons also scored goals as did Mark Wotton who has points in six straight games.

Down 2-1 late in the first, the Bears struck for three straight goals in a span of three minutes to cap a four-goal opening period outburst. Alexandre Giroux scored his 39th of the campaign to tie the game on the power play at 15:01. Joey Tenute scored for a 3-2 lead at 17:00 and Bourque scored his first of the game, shorthanded, for a 4-2 lead at the 18:01 mark. The Sound Tigers got to within 4-3 with the only goal of the middle period.

Bridgeport was 0-for-6 on the power play and Hershey went 1-for-5 on the man advantage. The Bears outshot the Sound Tigers 36-27 and Hershey goalie Maxime Daigneault came up with 22 saves, while Thompson had 30 stops.

The Bears averted a fourth straight overtime game at home against the Sound Tigers who had won each of the first three games in Chocolatetown - one in OT and a pair in shootouts. The Sound Tigers won the season series 6-2 and could face Hershey in the playoffs if they can overcome Albany in the standings. The Sound Tigers and Albany River Rats face-off in a crucial game Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard - face-off is set for 4 p.m.

The Sound Tigers signed Quebec native and forward David Deshamais to an ATO prior to the game.

Great seats for Sound Tiger games are available at the Arena Box Office. 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 remaining games. Visit soundtigers.com for information.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2007


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