Beck the star for Bridgeport in win
December 11, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
PORTLAND, Maine - A pair of goals in the third period from Taylor Beck led the Sound Tigers to a 3-1 win over the Portland Pirates on Friday night at Cross Insurance Arena.
Justin Vaive added an insurance goal with 1:53 remaining in regulation to help Bridgeport to its second win in as many games. Christopher Gibson made 27 saves for the victory.
Both teams traded a pair of power plays in the opening period, but neither could score on the man advantage. Gibson stopped all 13 shots he faced in the first, including a sparkling pad save where he kicked out his left leg just past the midway point of the frame.
Moments after Gibson's big stop, the Pirates looked to have scored the game's opening goal. Chase Balisy slapped a loose puck into the Sound Tigers' net, but the referee immediately waved off the play as the puck was knocked into the net illegally with a hand.
The only goal of the second period came after Bridgeport went down two men early in the period. As Rocco Grimaldi was serving a double minor for high sticking, the Sound Tigers took a pair of penalties. Grimaldi came out of the box and scored on the ensuing 5-on-3 to open the scoring at 1-0.
Bridgeport received power play after power play in the third period and finally took advantage midway through the final frame. Beck got the puck at the top of the left circle and wired a shot over the glove of Pirates goalie Sam Brittain to tie the hockey game up at 1-1. Bracken Kearns and Jesse Graham notched the assists on Beck's fourth of the season.
Beck scored five minutes later, breaking the deadlock with just under four minutes left in the third period. The winger received a pass from James Wright and made a power move to the front of the net, backhanding a shot past Brittain to give the Sound Tigers the lead for good. Vaive's seventh goal of the season two minutes later slipped under Brittain and ended the scoring on the night.
A penalty-filled game ended with both teams going 1-for-7 on the power play. Brittain made 22 saves in a losing effort.
The Sound Tigers look to make it three straight when they travel to Hartford tomorrow to take on the Wolf Pack. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
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