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Bentivoglio's tally 25 seconds into overtime gives Sound Tigers 4-3 victory over Hershey

April 3, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Bridgeport Islanders News Release


Bridgeport, Conn. - It took only 25 seconds into the overtime session for Sound Tiger forward Sean Bentivoglio to complete a 4-3 comeback win over the Hershey Bears. Three unanswered goals starting in the second period from Jesse Joensuu and then Tyler Haskins in the third set the stage for Bentivoglio's game-winning goal in the extra session. Peter Mannino was in net for the Sound Tigers, stopping 29 shots to earn his 15th win of the season. Jamie Fraser was named the second star of the game with a goal and an assist for the Sound Tigers. Hershey received scoring from Grant McNeill, Mathieu Perrault and Darren Reid. The Sound Tigers climb a point closer to the Bears with the overtime victory as they now have sole possession of second place in the East Division with 100 points and a record of 46-23-3-5.

Opening the scoring in the first period was Fraser when he banged home his first goal since February 11 against the San Antonio Rampage. Junior Lessard led the breakout from the Sound Tigers' zone, hitting Jesse Joensuu in stride as he skated into the Bears' zone. Joensuu waited for traffic to form in front of the net and snapped a shot that Hershey starting goalie, Daren Machesney was able to turn aside with his right pad. The puck sailed towards Fraser who was in the left circle where he one-timed the puck over Machesney's blocker for the 1-0 Sound Tiger lead, on Fraser's seventh goal of the season. Hershey would answer, starting with a goal from the Bears' fourth line with three minutes to play in the first period. Former Sound Tigers Kip Brennan took a backhand shot from the right circle that Mannino was able to kick away, but McNeill was there to deposit his third goal of the season and tie the score at one. Less than a minute later, the Bears would take the lead on the power-play when Perreault tapped a back-door pass from Alexandre Giroux behind Mannino, for the 2-1 lead. Sami Lepisto had the second assist on Perreault's 11th tally of the season.

In the second period, Hershey would add to their lead, 2:47 into the middle frame when Reid slid his second marker of the year past Mannino. Andrew Gordon had the lone assist, giving the Bears the 3-1 lead. The Sound Tigers would go on the man-advantage on a Tyler Sloan interference penalty half-way through the period. Fraser was once again in the middle of the action for the Sound Tigers as he wristed a shot on goal, through traffic that Joensuu redirected through Machesney's legs for cut the lead to 3-2. Dustin Kohn had an assist on Joensuu's 19th goal of the season.

Haskins would jam the equalizer under Machesney, sending the 5,389 fans in attendance into a frenzy, 5:43 into the third period. Sean Bentivoglio ripped a shot on net that Machesney stopped, but was unable to cover the rebound. Haskins was stationed just off the left post and shoveled the puck past the Hershey net-minder to tie the score at 3-3. Jon Sim also had an assist on Haskins' tenth goal of the season.

It took only 25 seconds of overtime for the Sound Tigers to score the game-winner. Dustin Kohn took a wrist shot from the top of the left circle that Machesney knocked away with his blocker. Haskins was once again parked in front and snapped a shot on the Hershey net-minder. Machesney made the save but kicked the puck out into the high slot where Bentivoglio was to score his 13th goal of the season and win the game 4-3 for the Sound Tigers.

Mannino finished the game with 29 saves on 32 shots to collect his 15th win of the season. Machesney turned aside 31 shots in the defeat. The Sound Tigers were 1-for-3 on the power-play and 2-for-3 on the penalty-kill.

The Sound Tigers will have the night off tomorrow before returning to action on Sunday afternoon against the Albany River Rats. Face-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. On Friday, April 17 and Saturday April 18, the Sound Tigers will play their first two home games of the Calder Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum. For information or tickets to any of the Sound Tigers' remaining home games or playoff dates, contact the team's front office at (203) 334-GOAL or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.


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