Bridgeport shut out by Syracuse on Sunday
March 15, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Kristers Gudlevskis made 29 saves as the Syracuse Crunch shut out the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena.
The game started out quickly, with both team getting scoring opportunities. The Sound Tigers had a big chance to strike first when Syracuse's Slater Koekkoek took a four-minute double minor for high sticking, but the Crunch's penalty kill proved up for the challenge, denying Bridgeport from getting many shots on goal.
Syracuse got a power play opportunity of their own soon after, as Bridgeport's John Persson went off for hooking. The Crunch would not squander their man-advantage, as Yanni Gourde scored just nine seconds into the power play, giving Syracuse a 1-0 lead. The goal, Gourde's 24th of the season, was a one-timer, made possible by a nice feed from Koekkoek.
The first period ended with the score 1-0. Though Bridgeport had six shots to Syracuse's five, the Crunch dominated play, with goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis not having to make too many tough saves.
The second period started out in much the same fashion, with both teams playing strong defense and denying any quality scoring chances. However, that all changed when the Crunch had a bevy of excellent scoring opportunities with about 12 minutes left in the period. Despite being knocked over, Bridgeport goaltender Kent Simpson was somehow able to keep the puck out of the net, keeping the deficit at one.
The Sound Tigers got a power play right after Simpson's great sequence, on which they had many fine scoring opportunities. However, Gudlevskis was able to deny all of the chances, retaining Syracuse's lead.
Bridgeport had an enormous chance to tie the game with about four minutes left in the second period, as they had a 5-on-3 advantage for a full two minutes. However, Syracuse's penalty kill once again reigned supreme, getting in the passing and shooting lanes and limiting the Sound Tigers' scoring chances, denying them any real good opportunities. The second period ended soon after the penalties expired, with the Crunch holding onto their one-goal-lead.
Both teams received a number of power play opportunities in the first half of the third period, but neither was able to score. The Sound Tigers had a great chance to tie the game when Kael Mouillierat got a shot off from in close, but Gudlevskis was up to the task, keeping the Crunch in front. Syracuse, in turn, had a chance of their own to score when former Sound Tiger Justin Courtnall had a breakaway, but a good backcheck by Griffin Reinhart prevented the winger from making a good move and getting much of a shot away.
The Crunch doubled their lead when Courtnall ripped a shot past Simpson at 16:25 of the third period. Dalton Smith streaked down the right wing and dropped a pass right onto Courtnall's stick, allowing him to whip the puck by Simpson before he had time to react. The goal was Courtnall's 5th of the season.
This would prove to be enough, as the Sound Tigers were unable to score, despite pulling Simpson for an extra skater.
Gudlevskis made 29 saves for his second shutout of the season. Simpson made 24 saves in the loss.
The Sound Tigers return to action Friday night, March 20, when they visit the Springfield Falcons at 7:00 p.m.
Game Notes: This was Justin Courtnall's first game back at Webster Bank Arena after being traded to the Crunch on March 9...The Sound Tigers were shut out for just the third time this year...Bridgeport went 0-for-7 on the power play.
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