AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Desjardins Wins It In OT For Worcester

Published on January 8, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn - Andrew Desjardins' goal 1:35 into overtime spoiled a brilliant performance from Sound Tigers netminder Mikko Koskinen, as the Worcester Sharks earned a 2-1 overtime win against Bridgeport at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard on Saturday night. With the victory, the Sharks improve to 18-13-2-4 overall. The Sound Tigers record now stands at 18-17-2-2.

The Sharks scored the game's first goal with just under six minutes remaining in the first period. Cory Quirk battled for the puck behind the Sound Tigers net and made a nice feed in front to Chris Lawrence. Lawrence pushed the puck past Koskinen for his first goal of the year to give Worcester a 1-0 lead. However, Tommy Wingels was given a double-minor for a high stick to the face of defenseman Brett Motherwell and the Sound Tigers took advantage of the four-minute power play. Motherwell fired from just above the left faceoff circle and Micheal Haley's deflection fluttered past goaltender Carter Hutton. Haley's 10th goal of the season came with 1:03 left in the first, and the two teams went to their respective dressing rooms tied at one.

Both teams had chances in the second period to break the tie, the best coming for the Sharks with just over one minute remaining in the period. Andrew Desjardins came in on a partial breakaway and fired a shot from the right circle the got past Koskinen. But the puck rang off of the corner of the cage between the post and crossbar, deflecting down into the crease and away from the net.

Koskinen would get stronger as the game went on and it was his play between the pipes that kept the score tied. Worcester had multiple chances in the middle of the third period following a bench minor for too many men on the ice and an Olivier Labelle hooking penalty. However, Koskinen made multiple saves in traffic in a third period in which the Sound Tigers were outshot 15-2. Worcester nearly came away with the regulation win in the final minute, but David Marshall's shot from the slot rang off the iron and the game went to overtime where Desjardins provided the heroics. The Worcester forward gathered the puck in the left corner, skated out in front of Koskinen and banged the puck through his pads for his fifth goal of the year.

Koskinen made a season-high 38 saves in the loss. Carter Hutton made just 18 saves to earn his third win of the year.

The Sound Tigers will look to snap their four-game winless streak tomorrow night when they host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:30 p.m.

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central