Falcons Edge Sound Tigers 4-3 in Shootout
February 16, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 16, 2011) ¬" Former Sound Tiger Trevor Smith had a goal in regulation and was the only player to score in the shootout as the Springfield Falcons defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-3 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Wednesday night. With the win, Springfield moves to .500 at 25-25-1-3. The Sound Tigers record currently stands at 19-28-3-4.
The first period saw relatively few chances for both sides, and Sound Tigers netminder Mikko Koskinen and his Falcons counterpart Gustaf Wesslau were each able to stop all shots sent their way. The Falcons thought they had jumped on top with 5:48 as the puck snuck past Koskinen through a scrum in front. However, the referees ruled that the puck had been settled in front by a Springfield player's hand and the goal was nullified, keeping the score 0-0 headed to the first intermission.
The Falcons broke the scoreless tie just 33 seconds into the second period when Kyle Wilson found a rebound in front of Koskinen and scored his 11th goal of the year to give Springfield a 1-0 lead. The Sound Tigers drew even as Eric Castonguay continued his impressive start with the team. Passes from Justin DiBenedetto and David Ullstrom found Castonguay in the slot, and the newest member of the team fired past Wesslau for his third goal in four games as a Sound Tiger to tie the game 1-1 at 10:00 of the second period. However, Springfield retook the lead just 46 seconds later. Jonathan Sigalet's dump-in caromed off the glass and straight into the slot as Koskinen came out of his net to play it. The puck went right to =46alcons forward Trevor Smith who put the puck into the open net as Springfield went ahead 2-1.
The score remained that way until the Sound Tigers struck with two early third period goals to take the lead. Ullstrom scored a power play goal just 1:47 into the period to end a 21-game scoring drought and tie the score. DiBenedetto put the Sound Tigers in front with his team-leading 13th goal of the year on a delayed penalty call less than three minutes later to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Sound Tigers. The Falcons answered quickly as Brent Regner fired from above the right faceoff circle just 35 seconds later to even the score at three. Both sides had chances down the stretch and in overtime, but both Koskinen and Wesslau backstopped their teams to the shootout.
The goalies continued to keep their teams in the game as the shootout was scoreless until the fifth round, when Smith's backhander beat Koskinen to put the Falcons ahead. Ullstrom was the Sound Tigers final hope, but his backhand attempt sailed high and the =46alcons escaped with a 4-3 win.
Koskinen made 32 saves in the loss. Wesslau stopped 20 shots to earn the win for Springfield.
The Sound Tigers return to action on Saturday night when they make their only visit of the season to Hershey, Pa. to face the Bears at Giant Center at 7 p.m.
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