AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Four-Goal First Period Leads Sound Tigers to 6-2 Win Over Falcons

Published on March 30, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Tony Romano scored just 14 seconds into the opening period and the Sound Tigers never looked back as Bridgeport netted four first period goals en route to a 6-2 win over the Springfield Falcons at Webster Bank Arena on Friday night. With the win, the Sound Tigers move into sole possession of first place in the Northeast Division as their record improves to 35-24-3-6 overall. The Falcons fall to 31-32-3-3.

Romano and his linemates set the tone for the Sound Tigers right from the opening faceoff. Justin DiBenedetto raced to gather the loose puck on the forecheck deep in the left corner of the Springfield zone, centering the puck towards the Falcons crease. Romano cut into the slot from the right circle, then flipped his hands and shifted his stick to shoot the puck left-handed, and deflected it past Springfield goaltender Paul Dainton to give the Sound Tigers a 1-0 lead.

The Sound Tigers increased their lead to two at the 5:59 mark of the opening frame. After sustained pressure in the Springfield zone, Rhett Rakhshani sent a behind-the-back pass to Micheal Haley in the slot, who beat Dainton for his 15th goal of the season to make the score 2-0. Blair Riley pushed the Sound Tigers lead to three just 59 seconds later, sending a shot off Springfield defenseman David Savard's stick that fluttered past Dainton.

Dainton was pulled in favor of Mike Clemente after allowing three goals on 10 shots in 6:58. The Falcons got on the scoreboard at 17:49 when Matt Calvert beat Kevin Poulin from the slot, but the Sound Tigers answered on the very next shift just 32 seconds later. Fresh off his second NHL stint with the New York Islanders, David Ullstrom took a pass from Kael Mouillierat and snapped it over Clemente's glove for his 20th goal of the season.

Rakhshani pushed the Sound Tigers lead to four with a power play goal midway through the second period. The second-year forward held the puck in the left circle of the Springfield zone, then fired from a sharp angle between the near post and Clemente for his 16th goal of the season.

Ullstrom netted his second goal of the game and team-leading 21st goal of the season 1:27 into the third period, firing from nearly the same spot he scored from in the first period. Springfield's Ryan Garlock rounded out the scoring, beating Poulin at 9:55 of the final frame.

Poulin made 35 saves to earn his 20th win of the season. DiBenedetto recorded three assists in the game, while Rakhshani and Ullstrom posted multi-point nights.

The Sound Tigers continue their eight=2Dgame homestand tomorrow evening when they host the Portland Pirates at 7:00 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2012


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