Four Goal Third Period Lifts Sound Tigers Over Falcons, 7-3
Published on December 5, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, CT - Justin DiBenedetto scored two goals and Jesse Joensuu had a goal and two assists as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers scored four unanswered goals in the third period en route to a 7-3 win over the Springfield Falcons Saturday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The seven goals are the most the Sound Tigers have scored this season.
The game featured the return of New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro, who had been out of action since January due to injury. He played the first two periods in goal for Bridgeport and allowed three goals while making 10 saves.
"It was good to get back in there and shake the rust off," DiPietro said after the game. "It's been a long time."
The Sound Tigers dominated the opening period, out-shooting the Falcons, 15-3. Matt Martin opened the scoring 3:40 into the game when he slapped home a rebound that he picked up off a shot by Sean Bentivoglio. Greg Mauldin made it 2-0 at the 9:27 mark, stuffing a wrap-around attempt off the back of Falcons goaltender Aaron Sorochan for his ninth goal of the year.
An outstanding individual play by Joensuu made it 3-0 with 3:51 left in the first. The forward took a pass from Mark Wotton and carried the puck into the offensive zone along the boards. As he reached the face-off circle, Joensuu made a hard cut towards the net and slid the puck around Sorochan's right side and into the net. The assist was one of three on the night for Wotton.
After the Sound Tigers built a three goal lead in the first, the Falcons put three pucks past DiPietro in the second period. Johan Motin put Springfield on the board 1:52 into the frame, blasting a shot from the right point through DiPietro's legs for his first goal of the year. Geoff Paukovich made it 3-2 at the 7:50 mark as he lifted a rebound into the top of the net on a backhand shot. Bill Thomas tied the game with 6:16 left in the second, slamming a big rebound through DiPietro's five hole following a shot from Liam Reddox.
The momentum swung back to Bridgeport in the third period, as the Sound Tigers scored four goals in the final frame. Greg Moore scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at the 5:26 mark. Moore took a long pass from Mark Katic at the offensive blue-line and sent a shot high into the top of the goal for his seventh tally of the season. Just 25 seconds later, DiBenedetto deflected a shot by Mauldin into the net to make it 5-3.
Mark Flood scored his second goal of the year at the 11:05 mark, ripping a shot from the left side under Sorochan's arm. DiBenedetto capped the scoring with 3:24 left in the game as he took a pass from Joensuu and slapped a shot from the top of the circle.
DiPietro left the game after two periods and was replaced by Scott Munroe who stopped 12 shots in the final period to earn the victory for Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers finished the game with a 37-25 advantage in shots on goal.
"The one thing about this group that we've talked about all year is that they work extremely hard," Sound Tigers Head Coach Jack Capuano said. "You want the kids to have success and tonight they did. It was a good win for them".
The Sound Tigers are back in action Friday night when they visit the Springfield Falcons. Face-off at the MassMutual Center is set for 7:00 pm. After a game at Hartford on Saturday, Bridgeport returns home on Tuesday, December 15 as they host the Portland Pirates at 7:00 pm. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or log on to www.soundtigers.com.
American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2009
- Teddy Bears Fly Early, Hogs Pick Up Fifth Straight - Rockford IceHogs
- Scorching Heat Is Too Much For Amerks In 6-2 Loss - Rochester Americans
- Heat Bomb Americans 6-2 - Abbotsford Heat
- Four Goal Third Period Lifts Sound Tigers Over Falcons, 7-3 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wolves Fall To Stars, 5-3 - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals Double Moose, 4-2 - Manitoba Moose
- Stars Shoot Past Wolves 5-3 - Texas Stars
- Falcons Lose To Sound Tigers 7-3 - Springfield Falcons
- Westgarth Fillets Sharks - Manchester Monarchs
- Crunch Solve Senators - Syracuse Crunch
- Two-Goal First Period Stands Up For Griffins - Peoria Rivermen
- B-Sens Fall Short In Syracuse; Lose 3-2 - Binghamton Senators
- River Rats Topple Phantoms 4-1 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Penguins Outscore Wolf Pack 4-1 - Connecticut Whale
- Sharks Tie Score Late But Fall In 8th Round Of Shootout In Manchester - Worcester Sharks
- Griffins Roll Over Rivermen, 4-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rats Oust Phantoms 4-1 - Albany River Rats
- Admirals Can't Bear Hershey Comeback - Norfolk Admirals
- P-Bruins Defeat Pirates 4-3 - Providence Bruins
- Bruins Nip Pirates To End Streak - Portland Pirates
- Bulldogs Drop 6-5 Overtime Decision To Marlies - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Columbus Assigns Left Wing Alexandre Picard - Syracuse Crunch
- Heat Vs Americans Preview - Carpentier Reassigned - Abbotsford Heat
- Capitals Claim Chris Bourque Off Waivers From Pittsburgh - Hershey Bears
- Richards Loaned To Toledo, Hogs Face Lake Erie Tonight - Rockford IceHogs
- Canadiens Assign Ryan White To Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Falcons Sign Chris Armstrong To AHL Contract - Springfield Falcons
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