AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Friesen scores first career AHL goal in loss to Hartford

March 27, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


HARTFORD, CONN. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers played at the XL Center on Saturday night for the final time this season, and dropped a 4-3 decision to the Hartford Wolf Pack. The game though, showed the fans of Connecticut why these two teams are heated rivals.

The Wolf Pack flew out of the gate, throwing their bodies around and controlled the majority of the first period. Sound Tigers' goaltender Scott Munroe made big stops to hold off the Wolf Pack attack, however it was Hartford lighting the lamp first.

Wolf Pack forward Justin Soryal got his own rebound with 13:49 left in the opening frame, depositing his fourth goal on the season past Munroe to take a 1-0 lead for Hartford. Soryal took a pass from line-mate Derek Couture, and broke into the Sound Tigers' zone along the left sideboard. He made a nice move around the Sound Tigers' defense and threw a shot on Munroe. Munroe kicked the puck out with his right pad, however Munroe could not corral Soryal's second attempt, and the puck trickled in to give the Wolf Pack the lead.

One of the hottest Sound Tigers as of late would get the Sound Tigers on the board. Tyler Haskins picked up his second goal in two nights to tie the game at 1-1. Haskins was taken down on a short-handed breakaway by Wolf Pack center Kris Newbury, and referee Chris Brown awarded the Sound Tiger forward a penalty shot. Haskins came down, went to his backhand and roofed it over Johnson for his 11th goal on the year at the 16:44 mark.

With 7:37 gone by in the second period, Wolf Pack forward Ryan Garlock received a tripping call after he took down Sound Tiger Jeremy Reich in the neutral zone. The Sound Tigers went on the man advantage and would get the go ahead goal from Trevor Smith as his wrist got past Johnson. Smith took a pass from Brett Motherwell at the top of the left circle and wristed the puck through a screened Johnson at the 8:30 spot.

The Sound Tigers would tally again, as newcomer Dustin Friesen scored his first goal as a Sound Tiger. Forward Mike Radja busted into the Wolf Pack zone along the right-wing boards, and dropped it for Friesen. The recent Sound Tiger call-up from the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, snapped a quick shot that changed direction on Johnson to give the Sound Tigers a 3-1 edge with 10:26 left in the second period.

The Wolf Pack would not go away, as they would get two of their own shortly after. Hartford dumped the puck deep into Sound Tigers' zone, and Newbury wristed the puck on net from the right circle. The puck did not get through initially, but Wolf Pack captain Dane Byers was there to put home the rebound and bring the score to 3-2 at the 13:43 mark.

Just 10 seconds later, Wolf Pack forward Andres Ambuhl used the screen of the Sound Tigers' defense to get his fifth goal of the year. His shot beat Munroe blocker side to tie the game 3-3.

Both teams would trade chances later on in the final period, however it was the Wolf Pack that pulled in front with the go ahead goal.

Wolf Pack defensemen Bobby Sanguinetti received a pass in the right lane from Corey Locke, and with his patience, had an open shooting lane on Munroe. Sanguinetti inched in and beat Munroe under the glove for the eventual game winner with 3:20 left in the regulation on his eighth of the season to win the game for the Wolf Pack 4-3.

Munroe made 32 saves in the loss, while Johnson stopped 25 Sound Tiger tries in the win.

The Sound Tigers fall to 35-29-4-6, still with 80 points, while the Wolf Pack improve to 31-30-6-5.

The Sound Tigers head to Lowell to take on the Devils Sunday at 4 p.m., and then return home on April 3rd as they host the Portland Pirates at 7 pm. For group discounted tickets or information on any Sound Tiger upcoming home game, contact the team's front office at (203) 334-4625 or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.

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