Hamilton Breaks Franchise Record In Win In Albany
February 27, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
ALBANY, NY - The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, scored three third-period goal to beat the Albany River Rats 3-1 on the road Friday with Jeff Hamilton scoring twice to break the franchise-single-season record notching his 30th and 31st goals of the season. The win also snapped the Sound Tigers' three-game losing streak and two-game road skid.
Albany took the first lead of the game with 59 seconds left in the opening period as Ryan Murphy scored his seventh goal of the season off assists from Chris Hartsburg and Jiri Bicek, and the lead held up through the first and second intermissions.
Justin Mapletoft tied the game at 1-1 with his seventh goal of the season, on the power play, just 1:12 into the third period off assists from Alain Nasreddine and Ben Guite. Just 2:30 later, Hamilton gave the Sound Tigers their first lead of the night with his 30th goal of the year, unassisted, tying Trent Hunter's team record, set in both 2001-02 and 2002-03.
Hamilton added an insurance goal, and broke Hunter's record, with his second goal of the night and 31st of the season off an assist from Rob Collins with 5:28 left to play.
In addition to breaking the Sound Tigers' single-season, goal-scoring record; Hamilton moved into the AHL's scoring lead with 31 goals and 11 game winners.
Hamilton was the first star of the game, Sound Tigers Goaltender Dieter Kochan was the second with 25 saves, and Murphy was the third. Ari Ahonen made 25 saves in a losing effort for the River Rats as the Sound Tigers had a 28-26 shots on goal advantage. The Sound Tigers were also 1 for 4 on the power play and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.
The Sound Tigers will return home to Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard to host the Providence Bruins tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Tomorrow's game will be web cast live at www.soundtigers.com beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Bridgeport Hospital, BJ ¬â¢s Wholesale Club and the Sound Tigers will hold "Connecticut's Largest Baby Shower" during tomorrow's game. Fans who donate a package of diapers will receive a free ticket to an upcoming home game; donations will benefit the Bridgeport Hospital Primary Care Center and the Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County. Expectant mothers are also invited to sign up for a chance to win a free one-year supply of diapers, which will be given to the first mother to have her baby after registering.
Tomorrow will also be "Monroe Family Night" with specially-priced tickets available as part of several fundraisers to benefit the Marcella Siciliano Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded to a graduating senior from Monroe in honor of the 18-year-old who passed away in a car accident last October.
Sound Tigers individual-game tickets are on sale at the Harbor Yard box office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on all game days, as well as on-line at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 203-368-1000.
Information regarding Sound Tigers season tickets, partial plans, flex packs, group discounts, birthday parties, suite packages and sponsorship opportunities is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com.
Groups, organizations, companies, etc. that are interested in having a member of the Sound Tigers appear at an event are also invited to call 203-334-GOAL or email info@soundtigers.com.
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American Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2004
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