AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Hamilton's Hat Trick Powers Sound Tigers Past Lowell

December 16, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT - The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, defeated the Lowell Lock Monsters 5-2 at home Friday to snap a five-game losing streak. Jeff Hamilton's four points, including a hat trick, led the charge for the Sound Tigers.

Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz was able to keep the Sound Tigers in the game by stopping a flurry of shots that he faced on a five-on-three Lowell advantage. Dubielewicz stopped all 10 shots he faced in the first 20 minutes. "Dubielewicz was great tonight," Hamilton said. "He kept us in the game with a lot of great saves."

The teams played nearly a full period of back-and-forth but scoreless hockey before the Sound Tigers were able to jump on the scoreboard when a Hamilton shot was deflected by Jeremy Colliton for his seventh goal of the season at 18:57. Dave Karpa also assisted on the play.

The Sound Tigers capitalized on a double minor by Lowell defenseman Danny Richmond, who was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and roughing at 4:02 of the middle frame. David Masse ripped a one-timer from Travis Brigley past Lowell goaltender Tom Lawson for his fourth goal of the season at the 5:13 mark with Bruno Gervais also assisting on the play.

Lowell's Jeff Finger was called for boarding at 5:31, giving the Sound Tigers a two-man advantage, and Hamilton scored on the second of Richmond's penalties at 6:23 for his eighth of the season, tying him for the team lead and making it 3-0. Brigley and Gervais also assisted on Hamilton's goal.

Hamilton then banged home his ninth goal of the season at 10:11 off assists from Colliton and Rob Collins to make it 4-0 through two periods.

Lowell started the third period by scoring on both ends of a two-man advantage. Vince Bellissimo scored his fifth off assists from Johnny Boychuk and Keith Aucoin to make it 4-1 at 2:16. Daniel DaSilva scored his second just 1:17 later off assists from Brad Richardson and Colin Forbes.

Hamilton capped off his night with the game-clinching hat trick with 5:45 to play from Gervais and Collins. Hamilton tied Sound Tigers team marks for goals in a game, three, and points in a game, four, in addition to upping his assist streak to three games and his point streak to eight.

"It was an awesome effort, a great job by Hamilton," said Sound Tigers coach Dave Bassegio. "He has one of the best shots in the AHL."

The Sound Tigers had a 35-27 shots on goal advantage. They were 3 for 8 on the power play and 6 for 8 on the penalty kill. The first star was Hamilton, the second was Gervais, and the third was Colliton. Dubielewicz made 25 saves for his fourth win of the season while Lawson made 30 in a losing effort.

The Sound Tigers will continue their third straight three-game-in-three-day weekend when they visit the Hartford Wolf Pack Saturday at 7 p.m. They will return home to host the Norfolk Admirals this Sunday at 4:05 p.m. on "Shelton Town Night" and the annual "Teddy Bear Toss".

Information about Sound Tigers ticket packages and promotions is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or emailing info@soundtigers.com. All Sound Tigers games are web-cast live at www.soundtigers.com. Fans can also watch all games live on the B2 Networks.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2005


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