Lawson bounces back after first regulation loss to stop 29 shots and lead team to a 3-1 victory
January 17, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
Binghamton, NY - Nathan Lawson suffered his first regulation loss last night against the Hershey Bears with a big effort tonight, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced against the Binghamton Senators, leading the Sound Tigers to a 3-1 win. Andrew MacDonald and Jesse Joensuu opened the scoring in the first period and Trevor Smith added to his team lead in goals with his 20th of the year in the third. Matt Carkner scored the only Senator goal of the game, coming on the power-play. The Sound Tigers improve their record with the win to 25-12-2-2, giving them 54 points and extending their lead for second place in the East Division to three points over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who lost tonight to the Albany River Rats.
MacDonald broke the scoreless tie 2:31 into the first period with his sixth goal of the season. Vladimir Nikiforov fed a pass to the All-Star defenseman at the right point where he walked the blue-line and blasted a slap-shot that went past Binghamton starting goalie, Martin Gerber's glove for the 1-0 Sound Tiger lead. The Senators would tie the score at 1-1 while on the power-play, improving their team's top rating while on the man-advantage in the AHL. Ryan Shannon faked a shot from the center point and quickly snapped a pass to Carkner in the left circle. The 6'4 defenseman one-timed a shot that went past Lawson's glove and in for his third goal of the season. Ilya Zubov also had an assist on the goal coming 9:17 into the opening frame. Joensuu would regain the lead for the Sound Tigers with just under six minutes to play in the frame. Ben Walter chipped the puck to center ice where Trevor Smith corralled the puck and came into the Senators' zone. Smith made a quick move and pulled the puck through his legs then shoveled a shot on Gerber. The Swiss net-minder made the initial save but with Joensuu driving the net, was unable to cover the loose puck, allowing Joensuu to bang home his 13th tally of the season.
With the teams playing four men aside early in the second period, Lawson robbed Greg Mauldin on what looked as if a sure goal. Lawson made the first stop on a shot from the left-wing boards but the rebound popped out into the slot to Mauldin. The Binghamton winger snapped a shot towards the yawning net but Lawson stuck his glove out in a last ditch effort and grabbed the puck out of mid-air, keeping the Sound Tigers' 2-1 lead entering the third period.
In the third, Smith would give the Sound Tigers their first two-goal lead in the game. Gerber was able to turn aside the initial shot off the stick of Junior Lessard along the far boards but the rebound came into the high slot to Smith. The team's leading goal scorer quickly backhanded the puck over Gerber's shoulder and under the cross-bar to give the Sound Tigers the 3-1 lead. Lawson would keep the Senators off the board in the final period of regulation, stopping all 10 shots he faced.
Gerber suffered the loss, making 26 saves. The Sound Tigers were 0-for-7 on the power-play and 4-for-5 on the penalty-kill.
Tomorrow, the Sound Tigers will return home for their Armed Forces Day when they take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at a special 1 p.m. face-off. A pre-game ceremony is scheduled to honor all Armed Forces members. For tickets or information on how your can receive a group discount, contact the team's front office at (203) 334-GOAL or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.
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