AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Lawson, Smith Lift Sound Tigers Over River Rats In Ot

Published on January 22, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


ALBANY, NY -- Trevor Smith scored the game-winning goal and Nathan Lawson made 49 saves as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the Albany River Rats, 2-1 in overtime, Friday night at the Times Union Center. The win snapped the Sound Tigers four game winless streak as they improved to 22-19-2-3 on the season.

With 1:30 left in overtime, Greg Mauldin sent a shot on net that Justin Peters stopped with his body. The rebound bounced to a charging Smith who lifted a backhand shot into the top of the goal to win the game for the Sound Tigers. The goal was Smith's 14th of the season.

The River Rats outshot the Sound Tigers 50-33 in the game. Lawson's night began with two saves on a River Rats shorthanded breakaway midway through the first period. Jerome Samson skated in on a 2-on-1 break and snapped a shot on goal which Lawson snagged out of the air with his glove. Moments later, on the same penalty kill, Lawson reached back to make a glove stop on Nicolas Blanchard as he tried to stuff the puck inside the goalpost. Late in the second period, Lawson made another nice glove save on a wrist shot by Zach Boychuk. Midway through the third period, Lawson stretched out his pads to stop another Samson scoring opportunity. Lawson's 49 saves equaled the season high for saves by a Bridgeport goaltender.

The Sound Tigers best scoring chance in the first period came when Peters gobbled up a one-timer off the stick of Mark Flood during a Sound Tigers power-play early in the game. Midway through the second period, Mark Wotton tried to put a backhand shot past Peters but the Albany goaltender made a glove save on the Sound Tigers captain.

Greg Moore put the Sound Tigers on the board first, scoring his 10th goal of the year at the 6:34 mark of the third period. Jon Gleed fired an initial shot from the blue-line which Peters turned aside. After Sean Bentivioglio failed to poke the rebound through Peters' legs, Moore succeeded with a second chance, putting Bridgeport on the board.

The River Rats converted a 5-on-3 power-play chance to tie the game with nine minutes left in regulation. Chris Terry sent a cross-ice pass to Samson in the face-off circle who one-timed a shot past Lawson for his team leading 16th goal of the year.

Lawson's stellar play held the River Rats to just one power-play goal in seven chances. Bridgeport failed in five chances with the man advantage, including a four minute power-play across the second and third periods.

The Sound Tigers return to action Saturday night when they make their only visit of the year to Binghamton. Face-off at the Broome County Arena is set for 7:00 pm. Bridgeport returns home on Tuesday, January 26 to take on Albany at 7:00 pm at Harbor Yard. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000.

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central