AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Lessard's late goal gives Sound Tigers 2-1 win over Lowell

Published on March 10, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


Lowell, Mass. - Junior Lessard's goal with under three minutes to play in the third period would break a 1-1 tie and give the Sound Tigers a 2-1 victory over the Lowell Devils. Jon Sim extended his goal-scoring streak to four games with his fifth tally of the season coming in the second period. Rosario Ruggeri had the lone goal for the Devils. Peter Mannino was named the game's first star, making 29 saves for his 13th win of the season. With the win, the Sound Tigers jump past the Hershey Bears and now sit atop the East Division with a 40-18-3-5 record, giving them 88 points.

Ruggeri would open the scoring for the Devils in the first period when his shot from the right point found its way through Mannino for the 1-0 lead. Barry Tallackson snapped a shot on goal that was blocked by a Sound Tiger defenseman but the puck came out to Bergfors in the high slot. Bergfors set up Ruggeri for a one-time shot past the Sound Tiger net-minder, his first of the season.

In the middle frame, Sim would find himself in the perfect position to tie the score when he slammed the puck into an open net after it took a friendly bounce off the glass. Andrew MacDonald was set-up at the far point where he fired shot towards Frazee that soared over the net and off the glass. The puck caromed right out in front to Sim at the back-door where he buried his fifth goal in four games with the Sound Tigers. Jeremy Colliton also had an assist on the game-tying goal, coming at the 16:20 mark of the second.

Lessard would win the game in the third period on his eighth goal of the season with just under three minutes to play in the frame. Mark Wotton threw a shot from the point on Lowell net-minder, Jeff Frazee that he stopped but the rebound fell in front. Lessard was parked in the slot where the rebound feel and he was there to snap the game-winner past Frazee to finish the game's scoring at 2-1 in favor of the Sound Tigers.

Mannino finished the game 29 saves to earn his 13th win of the season, while Frazee turned aside 25 of the 27 shots he faced. The Sound Tigers were 0-for-6 on the power-play but a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty-kill.

The Sound Tigers will play their next three games on the road, beginning Friday night at the MassMutual Center against the Springfield Falcons at 7:30 p.m. The following night, the Sound Tigers will play their final contest this season against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Game-time for the intra-state rivals' match-up is set for 7 p.m. at the XL Center. Sunday, the Sound Tigers will go to battle against the Bears at 5 p.m. at the Giant Center. With both teams so close in the East Division standings, the game could decide who is in first place at the start of next week. The Sound Tigers will return to home ice Friday, Mar. 20 at 7 p.m. when they face-off against the Worcester Sharks. For tickets or information about how to receive group discounted prices, contact the Sound Tigers' front office at (203) 334-GOAL or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2009


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