MacDonald stops 39 shots and helps Sound Tigers remain perfect in the shootout
February 2, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
Joey MacDonald returned between the pipes for the Sound Tigers and looked determined from the drop of the puck that he was going to earn the victory for his team. The Sound Tigers' starting goalie turned aside 39 of the 40 shots he faced and stopped four of the five shots he faced in the shootout to keep the Sound Tigers undefeated in the shootout, 7-0.
Trevor Smith, who has been a mainstay on the second line with Ben Walter and Steve Regier, claimed the 1-0 lead for the Sound Tigers 4:32 into the first period. Regier started the play by zipping a pass to Walter in the right circle. Walter wasted no time and sent the puck to Smith, who was breaking towards the back post. Smith one-timed the pass on his for-hand past the blocker of Wolf Pack starting goalie, Miika Wiikman for his fourth goal of the season. The goal was Smith's fourth point in the past six games and extended Walter's point scoring streak to nine games, which is one behind Jeff Tambellini's point-a-game streak of ten games earlier this season.
About two minutes into the second period, Hartford got on the board with a power-play goal by Andrew Hutchinson. Alex Bourret and Pierre Parenteau assisted on Hutchinson's ninth goal of the season making the score 1-1 entering the final period of regulation.
The Wolf Pack turned up the heat in the third period, firing 15 shots on MacDonald but could not put one past him. Wiikman had six saves in the period to send the game into overtime and then an eventual shootout after neither team could score the game-winner in the extra session.
Parenteau shot first for Hartford and grabbed the 1-0 lead for the Wolf Pack. Trevor Smith shot next for the Sound Tigers and snapped a shot past the blocker of Wiikman to tie the score at one. MacDonald would stop Alex Bourret on Hartford's next attempt, which made it Kyle Okposo's turn to shoot. The rookie prospect learned from Smith and also snapped a shot past Wiikman's blocker to take the 2-1 lead for the Sound Tigers. MacDonald would shut the door from there on out stopping Hartford's next three attempts to win the game for the Sound Tigers, 2-1. MacDonald's efforts increased the Sound Tigers' record in the shootout to 7-0.
MacDonald finished the game with 39 saves on 40 shots while Wiikman faced only 24 shots, turning aside 23. The Sound Tigers were 0-for-4 on the man-advantage while going 1-for-2 on the penalty-kill.
Next up for the Sound Tigers are the Lowell Devils on Friday night at 7:30 p.m., which is Nascar Night. Fans do not miss your chance to see SpongeBob SquarePants on Saturday when the Sound Tigers take on the Portland Pirates at 7 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2008
- Aeros end skid with a 3-1 victory over the Quad City Flames - Houston Aeros
- Admirals Bust Down Rivermen 7-3 - Milwaukee Admirals
- Rampage Beat Syracuse, 4-3, in Shootout - San Antonio Rampage
- Griffins Rally Past Stars, 3-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Locke becomes 'Dogs all-time leading goal scorer in shutout win - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Stars drop early lead, fall to Grand Rapids at home - Iowa Chops
- Locke becomes 'Dogs all-time leading goal scorer in shutout win - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Bulldogs shut out Moose 2-0 - Manitoba Moose
- Home team wins sixth straight in season series - Rockford IceHogs
- Falcons Win In Overtime At Lowell - Springfield Falcons
- Mink, Patzold Rule over Monarchs - Worcester Sharks
- Devils Shocked by Falcons in OT, 3-2 - Albany Devils
- Monarchs Find Mink In Worcester - Manchester Monarchs
- Wide-Ranging Contributions Give Philadelphia 5-1 Win - Adirondack Phantoms
- MacDonald stops 39 shots and helps Sound Tigers remain perfect in the shootout - Bridgeport Islanders
- River Rats Rally Falls Short In Hershey - Albany River Rats
- P-Bruins Defeat Pirates 4-3 - Providence Bruins
- Admirals Sail Away With A Rare Win In Wilkes-Barre - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Admirals Buck the Odds in Win over Penguins - Norfolk Admirals
- AHL announces suspension - AHL
- Boyle, Harrold Recalled To Kings - Manchester Monarchs
- Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Honours Canadian Forces - Toronto Marlies
- Plekhanov Loaned to Elmira - Syracuse Crunch
- Amerks Visit Toronto, Announce Player Moves - Rochester Americans
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