Motte Wins First Professional Start
March 28, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - C.J. Motte made 29 saves in his professional debut as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the Binghamton Senators 4-1 on Saturday night at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena
Motte stole the show early on, making save after save in the opening minutes. Before long, the shots were 10-2 in favor of the Senators but Motte stopped every one. His best stop came on a clear 2-on-1 where he stretched out the left pad and kicked the puck away.
Finally, the Sound Tigers took advantage after a costly turnover by the Senators. After a Binghamton defenseman played the puck through the center of the ice, Mike Halmo intercepted it and roofed a shot past Peter Mannino for the first goal of the game. The goal was Halmo's first since December 5 in Hershey.
The Sound Tigers increased their lead to two five minutes into the second period. Binghamton was short-handed after being called for too many men on the ice and Ryan Pulock made them pay. Pulock's blast from the point with just two seconds remaining on the bench minor made it a 2-0 game.
Binghamton scored their lone goal of the game seven minutes into the third period. Motte made the initial stop on Aaron Johnson, but Max McCormick slammed in the rebound to make it a one-goal game. Motte shut the door the rest of the game, remaining calm and cool in the Bridgeport net.
Halmo added his second goal of the contest just 91 seconds after the McCormick tally. Halmo worked his way out of the corner and flicked a shot on net that trickled through Mannino and made it 3-1.
Griffin Reinhart closed out the scoring with six minutes left in the game. Reinhart walked his way in and backhanded a beauty over the glove of Mannino to make it 4-1. Reinhart's sixth of the season was unassisted.
Motte's performance earned him first star honors, as the final score did not reflect how well the 22-year-old played.
Pulock's power play goal was the only special teams tally of the game, as the Sound Tigers went 1-for-5 and the Senators went 0-for-4.
The Sound Tigers return home to host the Hershey Bears on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.
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Notes: The Sound Tigers swept the season series with the Senators, outscoring them 11-2...Ryan Pulock's goal was his 11 th power play goal of the season and first since December 30 in Worcester...Binghamton outshot Bridgeport 30-26 and 14-5 in the first period.
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