Rats Nip Sound Tigers in Shootout
Published on April 7, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Albany River Rats, going down to the end-of-the-season wire to decide the East Division's fourth and final playoff spot, appropriately needed a shootout to determine a key game between the divisional foes on Saturday night.
The River Rats edged the Sound Tigers in the shootout for 3-2 victory before 4,428 fans at Albany's Times Union Center. The River Rats moved into sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot in the division, although the Sound Tigers earned a point to stay on the Rats' heels by forcing overtime.
Albany improved to 36-34-3-3. The Sound Tigers dropped to 35-34-1-6 and are one point behind Albany with four games remaining in the regular season for both teams.
The River Rats outscored Bridgeport 3-1 in the shootout as Keith Aucoin, Jakub Petruzalek and Brett Carson beat Sound Tigers' goaltender Billy Thompson. Bridgeport's Gregg Johnson scored in the fourth round before Carson clinched the win for Albany in the fifth round.
The Sound Tigers went to a shootout for the second straight night - they beat Providence on Friday. The Sound Tigers dodged an OT bullet against Albany when Aucoin rang a shot off the post early in the extra session. Thompson also came up with so big saves as did his counterpart, Tyler Weiman.
Trailing 2-1 late in the second period, the Sound Tigers scored what turned out to be a point-salvaging goal. Trevor Smith redirected Blake Comeau's shot for his first American Hockey League goal - in his fourth AHL and Sound Tiger game - at 19:43 of the middle stanza. Neither team found the back of the net in the third period or overtime despite some good chances.
The Sound Tigers scored first when Masi Marjamaki netted his fifth goal of the season. Marjamaki was set up by Gregg Johnson's drop pass 6:19 into the game; Mark Wotton also earned an assist on the game-opening tally. The River Rats tied the game and took the lead in a span of less than a minute early in the second period. Shane Willis scored his 18th at 3:42 make it a 1-1 game and Cody McLeod cashed in on a rebound at 4:33 for 2-1 Albany edge.
Albany outshot Bridgeport 36-31. The Sound Tigers were 0-for-6 on the power play and the Rats were 0-for-4.
The Sound Tigers visit Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday, go to Hartford on Friday, and return home next Saturday, April 14th when they host Philadelphia at 7 p.m. Great seats for Sound Tiger games are available at the Arena Box Office and group discount opportunities are available by calling the Sound Tigers at 334-4625. If you can't make it to the game, you can still follow all of the action. Please click on "listen to the game" to hear all of the action as Phil Giubileo calls the play-by-play, or click the b2 link at the right of the main Sound Tigers Web page and subscribe to watch this year's remaining games. Visit soundtigers.com for information.
American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2007
- Iowa Stars 4-7 Game Recap and Year End Awards - Iowa Chops
- Idle Admirals Clinch Playoff Spot - Milwaukee Admirals
- Windy City Woes: Griffins Fall 5 to 3 at Chicago - Grand Rapids Griffins
- P-Bruins Fall to Devils in Overtime 4-3 - Providence Bruins
- Quesada, Murphy give Houston dramatic win - Houston Aeros
- Knights Blanked By Aeros, 1-0 - Abbotsford Heat
- Devils Burn Bruins in Overtime, 4-3 - Albany Devils
- Bulldogs Clinch Playoff Berth with Win over Marlies - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rivermen Blanked at Home 2-0 by Manitoba - Peoria Rivermen
- Bulldogs clinch playoff berth with win over Marlies - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Wolf Pack Sign Kveton and Owens to ATOs - Connecticut Whale
- Bears win 48th game, blasting Norfolk 6-1 - Hershey Bears
- Rats Nip Sound Tigers in Shootout - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bears Down Admirals 6-1 - Norfolk Admirals
- Penguins outdistance Phantoms - Adirondack Phantoms
- Monarchs Reach Century Mark - Manchester Monarchs
- Maine Forward Soares Signed to ATO - Peoria Rivermen
- Columbus Recalls Glencross - Syracuse Crunch
- Aeros Gameday - Houston Aeros
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