Ryan's third goal in overtime gives Albany a 3-2 overtime win
January 3, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
Albany, NY - Sean Bentivoglio's fifth goal of the season coming with only 25 seconds left in the game tied the score at two for the Sound Tigers but it wasn't enough as the Albany River Rats prevailed in overtime to beat the Sound Tigers 3-2. Michael Ryan recorded all three tallies for the River Rats. Nathan Lawson suffered the first blemish on his impressive record, which now stands at 7-0-1-0. Andrew MacDonald scored the first Sound Tiger goal of the game, coming in the third period. With the overtime loss, the Sound Tigers earn a point and see their record stand at 22-9-2-2 giving them 48 points and still have claim to second place in the East Division.
For the second straight game, the Sound Tigers would surrender the opening tally, falling behind 1-0, five minutes into the first period. Micheal Ryan took a pass from Yannick Tifu in the slot and wristed a shot past Lawson's glove and off the far post, for his team leading 11th goal of the season.
In the middle frame, Lawson stopped all nine shots he faced but it was his offensive contribution that only got the Sound Tigers on the board. With Bentivoglio coming out of the penalty box, Lawson hit him with a lead pass from behind the net, springing the speedy winger in on Manzato. Bentivoglio tried to snap a quick shot through the Albany net-minder's legs but Manzato was able to trap the puck under him to keep the score at 1-0 going into the third.
Halfway through the third period, the Sound Tigers would finally break Manzato's shutout bid while on the power-play. MacDonald collected a loose puck at the left post and snapped a shot past Manzato's blocker, to tie the score at one. Bentivoglio and Chris Lee had the assists on MacDonald's fifth goal of the season. Albany would regain their one-goal lead with about a minute remaining in regulation time when Ryan sent a turn-around shot towards the net that went off of Lawson's back, giving the River Rats the 2-1 lead. With Lawson pulled for the extra attacker, the Sound Tigers threw everything on Manzato. Ben Walter threw a shot on net that the Albany goalie stopped but he could not control the rebound. Bentivoglio found the loose puck and jammed it past a sprawling Manzato to tie the score with just 25 second remaining in the final period, sending the game to overtime. Mike Iggulden had an assist on Bentivoglio's fifth marker of the season.
Ryan would complete the hat-trick, 3:38 into the extra session, sealing the 3-2 victory for Albany. Bryan Rodney took a feed from Nick Dodge at the point and fired the puck to the back-door where Ryan was there for the tap-in, his 13th goal of the season.
Lawson finished the game with 30 saves on 33 shots while Manzato was the first goalie to beat Lawson this season, stopping 34. The Sound Tigers were 1-for-6 on the power-play while the River Rats went 0-for-5 on their man-advantage.
The Sound Tigers will jump on the bus and return home in preparation for their next game on Wednesday, January 7 at Arena at Harbor Yard against the Houston Aeros. Face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. For information on tickets or how you can receive a group discount, contact the team's front office at (203) 334-GOAL or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.
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