AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Senators defeat Tigers 3-2

Published on January 11, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


In his first professional game, Kyle Okposo played extremely well collecting two assists but it was not enough to hold off the Binghamton Senators as they won the game 3-2 over the Sound Tigers.

One minute into the opening period, prospect, Okposo had his first shift with line-mates Jeff Tambellini and Frans Nielsen. The trio had a great first shift registering two shots and one solid scoring chance in the near circle. Okposo dug the puck out of the near corner, skated to the middle and dropped a pass to Tambellini who snapped a shot that Binghamton starting goalie, Jeff Glass was able to redirect to the corner.

In the second period the Sound Tigers went on the power-play after Scott May took a two-minute high-sticking penalty at the end of the first period. The Sound Tigers capitalized on their odd-man opportunity when Ben Walter scored his tenth goal of the season. Okposo led the rush into the Senators' zone and dropped a pass to Dustin Kohn who sent a shot on net that Walter was able to redirect past Glass. Okposo had the second assist on the goal, his first professional point just 11 seconds into the second period for the 1-0 lead.

Sound Tigers' starting net-minder Mike Morrison made his best save of the game and then received some help from newly acquired Matt Keith. Ilya Zubov had two prime scoring chances, the first coming when he was all alone in front of the net and one-timed a pass that Morrison slid across the crease and stacked his pads to stop the puck. The rebound came back to Zubov who had a wide open net as Morrison slid out of the crease. Keith jumped in front, stuck his leg out and made a big save keeping the Senators off the board.

Zubov would get his revenge on Morrison however when he scored his tenth goal of the season on a low snap shot from the right circle, tying the score at one. The goal at the 12 minute mark was assisted by Brian Lee and Lawrence Nycholat.

Mauldin grabbed the lead for Binghamton about a minute into the third period when he snapped a loose puck in the slot through the legs of Morrison for his eighth goal of the year. Josh Hennessy and Lee picked up the assists. The Sound Tigers went on the man-advantage 10:48 into the period and Walter scored his second power-play goal of the game. With the Senators looking for possession as referee Shaun Davis had a delayed penalty called on Binghamton, Jeff Tambellini floated a shot towards the net that went wide. Okposo collected the puck and sent a pass that looked intended for Frans Nielsen at the back door but Walter caught it instead and put the puck past Glass as he was sliding across the crease, tieing the game at 2-2. The Senators would reclaim the one goal lead about five minutes later when Mauldin tipped his second goal of the game under Morrison. Matt Carkner and Nick Foligno had the assists on Mauldin's ninth goal of the season, the game-winner.

The Sound Tigers finished the game 2-for-6 on power-play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. Morrison stopped 29 shots while Glass had 35 saves.

Tomorrow, the Sound Tigers return home to take on the Springfield Falcons at 7 p.m. Do not miss Okposo's home debut in a Sound Tigers' uniform.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2008


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