Smith's late goal claims the victory for Sound Tigers
February 8, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
Only a minute remained in the third period, but it was just enough time for center-man, Trevor Smith to snap home the game-winning goal to give the Sound Tigers the 3-2 win over the Lowell Devils.
For only the fourth time at home, the Sound Tigers allowed the first goal of the game and were able to come from behind to win the game. Pierre-Luc Leblond opened the scoring for the Devils when he snapped a wrist shot over the shoulder of Sound Tiger starting goaltender, Mike Morrison for the 1-0 lead. Leblond's second goal of the season to give Lowell the lead was short-lived. Steve Regier out-worked a Devil defenseman and after three attempts, finally put the puck past Lowell starting net-minder, Frank Doyle knotting the game at one just 48 seconds later. Tim Jackman and Ben Walter assisted on Regier's 13th tally of the season.
In the second period, Kyle Okposo would make it 2-1 Sound Tigers just 51 seconds into the middle frame. With the Devils on a delayed penalty call, the line of Okposo, Smith and Sean Bentivoglio controlled the play deep in the zone. Bentivoglio walked out from behind the net and saucered a pass in front to Okposo who one-timed the puck through Doyle for his third goal of the season.
The Sound Tigers would carry the lead into the third period but Lowell would tie the score about half-way into the final period of regulation. On a broken play in the neutral zone, Barry Tallackson skated in over the blue-line and snapped a shot that seemed to dip under Morrison's blocker, tying the score at 2-2. Mark Fraser and Petr Vrana assisted on Tallackson's 15th goal of the season. The game seemed destined for overtime, but with 1:03 remaining, Smith would bury the game-winner with his team on the power-play. Mark Wotton made a nice play on the near boards to keep the puck in the offensive zone, chipping the puck past an attacking forward to Smith. Smith skated up the boards, corralled the puck at the top of the right circle and leaned into a snap shot that went past Doyle's glove, winning the game for the Sound Tigers, 3-2.
Morrison earned his 15th victory of the season making 24 saves on 26 shots while Doyle finished the game with 23 saves. The Sound Tigers were 1-for-9 on the man-advantage and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty-kill.
Next up for the Sound Tigers are the Portland Pirates tomorrow night at 7 p.m. SpongeBob SquarePants will attend the game to greet kids and take pictures. The first 1,500 fans, the age of 14 and under will receive a Sound Tigers Youth Hockey Jersey. Also, the finalists from the Sound Tigers' second annual youth hockey shootout will compete during the intermissions to see who the best breakaway specialist in Connecticut is.
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