AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Beat Philadelphia 4-2

Published on October 17, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, improved to 2-0 on the young season with a 4-2 home win over the Philadelphia Phantoms Sunday in a game that saw the teams score six different ways, including Barrett Heisten's penalty-shot goal that turned out to be the game-winner.

After a scoreless first period, the Sound Tigers took the first lead on an unassisted, shorthanded, delayed-penalty goal by Ryan Kraft, his second tally in as many days and on the season, 6:09 into the middle frame. However, Philadelphia's Mark Murphy answered 1:14 later with his first goal of the season, at even strength, off an assist from David Printz.

The Sound Tigers went on a major power play when the Phantoms Eric Meloche was assessed five minutes for high sticking, but they cut the advantage in half with a penalty of their own yet ended up regaining the lead on the ensuing four-on-four situation when Justin Papineau scored his second goal in as many days, and on the season, off assists from Chris Campoli and Rob Collins with 5:09 left in the second period.

Referee Harry Dumas, who whistled 35 minutes in penalties and 14 power plays, awarded the penalty shot when Heisten was hauled down after splitting the Philadelphia defense. The Anchorage, Alaska native looked as if he would cut into the right circle on his attempt but instead rifled a wrist shot from the slot over the shoulder of Phantoms Goaltender Antero Niittymaki at the 6:39 mark of the third period for his first goal of the season and as a Sound Tiger. It was the team's first penalty-shot goal since Justin Papineau notched one in his first game with the club in March of 2003 after the Islanders acquired him from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Netminder Chris Osgood.

Philadelphia pulled to within 3-2 with 10:49 left to play as Patrick Sharp scored a five-on-three power-play goal, his first tally of the season, off assists from Joni Pitkanen and John Slaney.

The Phantoms removed Niittymaki in favor of an extra attacker with one minute left to play, but Eric Godard iced the win with an empty-net goal, his first marker of the year, off assists from Jim Campbell and Justin Mapletoft at the 19:24 mark. Campbell and Mapletoft both had assists in last night's season-opening 4-1 home win over the Albany River Rats as well.

Kraft was the first star of the game, Sound Tigers Goaltender Dieter Kochan was the second with 34 saves, and Heisten was the third. The Sound Tigers were 0 for 7 on the power play while Philadelphia was 1 for 7 and had a 36-25 shots on goal advantage.

The Sound Tigers will host Albany this Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. They will also visit the River Rats this Friday at 7 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live at www.soundtigers.com. Friday's game will also be broadcast live on 600 WICC-AM while Wednesday's contest is subject to pre-emption on the radio side by New York Yankees baseball.

Information regarding Sound Tigers ticket packages and sponsorship opportunities is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com. Groups, organizations, companies, etc. that are interested in having a member of the Sound Tigers appear at an event are invited to call 203-334-GOAL.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2004


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