Sound Tigers Claw Back to Defeat Admirals
Published on February 7, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
NORFOLK, VA - Goals by Mike Lundin and Justin Keller staked the Norfolk Admirals (19-23-2-5) to a 2-0 lead in the second period. However, Joe Joensuu netted the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' (28-16-3-2) third unanswered goal with 57 seconds remaining in regulation to defeat the Admirals 3-2 on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.
After a scoreless opening period, the Admirals used a power play to take a 1-0 lead early in the second stanza. Brandon Bochenski sent a slap shot from the top of the right circle that Bridgeport goaltender Tobias Stephan blocked. Mike Lundin found the rebound at the top of the crease and fired it high over the outstretched blocker hand of Stephan at 4:46.
Norfolk's lead doubled less than two minutes later. Scott Jackson blocked a Bridgeport shot in front of Norfolk netminder Riku Helenius. The puck caromed to Brandon Bochenski in the high slot, and Bochenski fired a pass up ice to the Bridgeport blueline to spring Justin Keller on a partial breakaway down the right wing. Keller cut across the low slot and eluded the poke check of both a pursuing defender and the goaltender before depositing a shot into the net past the right leg of Stephan at 6:18.
The Sound Tigers cut their deficit in half at 16:25 of the middle period. Mike Iggulden sent a shot from the right faceoff circle that deflected off the skate of an Admirals defender in the low slot and went through the leg pads of Helenius.
Bridgeport tied the game 11:43 into the final frame. Andrew MacDonald sent a shot from the right point that bounced off Helenius. Jeremy Colliton found the rebound in the low slot and sent a quick shot past Helenius blocker-side.
Jesse Joensuu netted the game-winning goal with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. He skated from the left wing behind the net and emerged at the top of the right circle where he sent a wrist shot through traffic and past a screened Helenius for the go-ahead tally.
Riku Helenius (28 shots, 25 saves) suffered the loss. Tobias Stephan (32 shots, 30 saves) got the win in his AHL season debut.
Norfolk was 1-5 on the power play. Bridgeport was 0-4.
The Admirals will travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tomorrow for a 5:05 p.m. faceoff against the Penguins. They will return to Scope next Friday night to face off against the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7:15 p.m.
To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Season tickets start at just $42 per month! Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!
American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2009
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- Griffins Succomb to Monsters' Power Play, 4-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Sound Tigers Claw Back to Defeat Admirals - Norfolk Admirals
- Falcons Fall To Wolf Pack 3-2 - Springfield Falcons
- Wolf Pack win over Falcons - Connecticut Whale
- Rampage get a point in Hershey in 3-2 SOL - San Antonio Rampage
- Joensuu's goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation wins game for Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Crunch Roll Past Marlies - Syracuse Crunch
- Rats Take Down Portland In Shootout - Albany River Rats
- River Rats Need Shootout to Beat Pirates 3-2 - Portland Pirates
- Garrison Lifts Amerks to 3-2 OT Win over B-Sens - Rochester Americans
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