Sound Tigers Defeat Hartford 3-2 In Overtime
March 26, 2005 - 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, beat the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-2 at home in an overtime thriller on Saturday.
Hartford took a 1-0 lead with a goal by Lucas Lawson at the 14:28 mark of the first period. Lawson's fourth goal of the season came off assists from Jeff Hamilton and Jamie Lundmark. Alexandre Giroux upped the Wolf Pack's lead 1:57 later to 2-0 with his team-leading 27th goal of the season. Trevor Gillies and Bryce Lampman were each awarded an assist on the play.
The Sound Tigers bounced back with 1:08 left to play in the opening frame when Matt Koalska scored his fifth goal of the season, off assists from Steve Regier and Ryan Caldwell to cut the lead 2-1.
Late into the second period at 16:56, Koalska put home a rebound off an initial Regier shot for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season. An assist was also awarded to Rob Collins, his team-leading 33rd helper, on the play to tie the game at 2-2.
Neither team was able to score in the third period sending the game into a five-minute, four-on-four overtime session. With 20 seconds left to play, Bruno Gervais one-timed a slap-shot on the power play past Hartford netminder Steve Valiquette for the 3-2 victory. Gervais' seventh goal of the season came off assists from Chris Campoli and Justin Papineau.
Koalska was the first star of the game with two goals, Regier was the second with two assists and Gervais was the third with the game-winner. Sound Tiger goaltender Wade Dubielewicz made 29 saves for the win. The Sound Tigers were 1 for 5 on the power play and 5 for 5 on the penalty kill. The Wolf Pack had a 31-25 shots on goal advantage. Valiquette made 22 saves in a losing effort.
The Sound Tigers will head out of town for a critical three-game road trip against a pair of East Division opponents this coming week. They will visit the Norfolk Admirals Wednesday and Friday, at 7:03 p.m. on both nights, and the Hershey Bears next Saturday at 7 p.m. The Sound Tigers will return to Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard to host the Binghamton Senators next Sunday, April 3rd at 4:05 p.m.
Information regarding Sound Tigers ticket packages and marketing 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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