AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Fall In Shootout To Whale 3-2

Published on November 27, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


HARTFORD, Conn - Jeremy Williams's fifth round shootout goal made the difference despite 43 saves in regulation by Nathan Lawson, as the Connecticut Whale defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 in the Whale's inaugural game at the XL Center. The Whale improves to 7-11-2-3 overall. The Sound Tigers earn a point with the shootout loss and now stand at 9-11-1-1.

The Sound Tigers and Whale played a first period similar to last night's game between the two teams. Neither side was able to generate many quality scoring chances, and the two sides replicated last night's physical play as the Sound Tigers' Olivier Labelle and the Whale's Stu Bickel dropped the gloves midway through the period. Nathan Lawson stopped all 12 shots he faced and the two sides went to the dressing rooms scoreless after 20 minutes.

Lawson made some big saves while the Sound Tigers were shorthanded 5-on-3 for 1:15 midway through the third, but the Whale were the first to score for the second straight night. With five minutes remaining in the period, Stu Bickel's shot from the right point was deflected by Brodie Dupont past Lawson to give the Whale a 1-0 lead heading to the final period of play.

The Sound Tigers would tie the score at the 6:22 mark of the third. Micheal Haley held the puck behind the Whale's net and passed the puck out front to Rhett Rakhshani. Rakhshani fired a shot through Chad Johnson's legs for his seventh goal of the season to tie the game 1-1.

The Whale would retake the lead with just less than six minutes left in regulation. Following a faceoff win in the Sound Tigers' zone, Dupont's shot was deflected by Oren Eizenman past Lawson to give the Whale a 2-1 lead. But for the second straight night, a Sound Tigers defenseman would tie the game late in the third to force overtime. David Ullstrom ‘s deflection from Chris Blight's right faceoff circle shot was stopped by Johnson, but Anton Klementyev found the rebound and buried his second goal of the season to tie the game 2-2 with just 2:12 left in regulation.

Back-and-forth action was the theme of the overtime session, but neither side was able to score and for the second straight game the two teams faced off in a shootout. Chad Kolarik scored in the second round, and Jeremy Williams scored the game-winner to lead off the fifth and final round to clinch the win for the Whale.

Nathan Lawson was superb in net for the second straight game and made 43 saves in the loss, tying him with Kevin Poulin for the Sound Tigers' season-high. Chad Johnson made just 19 saves to earn the win.

The Sound Tigers close out the weekend tomorrow afternoon when they host the Norfolk Admirals at 3 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2010


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