AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Fall to Monarchs 2-1

Published on October 10, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn - Justin Azevedo scored midway through the third period to break a 1-1 tie, Erik Ersberg made 27 saves, and the Manchester Monarchs defeated the Sound Tigers 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard to earn their first win of the season.

Last night's game was an offensive display with eight goals scored in regulation. The tone for a physical game today was set early on when Sound Tigers enforcer Jeremy Yablonski dropped the gloves with Manchester's Justin Johnson just 2:29 into the first period. The two threw haymakers in what was a prolonged brawl, with Yablonski getting the better of Johnson.

After a fairly quiet start to the game offensively for both sides, again it was the Sound Tigers scoring first for the second time in less than 24 hours. The Sound Tigers had a strong forecheck and their aggressiveness in the offensive zone resulted in a goal. Defenseman Dylan Reese dug the puck out of the nearside corner in the Monarchs zone and found Figren in the slot, who fired a one-timer over Monarchs goaltender Erik Ersberg. It was Figren's second goal of the season, and it put the Sound Tigers in front 1-0 with just over six minutes remaining in the first period.

The score remained that way until the 6:08 mark of the second period. Monarchs forward John Zeiler worked behind the Sound Tigers net to free the puck, and moved it in front to Dwight King. King's shot from the slot beat Mikko Koskinen low and to his right, and Manchester tied the game at one goal apiece.

The Sound Tigers nearly jumped ahead with five minutes remaining in the second period when Dustin Kohn made a pass from his blue line all the way up to Rhett Rakhshani, who was waiting all alone at the Manchester blue line. Rakhshani skated in and couldn't finish, but drew a hooking penalty from Alec Martinez to give the Sound Tigers a power play opportunity. However, the home team couldn't take advantage of the chance with the extra skater, and the score stayed tied 1-1.

Manchester broke the tie on the second strange goal to go against the Sound Tigers in as many games. This time, forward Justin Azevedo took a bad angle shot from below the goal line in the far side corner. The puck appeared to deflect in off of defenseman Brett Motherwell's skate and between Koskinen's legs, and it proved to be the game-winner. The Sound Tigers appeared to tie the game with .6 seconds remaining in regulation when Matt Martin found the puck in traffic in front of the Manchester net and put it past Ersberg, but the referees ruled a hand pass on Rhett Rakhshani to nullify the goal.

Koskinen started his second straight game in net and made 30 saves in the loss for the Sound Tigers.

The Sound Tigers return to action next weekend when they hit the road for the first time this season and travel to Portland to take on the Pirates on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Sound Tigers will be back at Harbor Yard next weekend, for a Saturday Night tilt against the Hartford Wolf Pack 7 p.m. and a Sunday afternoon matinee against Portland at 3 p.m.

THREE STARS

Azevedo, MCH

Figren, BRI

Ersberg, MCH

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American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2010


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