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AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Keep Streak Alive But Downed In Thriller

January 11, 2006 - 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, lost 4-3 in a nine-round shootout to the Hartford Wolf Pack Wednesday. Even though they lost, the Sound Tigers extended their unbeaten-in-regulation streak to nine games at 7-0-0-2 and their home run to eight at 6-0-0-2.

"We needed the points," Sound Tigers coach Dave Baseggio said. "Before the streak, we were out of the playoffs, but I think that we have used this run to its maximum benefit."

In the opening frame, the Wolf Pack got on the board first on a shorthanded goal while Colby Genoway was in the penalty box for boarding. Nigel Dawes scored his 14th of the season at 8:23 off assists from Dwight Helminen and Thomas Pock.

The Sound Tigers roared right back on the same power play with a goal by Evgeny Tunik, his second of the season, at 9:17 with just five seconds left on the advantage to tie the score at 1-1. Allan Rourke and Cole Jarrett picked up assists on the play.

Before the period would end, Hartford regained the lead at 2-1 when Helminen scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season assisted by Dawes and Genoway at the 14:13 mark.

Dawes led the way again 4:06 into the second period for the Wolf Pack scoring his second goal of the game and 15th of the season on assists by Genoway and Helminen.

The Sound Tigers' power play struck again when Matt Koalska swatted home his 11th goal of the season off assists from David Masse and Rob Collins, his team-best 24th helper and 33rd point, 12:05 into the middle frame. Masse then tied the score at 3-3 with his fifth tally of the year, on another power play, with 2:28 left in the second period off assists from Koalska and Joel Bouchard.

Goaltenders Cody Rudkowsky of the Sound Tigers and Al Montoya of Hartford then took charge as neither team was able to score through the end of regulation and the overtime. The teams also went scoreless through the first three rounds of the shootout before Pock tallied for the Wolf Pack while Koalska answered for the Sound Tigers in the fourth round. After four more scoreless rounds, Jarkko Immonen notched the eventual game-winner in the first half of the ninth with Montoya denying Koalska in the bottom half for the win.

"When guys score in the shootout," Rudkowsky said. "I feel like I do not have to make every save so it is a real confidence builder to be able to feel that comfortable in net."

Immonen was the first star, Dawes the second and Masse the third. Rudkowsky finished with 41 saves while Montoya made 29. Hartford earned the lone shot in the shootout to finish with a 45-32 edge. The Sound Tigers were 3 for 10 on the power play and 6 for 6 on the penalty kill.

The Sound Tigers will visit the Binghamton Senators this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and the Lowell Lock Monsters this Sunday at 4:05 p.m. They will return home to host the Norfolk Admirals this Monday, January 16th at 1:05 p.m. on "State Employees Day" with free admission for all State of Connecticut employees who show valid identification at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard box office.

All Sound Tigers games are web-cast live at www.soundtigers.com. Fans can also watch all games live on the B2 Networks. Information about Sound Tigers ticket packages and promotions is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or emailing info@soundtigers.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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