Sound Tigers Lose 3-2 In OT
April 18, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
WILKES-BARRE, PA - The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, lost 3-2 in overtime on the road to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Sunday. The Sound Tigers now lead the best-of-seven Calder Cup Playoff East Division Semifinal two games to one, with all three games in the series won in the extra session by the home team.
The Sound Tigers took the first lead of the game with their second opening-minute goal of the series as Rob Collins scored his second of the playoffs, his sixth point, off assists from Sean Bergenheim and Brandon Smith 56 seconds into the contest.
The Sound Tigers doubled their advantage to 2-0 with the first shorthanded goal for either team in the entire season series, playoffs or regular-season, as Sean Bergenheim blasted a slap shot past Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Goaltender Sebastien Caron for his second goal of the postseason, an unassisted marker, 3:26 into the middle frame, but the Penguins pulled to within 2-1 when Eric Meloche redirected a Ryan Whitney shot for his second goal of the playoffs with Konstantin Koltsov collecting the second assist at the 16:30 mark of the second period.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied the score with 5:58 left in regulation as Matt Murley was left all alone in the slot and slipped a shot past Sound Tigers Netminder Dieter Kochan for his second goal of the postseason off assists from Michel Ouellet and Shane Endicott.
Caron started the decisive play by firing the puck up ice to Toby Petersen who moved it to Meloche who then raced in alone from the left wing and into the slot where he beat Kochan with the game-winner, his third goal of the playoffs, at the 3:08 mark of overtime.
Meloche was the first star of the game, Whitney the second, and Koltsov the third. Each team took two shots in overtime, but the Penguins dominated that category with a 37-17 overall advantage in the game. Kochan made 34 saves, and Caron made 15. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 0 for 10 on the power play while the Sound Tigers were 0 for 3 with one opportunity in each period of regulation.
Game four in the series will take place at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania this Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. The series will return to Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard for game five this Thursday at 7:05 p.m. All games are web cast live at www.soundtigers.com.
Sound Tigers Calder Cup Playoff tickets are on sale at the Harbor Yard box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on all game days. Sound Tigers tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 203-368-1000. Information regarding Playoff Strip Ticket Packages is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com.
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American Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2004
- Eric Meloche scores game-winner in OT as Pens win, 3-2 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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- Bulldogs begin quest for Calder Cup Tuesday - Hamilton Bulldogs
- West Divsion semifinals schedule announced - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Sound Tigers Lose 3-2 In OT - Bridgeport Islanders
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- American Hockey League Playoff Schedule - AHL
- Webb, Munn Return To Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
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- Pens fall in OT, 5-4, again - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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