AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Offense Breaks Out In 6-4 Win Over Manchester

Published on February 6, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT -- Greg Mauldin and Jesse Joensuu each had a goal and two assists and Matt Martin added a goal and an assist to lead the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 6-4 win over the Manchester Monarchs Saturday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard. With the victory, the Sound Tigers snapped a six game winless streak and improved to 23-21-3-6 on the season.

The six goals were the most the Sound Tigers have scored since a six goal outburst against Springfield on December 12. It was the first time Bridgeport had scored more than two goals in a game since January 16.

The game got off to a fast start as there were two goals and two fights in the opening minute. Trevor Smith got things started 33 seconds into the contest, converting a pass from Joensuu. Joensuu picked up a loose puck along the wall and sent a centering pass to Smith who was charging the net. Smith made a hard stop and tipped the puck past Jonathan Bernier for his 16th goal of the year. Bridgeport's lead was short-lived as, just 16 seconds later, Brad Holloway put a rebound off a shot by Juraj Mikus past Martin Biron to tie the game.

Robin Figren gave Bridgeport the lead with 8:55 left in the first period. Martin sent a centering pass from the wall to Figren in the slot. Figren snapped a shot past Bernier for his second goal of the year.

Joensuu and Smith teamed up again to give the Sound Tigers a two goal lead 4:17 into the second period. Smith led a rush up the ice, sending a shot on net. Bernier made the save but Joensuu was charging the net and cleaned up the rebound for his 11th goal of the year.

Manchester scored three straight goals in the second period to grab the lead. David Kolomatis made it 3-2 with a power-play goal at the 8:10 mark of the second. Kolomatis took a pass from Justin Azevedo and fired a shot from the point through traffic and past a screened Biron. The goal was the third of the year for Kolomatis.

John Zeiler tied the game for Manchester with 8:48 left in the second. King threw a pass from behind the net to Zeiler in the slot and he put a backhand shot top-shelf for his sixth goal of the year. Azevedo gave the Monarchs the lead 1:11 later, finishing off a rebound following a shot by Mikus.

Mark Flood tied the game 3:06 into the third period. Flood set-up at the left point, took a pass from Mauldin and blasted a shot that deflected off a Manchester defender and sailed past Bernier, tying the game at 4.

Mauldin scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal with 7:28 left in regulation, Joensuu carried the puck behind the net and sent a pass out to Mauldin at the top of the face-off circles. Mauldin quickly snapped a shot high over Bernier's shoulder to give the Sound Tigers the lead. Brendan Witt had the secondary assist on the goal, tallying his first point as a Sound Tiger.

Martin deflected Sean Bentivoglio's shot from the slot with 6:26 left to give the Sound Tigers a two goal cushion.

"It was a good team effort," Sound Tigers head coach Jack Capuano said. "We battled against a strong team and a good goaltender."

The Sound Tigers outshot the Monarchs 35-31. Biron made 27 saves to earn the victory in his second conditioning start for Bridgeport.

"It felt good to get a win," Biron said. "I enjoyed playing here because it brought be back to my roots."

The Sound Tigers are back in action Friday night when they host the Worcester Sharks at 7:00 pm at Harbor Yard. After a visit to Hartford Saturday night, Bridgeport returns home on Sunday, February 14th, as the Sound Tigers host the Springfield Falcons at 3:00 pm. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2010


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