Sound Tigers Outshot By Hartford 3-2
Published on December 23, 2005 under 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, were defeated by the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-2 at home in a seven-round shootout on Friday night. By extending the game to the shootout before falling, the Sound Tigers headed into the AHL's holiday break having earned three of a possible four standings points against two of the league's top teams, including a 2-1 home win over the first-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at home Wednesday.
The Sound Tigers played Friday's game without leading goal scorer Jeff Hamilton who was recalled by the Islanders and notched an assist in their 4-2 home loss to the Ottawa Senators Friday. Hamilton was returned to Bridgeport at night's end.
The chances in the first period were few and far between. Sound Tigers goaltender Wade Dubielewicz made 12 saves and Wolf Pack goalie Al Montoya stopped all eight shots he faced.
Hartford started the second period off with a power-play goal at 2:46 by Thomas Pock, his fifth tally of the year, off assists from Colby Genoway and Dwight Helminen, each extending their scoring streaks on the play.
The Sound Tigers tied the game 1-1 at 13:06 when Bruno Gervais started a three-on-two attack from the defensive zone and when he reached the offensive zone, he dished the puck to Robert Nilsson, who gave it right back, and Gervais put it through the five hole for his ninth goal of the season, ranking him second both on the Sound Tigers and among all AHL defenseman.
Rob Collins gave the Sound Tigers the lead 2-1 at 19:38 when he buried a one-timer from Matt Koalska for his eighth marker of the year. Cole Jarrett also assisted on the play, which saw Collins navigate his way through the Wolf Pack zone before starting a give-and-go sequence with Koalska.
"Koalska was able to protect the puck in the corner, and Collins popped down in the slot," Sound Tigers head coach Dave Baseggio said. "It was a great shot over Montoya's glove."
The game became tied 2-2 after Helminen knocked home a rebound off a Nigel Dawes' shot for his team-leading 16th goal of the year. David Liffiton also assisted on the play.
The score remained tied for the rest of regulation. In overtime, Dubielewicz poke-checked a potential game-winning goal on an Ivan Baranka breakaway. The Sound Tigers also had an opportunity, but Colliton hit the post.
"Dubie gave us a great chance to win," Baseggio said. "It was a fast-paced game, and we were able to capitalize on a couple of chances."
In the seventh round of the shootout, Jarkko Immonen closed the door on the game after the puck squirted through the legs of Dubielewicz. Sound Tigers scorers were Collins, Nilsson and Colliton. Hartford's scorers were Dawes, Pock, Daniel Sparre and Immonen.
The Wolf Pack were 1 for 5 on the power play, 5 for 5 on the penalty kill and held a 47-24 shots on goal advantage. The first star was Immonen, the second was Helminen and the third was Dubielewicz.
In addition to the return of Hamilton, the Sound Tigers also released defenseman Scott Ford from a professional tryout contract after Friday's game.
The Sound Tigers will return from the AHL's holiday break to finish a four-game homestand when they host the Springfield Falcons next Wednesday, December 28th at 7:05 p.m. 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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