AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers top Penguins in OT, 3-2

Published on March 1, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


Wilkes-Barre, PA - Mark Wotton's goal, 52 seconds into overtime gave the Sound Tigers a 3-2 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this evening at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Place. This was the second time this season that Wotton has scored a game-winning goal in overtime, the last time coming in a 5-4 win over the Lowell Devils on November 8. Jesse Joensuu opened the scoring for the Sound Tigers in the first period and would assist on Mike Iggulden's 23rd tally of the season in the middle frame. The Penguins had goals from Tommy Goebel and Jean-Michel Daoust. The Sound Tigers complete a home-and-home sweep over the Penguins and pull two points ahead of them in the East Division with 80 points and a 36-17-3-5 record.

Sound Tigers' team captain, Mark Wotton would set-up Joensuu's 17th goal of the season to open the scoring at 12:41 of the first period. Mike Iggulden was able to create a turnover along the boards and then chip the puck behind the goal-line, to the left of Penguins' starting goalie, John Curry. Wotton pinched in front the point and took the puck in the right corner. Facing pressure from behind by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman, Alex Goligoski, Wotton was able to spin away and skate behind the net. Joensuu was stationed in front and received a feed from Wotton, one-timing the puck past Curry for the 1-0 lead. Goebel would even the score at one just under two minutes later when he sent a shot on goal that took a friendly bounce off of Sound Tiger forward Trevor Smith's skate for his fifth goal of the year. Connor James and Dustin Jeffrey had the assists on the game-tying goal.

Following last night's pattern, Iggulden would break the 1-1 tie on a feed from Joensuu. Five minutes into the middle frame, Jeremy Colliton led a 2-on-1 up ice with Iggulden on the far side. Colliton dropped the puck to Kohn, who was trailing the play, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward, Dustin Jeffrey was able to intercept. Jeffrey lost control of the puck when he poked it away from Kohn and it bounced off Colliton and onto Iggulden's stick in the right circle. Iggulden wasted no time ripping a shot past an unsuspecting Curry for his 23rd goal of the season, giving the Sound Tigers a 2-1 lead.

Daoust tied the score at 2-2 in the third when he banked a centering attempt off Lawson's back for his ninth tally of the season. Janne Pesonen and Ben Lovejoy had the assists on the goal to send the game to overtime.

In the extra session, the Sound Tigers controlled the play with forwards Kurtis McLean and Trevor Smith dominating play down low in the Penguins' zone. As Wilkes-Barre/Scranton attempted to break the puck out, Wotton who skated through the crease and chipped the puck off of Deryk Engelland's stick. The puck fluttered in the left circle and Wotton corralled it and spun a shot on net that snuck through Curry's legs to win the game for the Sound Tigers, 3-2 in overtime. Smith and Jamie Fraser had the assists on Wotton's fourth goal and second game-winner of the season.

Lawson finished the game with 39 saves on 41 shots to earn the victory, while his counterpart, Curry stopped 23. The Sound Tigers were 0-for-1 on the power-play but 3-for-3 on the penalty-kill.

On Tuesday, the Sound Tigers will return to action at home against the Norfolk Admirals at 7 p.m. For tickets or information on how you can receive group discounted pricing, contact the team's front office at (203) 334-GOAL or e-mail info@soundtigers.com.

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2009


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.

OurSports Central