AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Win 3-2 On Long Island

February 18, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


UNIONDALE, NY - The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 16,297 at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, the largest crowd in Sound Tiger history and the 10th highest attendance in AHL history.

The Sound Tigers led 1-0 after a period of play as top Islanders prospect Sean Bergenheim notched an unassisted, delayed-penalty, shorthanded goal 11:28 into the game for his 14th marker of the year.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took the first ten shots of the middle frame, most coming on three straight power plays, but goaltender Dieter Kochan, fresh off a 45-save shutout win in Binghamton last night, was equal to the task and kept the Sound Tigers ahead by a goal and allowed them to pad the lead late in the period as another top Islanders prospect Justin Papineau redirected a Rob Collins shot for his seventh goal of the season, on the power play, to make it 2-0 with 1:20 left on the clock. The helper upped an assist streak to three games and a scoring streak to six games for Collins with Ryan Caldwell also assisting on the play.

Papineau scored his second goal of the game and eighth of the season 9:08 into the third period, once again on the power play, to give the Sound Tigers a 3-0 lead. Bruno Gervais picked up an assist on a nice pass that set up the goal. Chris Campoli received the other helper. Gervais is now on a two-game assist streak while Campoli has helpers in three straight games.

The Penguins cut the lead to 3-2 with a pair of Matt Murley goals, his 15th on the power play and 16th shorthanded with netminder Marc-Andre Fleury pulled in favor of an extra attacker, late in the third period. Michel Ouellet picked up assists on both goals while Kris Beech and Chris Kelleher earned the other helpers making it a one-goal game with 52.9 seconds left to play, but they could not tie the score.

For the second straight game the Sound Tigers scored a pair of power-play goals going 2 for 7 on the evening. The Penguins were 1 for 9 on the advantage and outshot the Sound Tigers 33-13.

Papineau earned the game's first star, Gervais the second, and Bergenheim the third. Kochan finished with 31 saves while Fleury made ten.

Net proceeds from Friday's game will benefit the New York Islanders Children's Foundation, which plans to distribute the funds to charities that support children in need. Sound Tigers season subscribers will receive a complimentary Gift Bag, including team merchandise and tickets to an upcoming New York Dragons game, for making the trip to Long Island. Sound Tigers season-ticket holders should call 203-334-GOAL to reserve their tickets. All fans can purchase tickets to Friday's game at the Nassau Coliseum by logging on to ticketmaster.com.

The Sound Tigers will return home to host the Worcester IceCats at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard this Sunday at 4:05 p.m. The Sound Tigers, Shaw ‚¬â„¢s Supermarkets and WEBE 108 FM will present the second-annual "Connecticut's Largest Baby Shower" this Sunday. Fans are asked to donate non-perishable baby supplies, which will benefit St. Vincent's Charities. All fans who donate will receive a voucher for a ticket to an upcoming Sound Tigers game.

Information regarding Sound Tigers ticket packages and marketing opportunities is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com. Groups, organizations, companies, etc. that are interested in having a member of the Sound Tigers appear at an event are invited to call 203-334-GOAL.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2005


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