AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Tambellini, Tigers Trick Devils

Published on December 16, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


Jeff Tambellini scored a hat-trick to help the Bridgeport Sound Tigers overcome an early 3-0 deficit and defeat the Lowell Devils 6-4 before 4,734 fans at the Arena at Harbor Yard on Saturday night. Tambellini's three-goal performance gives him 15 tallies to lead the team. The Sound Tigers won their third straight home game and improved to 12-9-1-3 and Lowell fell to 14-12-2-1.

Trailing 3-1 to start the second period, the Sound Tigers capped a four-goal rally with three tallies on four shots in a span of just 2:27 to open the second period. After Tambellini's first goal, late in the first period, Jeremy Colliton extended his point streak to eight games when he used his size and strength to get around a Lowell defenseman to score and get the Sound Tigers within a goal at 3-2 at 2:02 of the second period. Petteri Nokelainen knotted the game at 3-3 with his first goal of the season just 40 seconds later. At 4:29, Tambellini finished a perfectly executed give and go pass play with Robert Nilsson to score for a 4-3 lead. Nilsson and Frans Nielsen both had three assists for the Sound Tigers who matched their highest offensive outburst of the season.

After the Devils tied the game 4-4 on a Dan McGillis goal at 15:11 of the middle period, Steve Regier regained Bridgeport's lead with his eighth of the season at the 17:22 mark with what proved to be the decisive goal. Tambellini scored his third goal, in the third period, to seal the win.

Barry Tallackson, who had a pair of first period goals, and Ryan Murphy, who had two opening stanza assists both had three points in the first period alone as Lowell opened a 3-0 lead. Tallackson finished with two goals and two assists for four points.

Both teams chased the opposition's starting goaltenders, with Bridgeport's Billy Thompson backing up Michael Mole with 25 saves on 26 shots to earn the win. Lowell's Jordan Parise was relieved by Frank Doyle after Bridgeport fought back for a 4-3 lead.

Bridgeport outshot Lowell 35-32 and beat the Devils in dramatic fashion for the second time in as many tries this season. In their first meeting, a 3-2 win on Dec. 2, Colliton won the game with a shorthanded tally in overtime. The Devils were 1-for-3 on the power play and the Sound Tigers went 1-for-5 on the advantage in their most recent clash.

The Sound Tigers host the Norfolk Admirals Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. For schedule and ticket information, including group discount opportunities, please call 334-4625, click on soundtigers.com or visit the Arena at Harbor Yard Box Office.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2006


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