Top Line Cues Sound Tigers 4-3 Win Over Crunch
Published on December 11, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
SYRACUSE, NY (Dec. 11, 2010) ¬" Josh Bailey and Rhett Rakhshani had three-point nights and Wes O'Neill scored the game-winner with 6:27 left in regulation as the Sound Tigers held off the Syracuse Crunch for a 4-3 win on Saturday night in Syracuse. With the win, the Sound Tigers move over .500 for the first time since opening night and improve to 13-12-1-1. The Crunch drop to 9-14-1-3.
The Sound Tigers and Crunch each had chances to get on the scoreboard in the first period but both Bridgeport's Mikko Koskinen and Syracuse's Timo Pielmeier held their ground in their respective creases. The Sound Tigers their best scoring chance late in the period while on their second power play of the game. However, Pielmeier went into a split to make a save on a deflection from Robin Figren as he was cutting to the net, and both teams went to the dressing room scoreless after 20 minutes.
The second period was a different story as the Sound Tigers erupted for three goals in the middle frame. Jeremy Colliton began the scoring with his fourth goal of the season just 40 seconds into the period. Colliton scored while falling down in front of the crease to put Bridgeport in front 1-0. Syracuse would tie the score with a power play goal from Matt Beleskey at the 5:09 mark, but that tie would be short-lived. Rakhshani fired a one-timer from the left faceoff circle on the power play for his team-leading 10th goal of the season at 7:08. Brandon Svendsen followed five minutes later on a rebound for his second goal of the year, and the Sound Tigers lead 3-1 heading to the third period.
Syracuse came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders and tied the game with two goals in the first 3:05 of the third period. Matt Clark scored his first goal of the season at 1:42 after Koskinen mishandled Clark's initial shot and the Crunch defenseman followed his rebound to make the score 3-2. Just 1:23 later John Mitchell camped out in front of Koskinen and buried his first of the season to tie the game at three.
The Sound Tigers would respond with 6:27 to go. Bailey and Rakhshani continued their impressive evenings with passes by the left faceoff circle which allowed Wes O'Neill to sneak beneath the Crunch defense. O'Neill fired a one-timer from the right circle past Pielmeier for his third goal of the season to put the Sound Tigers ahead for good. Syracuse threatened down the stretch and was inches from tying the game, but Kyle Palmieri's shot from the slot with one minute remaining caromed off the post and the Sound Tigers escaped with a 4-3 victory.
Koskinen battled down the stretch and made 30 saves to earn the win for the Sound Tigers. Pielmeier made 27 saves in a losing effort.
The Sound Tigers will look for their fourth straight win tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Worcester, Mass to take on the Sharks at 3:00 p.m.
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