AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Valiquette, Sound Tigers Blank San Antonio 2-0

Published on February 18, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Hockey League's 2001-02 Regular Season Champion and Eastern Conference Playoff Champion Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, blanked the San Antonio Rampage 2-0 at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard Tuesday. Goaltender Steve Valiquette made 35 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Sound Tigers' posted their first-ever win over the expansion team from Texas.

Tuesday's win, coupled with the Binghamton Senators' 4-0 road loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs, moved the Sound Tigers into a tie, with Binghamton, for first place in the East Division heading into four straight games versus division opponents.

The teams skated to a scoreless tie through the first two periods of play Tuesday with San Antonio posting a 23-16 shots on goal advantage, but the Sound Tigers generating the better scoring chances including two that hit the post, one by Justin Mapletoft in the first period and another by Trent Hunter with :10 left in the middle frame.

The Sound Tigers opened the scoring just :18 into the third period as Mattias Weinhandl extended his point-scoring streak to six games by redirecting an Alan Letang shot past San Antonio Goaltender Chris Mason. It was Weindhandl's eighth goal of the season and his 18th point in as many games with the Sound Tigers this year. Hunter was credited with the other assist on the play.

San Antonio pulled Mason in favor of an extra attacker with :55 left in the third period, but Eric Manlow sealed the win with an unassisted, empty-net goal, his 15th marker of the season, with :29.9 left to play.

The Sound Tigers were 0 for 2 on the power play while San Antonio was 0 for 4 and had a 35-28 shots on goal advantage. Valiquette was the number one star of the game, Weinhandl was number two, and Sound Tigers Defenseman Alain Nasreddine was number three.

The Sound Tigers will finish a three-game homestand when they host the Albany River Rats tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. It will be the fifth of eight games in ten days and the second of a five games in six days, both of which mark the busiest stretch of play in franchise history. The Sound Tigers will visit the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday at 7:05 p.m., the Springfield Falcons Saturday at 7:35 p.m. and Binghamton Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

All Sound Tigers' games are broadcast live on "The ZONE" FOX Sports Radio 1300 AM and at www.soundtigers.com. WSTC/WNLK 1400/1350 AM also broadcasts road games.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2003


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