AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Whale Spoils Poulin's Effort with 3-2 OT Win

Published on November 18, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - Kevin Poulin made a season-high 42 saves and earned first-star honors, but was unable to stop Brendan Bell on a breakaway with 6.8 seconds left in overtime as the Connecticut Whale defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 at XL Center on Friday night. The Whale improves to 8-4-1-2 overall. The Sound Tigers earn a point with the overtime loss as their record moves to 8-6-2-0.

The opening period was full of opportunities for both the Sound Tigers and Whale, but neither side was able to net the game's first goal. The Sound Tigers and Whale combined for five power play opportunities, but Bridgeport goaltender Kevin Poulin and counterpart Chad Johnson stood their ground between the pipes.

David Ullstrom opened up the scoring for the Sound Tigers 6:10 into the second period and tied a Sound Tigers franchise record in the process. Matt Donovan's point shot was initially stopped by Johnson, but Ullstrom backhanded the puck home for his seventh goal in seven straight games, tying Jeff Tambellini's mark for consecutive games with a goal.

The Whale responded with two quick goals to take the lead. Carl Hagelin deflected Tim Erixon's point shot past Poulin to even the score at one. The Whale took the lead 1:31 later when Jonathan Audy-Marchessaut forced a turnover behind the Sound Tigers net and found Francois Bouchard alone in the right circle. Bouchard beat Poulin on the near side for his first goal as a member of the Whale, which lead 2-1 after 40 minutes and outshot the Sound Tigers 23-9 through the first two periods.

The Whale continued to fire away but Poulin made save after save to keep the Sound Tigers in the game, and Ullstrom scored again on the power play to tie the score. The second=2Dyear Sound Tigers skated in along the left side and beat Johnson short-side for his 12th goal of the season to make the score 2-2 with 6:50 left in regulation.

The Sound Tigers earned a power play chance in overtime when Blake Parlett went to the penalty box for hooking at 1:52, but Ullstrom was called for a high stick 17 seconds later which negated the man-advantage. Bell scored the game-winnner in the waning seconds while waiting at the Sound Tigers blue line. Bell took a lead pass from Mats Zuccarello and snuck in behind the Sound Tigers defense, backhanding the puck through Poulin's legs to give the Whale the 3-2 win.

All three games between the Sound Tigers and Whale have gone to overtime. The Sound Tigers won the first game on Oct. 15 by a 5-4 score in the shootout, and defeated the Whale 4-3 in overtime on Nov. 2 at Webster Bank Arena.

The Sound Tigers continue their weekend tomorrow evening when they host the Springfield Falcons at 7:00 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2011


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