Wolf Pack defeat Sound Tigers
January 2, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
Hartford, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack used a pair of third-period goals to come from behind and defeat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 3-2, Saturday night in front of 4,718 at the XL Center.
Hartford's Evgeny Grachev scored twice, including the game-winner, and Dale Weise scored and added an assist to lead the Wolf Pack, who won for the first time this season after trailing after two periods of play.
"I just shot it," said Grachev of his second goal. "Usually when you look for something you never score."
Goaltender Chad Johnson posted 23 saves in his first appearance for the Wolf Pack since making his NHL debut for the New York Rangers Wednesday versus Philadelphia.
The Wolf Pack took the first lead of the game less than five minutes into the first period, as Grachev beat Sound Tigers goaltender Scott Munroe (24 saves) during their first power-play of the game at 4:57.
Weise passed to Nigel Williams at the right point, and Williams then fired a perfect pass that was deflected past Munroe by Grachev, for his first goal of the night and the 1-0 advantage.
The Wolf Pack had chances to extend the lead later in the frame, but Ilkka Heikkinen and Bobby Sanguinetti both found posts during a four-on-three power-play opportunity, and Brodie Dupont tipped a shot just wide of the net.
The Sound Tigers quickly tied the score in the second period, as Jesse Joensuu wheeled behind the Wolf Pack net and centered a pass on the backhand for Trevor Smith, who earned his eleventh goal by beating Johnson.
Mark Flood then gave Bridgeport the lead, as the Sound Tigers capitalized on a five-on-three man advantage. With P.A. Parenteau and Corey Potter in the penalty box, Mark Katic connected with Flood for the second Sound Tigers goal at the seven-minute mark.
Munroe played a solid second period, making nine saves on the Wolf Pack to maintain Bridgeport's lead, including stops on quality chances by Derek Couture and Andres Ambühl.
Hartford managed to tie the score at two apiece, however, midway through the third, as Weise scored from his knees on a backhanded, no-look shot in front of Munroe. A chance from the point by Michael Sauer could not be cleared by Katic, leading to Weise's goal at 10:55.
"They tried to clear it, but the puck was just sitting there," said Weise. "I tried to get as much on it as I could and the net was empty."
Grachev came up with the game winning goal at the 15-minute mark, digging for the puck and then skating through the circle to Munroe's left before putting a shot between his legs for the 4-3 lead. Heikkinen and Sanguinetti both assisted on the goal, which gave the Wolf Pack their third straight victory.
"We just went back to working hard, putting in pucks," said Weise. "We got some good bounces."
The win raised the Wolf Pack's record to 18-13-1-4 for 41 points, and lifted them into a tie for fourth place in the AHL's Atlantic Division with Bridgeport.
Hartford will complete a three-game homestand Sunday afternoon (3:00), as they host the Syracuse Crunch at XL Center.
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