Wolf Pack edges Sound Tigers
January 2, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
HARTFORD, CT -- Evgeny Grachev scored two goals, including the game-winner, and Dale Weise added a goal and an assist to lead the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 3-2 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday night at the XL Center.
Grachev put the Wolf Pack on the board early on, scoring a power-play goal 4:57 into the game. Nigel Williams faked a shot from the point and sent a pass to a wide-open Grachev at the far post who quickly re-directed it into the open side of the net for his eighth goal of the year.
The Wolf Pack had an excellent chance to extend their lead with a power-play late in the period. However, Ilkka Heikkinen rang two shots off the post, just seconds apart.
The first period featured 52 penalty minutes, including two fights between Bridgeport's Pascal Morency and Hartford's Jared Nightingale. Following the first period, there were only six minutes of penalties the rest of the game, and none in the final 33 minutes.
Trevor Smith tied the game for the Sound Tigers 1:33 into the second period. Jesse Joensuu controlled the puck behind the net and found Smith in the slot. Smith took the pass and one-timed a shot through Chad Johnson's legs for his 11th goal of the season.
Hartford's P.A. Paranteau and Corey Potter were whistled for penalties within 45 seconds of each other six minutes into the second period. The Sound Tigers took advantage of the ensuing 5-on-3 power-play to take the lead. Just 12 seconds into the two-man advantage, Mark Flood took a pass from Mark Katic and blasted a shot past Johnson and inside the left post for his third goal of the year.
The Wolf Pack controlled the play in the third period, out-shooting the Sound Tigers 8-2. Weise tied the game with 9:05 left in the third period as he picked up a loose rebound during a scrum in front of the Bridgeport net and slammed the puck through Scott Munroe's legs.
Grachev scored the game-winner with five minutes left in regulation. Grachev took a pass from Heikkinen behind the net, moved into the slot and snapped a shot through Munroe's legs to tally his ninth goal of the year and give Hartford the lead for good.
The Wolf Pack out-shot the Sound Tigers 27-25. Johnson made 23 saves to earn the victory for Hartford while Munroe stopped 24 shots in a losing effort for Bridgeport.
The Sound Tigers close out their weekend road trip Sunday afternoon when they visit the Worcester Sharks. Face-off at the DCU Center is set for 3:00 pm. The Sound Tigers next home game is Saturday, January 9th against the Springfield Falcons. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or log on to www.soundtigers.com.
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