Worcester Drops 2-1 Decision to Bridgeport

March 15, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester IceCats News Release


WORCESTER, MA - In their final meeting of the regular season, the Worcester IceCats fell to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 last night at Worcester's Centrum Centre. Despite the loss, the 'Cats continue to hold their third place standing in the American Hockey League's (AHL) North Division and more importantly their sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, with 75 points. Through 69 games, their overall record now stands at 34-28-6-1.

After a scoreless first period, the Sound Tigers gained a 2-0 edge, which they carried into the final minutes of the third. Trent Hunter put the first goal on the board at 3:40 of the middle frame. Jason Podollan then gave Bridgeport a two goal advantage with a power play goal a little over 11 minutes later. His 25-foot blast appeared to deflect off an IceCats defender and into the Worcester net.

Marc Brown erased the Sound Tigers shutout bid late in the third and gave Worcester hope. The home team had their goaltender pulled and the Tigers had a man in the box for high sticking when Brown capped a goalmouth scramble. It was his 14th power play marker of the season, which leads the League in that category. Additionally, the goal broke an IceCats single season power play goal record.

Brown's 27th of the season was assisted by Justin Papineau and Jame Pollock and was the only one of the night for Worcester.

"We worked hard and the guys played well in front of me," said Worcester goaltender Reinhard Divis, who was named the game's third star. "As it gets closer to the playoffs, it becomes more important to win every game. We play best on the power play, but unfortunately, (the Sound Tigers) had more power play opportunities than we did."

The power play goal turned out to be the difference.

Divis turned aside 24 of 26 shots. Bridgeport netminder Steve Valiquette, named the number one star, earned the win with 38 saves.

The 'Cats travel to Manchester on Saturday to take on the Monarchs then return to Worcester's Centrum Centre on Sunday for the second game of the home-and-home series. The annual IceCats St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction will take place at that game, which begins at 5:05 PM.



American Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2002


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