BRIDGEPORT, CT - The Springfield Falcons took advantage of two fortuitous bounces, the first of which resulted in the game-winning goal as they defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-1 at Webster Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon. With the win, Springfield improves to 24-9-3-3 overall. The Sound Tigers fall to 19-17-2-2.
The Falcons got on the board 3:12 into the game on the power play. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault sent a shot towards the left post that was deflected perfectly by Ryan Craig across the crease. The puck came to Nick Drazenovic, who scored on the open net for his 13th goal of the season to give Springfield a 1-0 advantage.
The score remained tied into the second period, but the Sound Tigers continued to apply pressure on Springfield goaltender Paul Dainton. Bridgeport entered the zone on a 3-on-1 as Blair Riley led the rush. Riley sent a shot past Dainton in search of his fifth goal in seven games, but the puck caromed off of the far post, and the Falcons retained their lead.
Springfield then scored on the first of two wacky bounces 13:24 into the second period for its second power play goal of the game. Defenseman Wade MacLeod sent a pass through the slot, but Sound Tigers forward Scott Campbell got his stick in the passing lane to deflect the pass. However, the puck trickled slowly all the way through traffic towards the Sound Tigers net, and tapped off of the right post before sliding along the goal line. Goaltender Kevin Poulin pounced onto the puck as a scrum made its way into the crease, and referee Terry Koharski initially signaled no goal. After a review of the instant replay system, Koharski reversed his decision and awarded the goal to MacLeod and Springfield to give the visitors a two-goal lead.
The Sound Tigers were primed to cut into the deficit with a power play late in the second period, but Springfield would score shorthanded to seize momentum. Drazenovic skated the puck into the Sound Tigers zone on an odd-man rush, and defenseman Matt Donovan checked Drazenovic down and out of the play. However, the puck sat in the slot and Nick Holden fired a shot off of the crossbar and past Poulin to put Springfield ahead 3-0.
The puck bounced Springfield’s way once more midway through the third period to push the lead to four goals. Holden sent a wrist shot towards the Sound Tigers net that was headed wide. However, the puck deflected off of Chad Costello’s glove and past Poulin to give Holden his second goal of the night.
The Sound Tigers ended Dainton’s shutout bid with 29 seconds left in the game, when Jack Combs scored on a rebound on the power play for his second goal of the season.
Dainton made 28 saves to earn the win for Springfield, while Poulin stopped 22 shots in the loss.
The Sound Tigers hit the road on Friday for a two-game set in Virginia against the Norfolk Admirals. Game time on Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
NOTES: The Sound Tigers were tied in the AHL for fewest shorthanded goals (1) prior to today’s game … The Sound Tigers were 1-for-4 in the game on the power play, while the Falcons were 2-for-4 … Kevin Poulin stopped Ryan Russell on a penalty shot early in the second period after Donovan had hauled him down on a shorthanded breakaway.
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Forwards
23 – John Persson – 29 Brock Nelson – 22 Nino Niederreiter
42 Brandon DeFazio – 4 Scott Campbell – 20 Blair Riley
44 Brett Gallant – 18 Chad Costello – 5 Jack Combs
40 Mike Halmo – 16 Sean Backman
Defensemen
46 Matt Donovan – 6 Ty Wishart (A)
27 Aaron Ness – 8 Nathan McIver (A)
2 Dallas Jackson – 7 Jon Landry (A)
25 Jordan Hill
Goaltenders
38 Kevin Poulin (starter)
45 Anders Nilsson
