Ryan O'Marra scored the game-winning goal and Devan Dubnyk made 37 saves as the Springfield Falcons defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 in overtime Friday night at the MassMutual Center. Goaltender Martin Biron made 38 saves in his first start for the Sound Tigers to help Bridgeport earn a point and move its record to 22-21-3-6.
Viacheslav Trukhno got the Falcons off to a fast start, netting his seventh goal of the year 1:31 into the game. As Trukhno carried the puck to the net, he tried to throw a pass into the slot. However, the puck deflected off Biron's pad and landed in the back of the net, giving Springfield the lead.
Colton Fretter netted a power-play goal at the 6:57 mark of the first to make it 2-0 Falcons. Chris Minard won the initial power-play face-off directly to Fretter in the slot. Fretter quickly one-timed a shot over Biron's shoulder for his 21st goal of the year.
Tyler Haskins got Bridgeport on the board midway through the first period. Micheal Haley blasted a shot from the right point which Haskins deflected in front of the net, redirecting the puck past Dubnyk for his fifth tally of the year to bring the Sound Tigers within a goal after one period.
In a scoreless second period, Biron made several impressive saves. Midway through the frame he stacked the pads to make a sliding save on a 2-on-1 break by Geoff Paukovich. Late in the period he snagged a shot off the stick of Minard out of mid-air with a big glove save.
Trevor Smith tied the game for the Sound Tigers with 3:37 left in regulation. Greg Mauldin stole the puck in the Falcons zone and put a shot on net that went off Dubnyk's glove. Jesse Joensuu went in the corner to retrieve the rebound. He sent a pass to the front of the net where Smith jammed the puck through Dubnyk's pads to tally his 15th goal of the year.
Springfield was unable to take advantage of six minutes of power-play time in the final minutes of regulation and early in overtime. Finally, with 1:11 left in the extra session, O'Marra took a pass from Sasha Pokulok, moved to the top of the face-off circle and snapped a shot under Biron's arm to win the game for the Falcons.
The Falcons outshot the Sound Tigers 41-39. In a game that featured 38 penalty minutes, the Sound Tigers were 0-for-5 on the power-play while the Falcons were 1-for-9 with the man advantage.
The Sound Tigers return home Saturday night as they host the Manchester Monarchs. Face-off at the Arena at Harbor Yard is set for 7:00 pm. The game will feature the Sound Tigers annual Faith and Family Night, including a food drive to benefit Souper Bowl of Caring. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000.
