BRIDGEPORT, CT - Justin Azevedo scored the eventual game-winner 24 seconds into the third period as the Manchester Monarchs defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3-2 at Webster Bank Arena on Saturday night. With the win, the Monarchs improve to 27-20-0-2 overall. The loss is the first regulation defeat the Sound Tigers have suffered in 2012, snapping their 12-game point streak as they fall to 23-18-3-2.
Manchester took advantage of a power play opportunity early in the first period to grab a quick lead. Thomas Hickey’s point shot was stopped by Kevin Poulin, but the Sound Tigers were unable to clear the rebound as Poulin was down on the ice, and Marc-Andre Cliche finished to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead 5:47 into the game.
The Sound Tigers answered quickly to tie the score midway through the opening frame. Scott Howes fed the puck to Ty Wishart at the top of the Manchester zone, and the Sound Tigers defenseman sent a blast towards Martin Jones that deflected off Monarchs defenseman and in. It marked Wishart’s second tally of the season and the score was tied 1-1.
Manchester broke the tie late in the second period just after the Sound Tigers had killed two penalties. Jordan Nolan entered the Sound Tigers zone and dropped the puck to Linden Vey who snapped a shot from the right circle over Poulin’s right shoulder to give the Monarchs a 2-1 lead with 3:03 left in the middle frame.
The Sound Tigers looked to open the third period with renewed vigor after being outshot 14-4 in the second period, but it was the Monarchs who scored just 24 seconds into the final frame. Azevedo entered the zone and briefly lost the puck in a Sound Tigers’ defenseman’s skates before recovering and beating Poulin with the eventual game-winner. The Sound Tigers drew within a goal with 6:48 remaining courtesy of their all-star forward. Casey Cizikas made a move around one Monarch in the neutral zone, then broke through the defense to skate in alone on Jones. The Manchester netminder made the initial save, but Micheal Haley knocked the rebound home to make the score 3-2. However, the Sound Tigers could not find the equalizer with Poulin pulled in the final moments, and the Monarchs came away with the win.
The Sound Tigers return to action next Saturday night when they host the Springfield Falcons at 7:00 p.m.
