Finn paces Sound Tigers in return to the Park City; Icemen drop Hartford 3-2

Finn with three points in Bridgeport return

HARTFORD – Matt Finn scored two goals and added an assist as the Sound Tigers won 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at the XL Center.

Finn scored the game-winner on a breakaway with 5:35 remaining after coming out of the penalty box. Ben Holmstrom found Finn with the stretch pass and Finn beat Hartford goalie Jeff Malcolm to give Bridgeport the lead for good.

It was Finn’s first game back with the Sound Tigers after being called up yesterday from the Missouri Mavericks. His first goal came on the power play and broke a 1-1 tie late in the first period, ripping a slap shot through Malcolm’s five hole to give Bridgeport the lead going into the third.

It was the Wolf Pack who got out to the early 1-0 lead just 3:25 into the first period. With a scramble in front of Bridgeport goaltender Christopher Gibson, Mat Bodie found the loose puck and backhanded a shot over Gibson’s shoulder and into the net. Bodie’s goal was the only scoring of the first period, with Hartford outshooting the Sound Tigers 13-10.

Bridgeport got one back just under four minutes into the second period on an innocent looking play. Alan Quine skated into the offensive zone and threw a soft backhander on net. Malcolm had the puck skitter under his blocker and into the net, giving the Sound Tigers their first of the game.

The Sound Tigers found themselves down a man for four minutes just seconds after the goal when Jesse Graham took a double minor for high sticking. Hartford had plenty of chances but Gibson stood tall and got some help from his defense, as Patrick Cullity made a diving play to stop Marek Hrivik who had a wide-open net.

Then Finn’s heroics helped Bridgeport to its second straight win. His three points in the game set a new career-high, as he never had a multi-point game in his AHL career coming into today’s contest.

Quine also recorded two points on the afternoon while Bracken Kearns increased his team lead in points to 49. Gibson made 26 saves for the win.

The Sound Tigers have off until Friday when they battle the Crunch up in Syracuse. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.