Sound Tigers squeak by Albany

Bridgeport outlast Albany for fourth straight win at home on Tuesday

BRIDGEPORT - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (13-6-0-0), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, outlasted the Albany Devils (12-6-1-0) on Tuesday to earn their fourth straight victory at home, a 5-4 shootout win at Webster Bank Arena.

Jon Landry scored the lone goal in a three-round shootout, while Devon Toews notched a career-best four points (four assists). Steve Bernier, Jesse Graham, Ben Holmstrom and Josh Winquist all notched regulation goals for the Sound Tigers and Eamon McAdam made 24 saves to improve to 5-0-0-0 this season.

In addition, Bridgeport moved to 6-0-0-0 beyond regulation this season and 4-0-0-0 against North Division opponents.

BOXSCORE

After a scoreless first period, Albany broke the deadlock at 1:28 of the middle frame with a power-play tally from Ben Sexton. With Bernier in the box for hooking, John Quenneville crossed into the offensive zone and slipped a diagonal pass to Sexton in the slot, where he settled it from his skate to his stick and hammered a shot past McAdam for his fourth goal of the season.

Just over four minutes later, the Devils extended their lead with Kevin Rooney’s fifth goal of the season. Following a turnover in Bridgeport’s zone, Quenneville retrieved the loose puck and fed it to Rooney in front, where he slipped it between McAdam’s pads at the 5:48 mark.

Bridgeport got one back with a power-play goal of its own at 7:50 of the second period. With Karl Stollery in the box for high-sticking, Toews fired a slap shot from the blue line that goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood couldn’t glove down, allowing Bernier to retrieve the second chance and backhand it in for his team-leading eighth goal of the season. Bernier has scored in three of his last four games.

Less than two minutes later, Bridgeport evened the contest with another power-play tally as Vojtech Mozik occupied the box for tripping. From the right point, Toews directed a pass across to Graham who let go of a slap shot, which deflected off of Sexton’s stick and past Blackwood’s blocker low against the ice. Toews and Bracken Kearns assisted on the goal scored at the 9:48 mark.

The Sound Tigers took their first lead of the game at 14:54 of the second period courtesy of Holmstrom. Toews again factored into the score sheet when he gained possession right off a faceoff and slammed a shot on goal, where it was redirected by Holmstrom at the doorstep. It was Holmstrom’s first tally of the season and fourth overall as a Sound Tiger.

The Devils bounced back in the third period and tied the game at three following a two-on-one rush. With speed down the left win, Rooney entered the offensive zone and slipped a pass across to Max Novak, who tallied the equalizer at 2:38 by beating McAdam with a quick shot high glove side.

Albany grabbed its second lead of the game with another power-play tally at the 5:50 mark. With Connor Jones in the box for boarding, Sexton and Joe Blandisi teamed up in the offensive zone before Quenneville hammered it past McAdam’s glove for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

The pendulum continued to swing at 8:59 of the third period when Winquist potted his fifth goal of the season to make it 4-4. Just as a penalty to Brandon Gormley expired, Graham forced a diagonal pass to Winquist on the right wing, where the third-year forward slapped it over Blackwood’s glove to eventually send the game to overtime.

Following the scoreless extra session, Landry became the only one of six skaters to find the back of the net in a three-round shootout. Brian Gibbons, Blake Pietila and Quenneville all missed the net, or didn’t get a shot off at all, for the Devils.

Both teams finished the game 2-for-5 on the penalty kill and Blackwood (4-4-0) made 25 saves for the visitors.

The Sound Tigers were outshot 29-28.

Next Time Out: The Sound Tigers hit the road on Friday and face the Springfield Thunderbirds with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop at MassMutual Center. Fans can follow all of the live action via the team’s online broadcast at AHLlive.com, beginning with a 6:45 p.m. pre-game show.

*Star Wars Night: The Sound Tigers are proud to present "Star Wars Night” on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will receive a free light saber at the door and a special $25 ticket package is available that includes access to the game and a movie ticket to see the new Star Wars: Rouge One film with the Sound Tigers players on December 27th. Packages must be purchased in advance by calling the team's front office at 203-345-2300, option 7, or online: ORDER ONLINE NOW (use promo code FORCE) .

For additional details or to reserve seats for any of the 2016-17 giveaway and theme nights, please call the Sound Tigers’ front office at (203) 345-2300.

Executive suites and premium seat packages are also available by calling the team’s front office at (203) 345-4841. If you are interested in group outings with your friends, family, co-workers, or clients an unforgettable experience at a discounted rate, call the group sales hotline at (203) 345-2300 Ext. 7.