Sound Tigers fall to Portland 3-1

The Sound Tigers had their first game away from The Arena at Harbor Yard tonight and it didn't go as well as planned, as they lost 3-1 in a penalty filled game.

The first period started off with a bang, literally. Micheal Haley dropped the gloves with Portland's Tim Conboy, both would receive five minutes each for fighting. Bridgeport would jump out to an early 1-0 lead when Portland's Correy Tropp took an interference penalty. Bridgeport's defenseman, Travis Hamonic took the puck off the a face off, won by Rob Hisey and rocketed one from the point past Portland's goaltender Jhonas Enroth. It didn't take very long to answer right back. On a delayed penalty to the Sound Tigers Jean Bourbeau, Portland's Derek Whitmore scored to make it 1-1. In a period that saw seven penalties, the Sound Tigers would go on a late power play. In they dying seconds of the first on the power play Rhett Rakhshani almost gave the Tigers the lead as he put one past Enroth but he hit the post. The period would end with the score 1-1. Bridgeport had 12 shots in the period and Portland had 5.

With the start of the second period came a continued power play for the Sound Tigers. Although there were a couple of good chances on the power play, nothing would get past Enroth. This is where Sound Tigers goalie Kevin Poulin, who got his first pro start tonight, really started to shine. Poulin made a good save on a two on one and just minutes later made one of the best saves of the year so far as he made a save with the rebound popping out to his blocker side where it was put back on to the net. Poulin hit the puck out of the air with the paddle of his stick, making a great save. With the game going back and forth with chances at either end, Bridgeport Micheal Haley and Portland's Dennis McCauley dropped the mits. McCauley got the better of Haley in the fight throwing a couple good right hands before getting Haley's jersey over his head, this gave the linesman reason to break it up. The second would see nine penalties, three for Bridgeport and six for Portland. There was a lot of action during this time including Travis Hamonic leveled Luke Adam (sending Adam to the Portland locker room), Dustin Kohn was robbed in front by Enroth, and Justin DiBenedetto made two great moves getting into the zone to get David Ullstrom a one timer in the slot. However, none of these chances would result in goals. Portland would get an offensive burst as the period ended as with 15 seconds left Portland's Mark Mancari took a great pass from Matt Ellis and got one right inside the post for a 2-1 lead. Only 13 seconds later Portland's Dennis McCauley tipped one past Poulin a shot by Mancari with 2.6 seconds left. The period would end with the score 3-1 Portland. Portland had 12 shots in the second to the Sound Tigers 9.

Early in the third period both teams played very well defensively, but the Sound Tigers had a tough time getting any continuous pressure in the Portland zone. The game stayed physical as Katic wet off for boarding, after he got out of the box he demolished Portland's Luke Adam in the corner. Then Robin Figren bumped into Enroth sending both players to the ice and sending Portland down on a 3 on 1. Poulin made a great save to keep the game close. He made a flurry of saves on the following play including a great diving save. After the save, a Portland player gave a jab to Poulin so defenseman Mark Katic got in there to stick up for his goalie. The Sound Tigers chance to come back in the game was pretty much squashed as Katic was given a two minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct for pulling the Portland player away from Poulin. Upset with the call Katic argued all the way to the box, so much so he was given another two minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. The only chance the Sound Tigers had was with 36 seconds to go in the game when Portland got a penalty for delay of game. The Sound Tigers took a time out to talk the plan over and with the goalie pulled and a man up the Sound Tigers had a 6 on 4 advantage. With the two man advantage the Tigers still could not get a goal as the horn sounded to end the game. Shots in the period were for 9 for Portland and 7 for Bridgeport.

3 Stars:

#1-Mark Mancari-POR

#2- Dennis McCauley-POR

#3- Jhonas Enroth-POR

Honorable Mention- Tomas Marcinko-BST- Had a great night in the face off circle

Travis Hamonic-BST-Scored his first pro goal

Shots:

Bridgeport:28

Portland:28

Starting Line-ups:

Bridgeport/Portland

#38-Kevin Poulin-G/#1-Jhonas Enroth-G

#2-Dylan Reese-D/Not Available-D

#4-Mark Wotton-D/Not Available-D

#12-Tomas Marcinko-C/Not Available-C

#18-Micheal Haley-LW/Not Available-LW

#23-Robin Figern-RW/Not Available-RW