Sound Tigers to Charlotte fall in shootout 2-1

The Sound Tigers played even with the Charlotte Checkers bringing them into a shoot out but could not get it done as the team dropped their first of two games in a row against Charlotte by the score of 2-1.

Bridgeport came out strong to start the game, throwing 13 shots in the first period towards Charlotte goaltender, Mike Murphy who had to be sharp. Murphy made 30 saves in the game. Both teams had great scoring chances, but nothing came of them. In the second, things started to pick up a bit, as a big hit was thrown in the corner by Sound Tiger D-man Benn Olsen which led to a fight between Olsen and Charlotte's Zack Fitzgerald. Olsen looked like he got the best of Fitzgerald. The Sound Tigers radio announcer said it best, "Fitzgerald is a punching bag out there at center ice!" After the fight, it would be the Sound Tigers who would draw first blood on the power play, as Jeremy Colliton got a great pass from Rob Hisey in front and directed it past Murphy to make it 1-0. However, it wouldn't last long, when on a five on three power play Charlotte tied it as Chris Terry found the rebound on the door step and made it 1-1. Not too much in the third, although Justin Taylor saved the game for Bridgeport as the puck went through the legs of Bridgeport goaltender Joel Martin and onto the goal line. Martin had 27 saves in the loss. Taylor got there just in time to pull it off the goal line and keep the score tied at one. After sixty minutes of play the score was still knotted at one and they would need overtime. Both teams had quality chances to end the game in overtime but it remand tied. In the shootout the first two shooters from both teams, Robin Figren and Rob Hisey for Bridgeport and Matthew Pistilli and and Zach Dalpe failed to score. After that, Rhett Rakhshani and Jacob MicFlickier scored to bring the shootout to 1-1. Tony Romano then failed to score while Charlotte's Chris Terry beat Joel Martin. Justin Dibenedetto couldn't beat Murphy as he shot high over the net securing the Charlotte win 2-1.

3 Stars:

1. CHA - 25 Chris Terry
2. BRI - 49 Joel Martin
3. CHA - 31 Mike Murphy

Attendance: 2554

Pre Game: Sound Tigers.vs.Charlotte Checkers

Bridgeport Sound Tigers.vs. Charlotte Checkers

7pm, Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard

The Sound Tigers look to keep their winning ways going tonight as they face off against the Charlotte Checkers tonight. This is also the first time in Sound Tiger history that Charlotte will play at Webster Bank Arena.

Facts:

Bridgeport comes into tonights game on a high note as they beat the Providence Bruins 5-1. However, it was a tough road trip for the Sound Tigers as they would go 1-4-0-1. With the win on Sunday, the Sound Tigers also snapped an eight game losing streak. They have received some much needed help from the Islanders, as goaltender Nathan Lawson and forward Justin Dibenedetto have been sent back down to Bridgeport.

Charlotte will start their own road trip tonight in Bridgeport, they will play the Sound Tigers again on Friday night, before playing Syracuse and Wilkes Barre Scranton to end the trip. The Checkers are coming off of a tough 3-1 loss to the Binghamton Senators who the Sound Tigers will play on Sunday.

History:

The Sound Tigers and the Checkers have only met twice this season and both games went to the Checkers. Charlotte has won both games by outscoring the Tigers 6-1 and 6-5. Four different goalies played in the two games. Nathan Lawson played Justin Pogge and Kevin Poulin played Mike Murphy.

Stats:

Bridgeport sits last in the league with 52 points. 13 behind the Providence Bruins for sixth in the Atlantic Division.

Charlotte is in forth in the division and right now is in the playoff race with 80 points.

Leading Scorers:

Bridgeport: Rakhshani 16 goals, Rakhshani 29 assists, Rakhshani 45 points, Haley 144 Pims, Hisey -3.

Charlotte: Samson 26 goals, Rodney 30 assists, Samson 54 points,

Fitzgerald 180 Pims, Jordan +14

We are Back!

Sorry for the time the blog has been down, last couple of months have been busy. We will be with you from now on.

Fan Support

One thing that Ive noticed over the past couple season is the lack of support the fans give the team when they are down. It's one thing to be angry or disappointed with the play of your team but to start yelling because you think someone isn't playing well is unbelievable. I realize that some people who are into hockey don't get all the things that go on and thats okay but don't yell about it if you don't get it.

For example, in the game against Portland the other night, a couple people were yelling to pull Koskinen and giving sarcastic applause when he made a save. Thats uncalled for in a game like that. Koskinen stood on his head, by the time he was pulled he had seen 41 shots and hadn't gotten any help in the game at all. Most of the time players can't hear you but on a Wednesday game with half the people they usually get there, sometimes they do. It makes it feel like it's a road game for them and which makes it that much harder to come back. Even if they can't, people who are attending the game for the first time are going to think that the the team and it's fans are terrible.

Another example is the treatment people gave Nathan Lawson. Last year he played extremely well and everyone loved him and at the start of this year he comes out and is playing well but the team isn't in front of him, but people blame and ridicule him. Now, he is playing well and people like him again. Last night in Edmonton, Lawson was pulled for two goals on defensive break downs that were not his fault. People will go on and say he played terrible or doesn't deserve to be up there or that Poulin should start ahead of him, but once he plays again and does well, everyone jumps on the band wagon and says they love him.

Some people think that the players should be able to take it, and for the most part they probably can. The fact of the matter is, it can be disturbing for other fans who appreciate the good saves, and the bad goals. Also, most people don't like coming into an environment like that. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are looking to bring in new fans and keep them. We don't want all of that work to go to waste just because we need to ridicule our own team. We're there to support, and we should be supportive. Fans need to support players and the team through the good and bad. It is just frustrating to see that some fans can't support the players and the team when they're down or not playing well, because thats the time when they need it the most.

Sound Tigers fall apart in second, lose 5-3 to Portland

The Sound Tigers lost their second straight game last night, falling to the Portland Pirates 5-3. The game was even until the second, where the Sound Tigers came out flat and left goaltender Mikko Koskinen out to dry for the rest of the game.

The first period had one of the best fights of the season so far as Micheal Haley dropped the gloves with Portland's Corey Tropp. Both combatants threw some pretty good shots, with Haley getting the take down as Tropp lost an edge. As Haley skated away he was bleeding from the left side of his face and it covered the shoulder of his jersey, The only goal in the first came from Sound Tiger defenseman Marc Katic. Katic caught a pass from Brandon Svendsen and fired one towards the net that went past a screened Enroth and into the net to make it 1-0. Shots were 9 to 8 in the period in favor of Portland.

Portland took total control of the game as the second period wore on. With Mark Wotton in the box for goaltender interference, Portland's Paul Byron found the lose puck in front of the net after a blocked shot by Wes O'Neill and put it past a splitting Koskinen and the game was tied 1-1. About a minute later Maxime Legault took a shot using a Sound Tiger defenseman as a screen that beat Koskinen to make it 2-1 Portland. Just about two minutes Svendsen intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and was off to the races. On a breakaway Svendsen was stopped but with Enroth laid out in the crease, Svendsen found the lose puck and put it in to make it 2-2. Another screen gave Portland the lead again, as Justin Bowers put one past a screened Koskinen to make it 3-2. The Sound Tigers were out played in all aspects in the second except on the scoreboard. Portland out shot the Sound Tigers 19 to 12.

In the third period, the Sound Tigers came out with good offensive pressure but still were no where to be found in their own zone. Portland came out and midway through the third, scored two goals in a four minute span. Portland's T.J. Brennan found himself all alone in front of the net as he caught a pass and put it past Koskinen to make it 4-2. Then, Mark Mancari on the power play fired one through four players and into the net, 5-2. Koskinen never had a chance on the shot. From where I sit, even with Koskinen standing at 6'7 you couldn't even see him through the maze of players. Koskinen was pulled from the game and in came Joel Martin for his first appearance with the Sound Tigers. The Sound Tigers had a last ditch effort to come back as Mark Wotton threw one to the the net from behind the goal line and hit off of Enroth's skate and in to make it 5-3, but thats as close as it would get. The Sound Tigers out shot Portland 15-13 in the third.

Kevin Poulin called up to Islanders, Could back up Lawson if DiPietro can't play

The New York Islanders have recalled goaltender Kevin Poulin from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Poulin is being called up for former Sound Tiger turned Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro. In last nights game against Calgary, DiPietro went into a split to make a save and was immediately in pain. Although he managed to keep the puck out until a whistle, he was taken out for precautionary measures and replaced by one of Poulin's goaltending buddies in Bridgeport, Nathan Lawson. DiPietro has been declared day to day with an abductor strain.

Poulin has been called up to practice with the team while DiPietro recovers. If DiPietro is not in good enough shape to back up Lawson, Poulin will dress and back him up when they play Edmonton on Thursday.

In 14 games so far this season for the Sound Tigers, Poulin has a 10-4-0 recored. Best out of the three goaltenders with the Sound Tigers. He ranks 8th in the AHL in goals against average with a 2.13 and 7th in the AHL in save percentage with a 0.931.

Brandon Svendsen signs second PTO, while Chris Blight is released

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have left winger Brandon Svendsen to a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO). This is Svendsen's second time signing a PTO with the Sound Tigers this year. When his contract expired over the weekend the Sound Tigers quickly got him to sign back. In 25 games this season with the Sound Tigers, Svendsen has 4 goals and 4 assists.

The Sound Tigers have also released right winger Chris Blight from his Professional Tryout Contract (PTO). In 13 games with the Sound Tigers Blight has 1 goal and 3 assists with 19 shots on goal.