Bridgeport Sound Tigers Get A Step Closer to AHL Playoffs With 4-2 Victory Against The Albany River Rats

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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the visiting Albany River Rats 4-2 before 4,537 fans at the Arena at Harbor Yard on Sunday. Bridgeport, with the win, pulled even in points with Albany as the East Division teams contend for the division's fourth and final playoff spot.

The Sound Tigers improved to 34-33-1-5 and Albany dropped to 34-33-3-3. Both teams have seven games to play, including a rematch in Albany on April 7th.

Goaltender Michael Mole, recently called up from Pensacola of the ECHL, made 31 saves, including several stellar stops, to lift the Sound Tigers. Mole made a diving effort to rob Kirk MacDonald on a first-period chance, and later denied high-scorer Keith Aucoin on back-to-back chances from point blank range.

The Sound Tigers broke open a scoreless game with three second period goals. Jason Pitton stick-handled along the goal-line and fed a pass in front to Ken Magowan who buried his second goal of the season 6:02 into the period. Newcomer David Desharnais, playing in just his second professional game, blasted home his first goal on the power play at the 9:30 mark for 2-0 Sound Tigers' advantage. The 2-0 lead quickly became a three-goal cushion when Steve Regier made it 3-0 on a short handed net-finder, his 17th goal of the season, at 10:25. Regier crashed the net and, reaching across his body with a backhanded swipe, batted a bouncing puck past Albany goalie Tyler Weiman who made the initial save on Jeff Tambellini's slap shot.

Tambellini had three assists including one on Blake Comeau's empty-netter to seal the win at 19:34 of the third. Albany had crept to within 3-2 on third period goals by Matt Murley, his 23rd at 10:21 of the third, and Ryan Bada, his 27th at 12:51.

The Sound Tigers were 1-for-4 on the power play and Albany was 1-for-6 on the power play. Weiman made 34 saves as the Sound Tigers outshot the River Rats 38-33. Forward Trevor Smith signed an ATO and made his Sound Tiger debut, joining James Sixsmith, Steve Crampton, Kyle Rank and Desharnais as newcomers this weekend.