Author Archives: ianbethune

Napier Shoots Huskies Past Bulls In OT, 69-64

Shabazz Napier had a chance to win to the game for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team in regulation but his shot clanked off the rim. In overtime against the South Florida Bulls, he made sure his team emerged victorious.

UConn guard Shabazz Napier goes in for two of his game-high 24 points as the Huskies came back for a 69-64 victory in OT against USF at Gampel Pavilion Sunday afternoon Napier had 11 points in overtime, including three three-pointers, to help UConn to a 69-64 win over South Florida in front of 9,205 at Gampel Pavilion on Sunday afternoon.

The Huskies improve to 15-5 (5-3 Big East). The visiting Bulls fall to 10-11 (1-8).

Napier had finished regulation with 13 points but led all scorers in the game with 24 points and led the Huskies with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Ryan Boatright was the only other Husky in double-digits with 17 points. The next highest scorers were Omar Calhoun with seven and DeAndre Daniels with six.

Toarlyn Fitzpatrick paced the Bulls with a double-double of 22 points and 10 points, which included five three-pointers. Victor Rudd added 12 points and five rebounds while Anthony Collins had 10 points.

The first half for the Huskies wasn't pretty folks, not by a longshot. You were probably surprised they even won this game after scoring just 15 points in the first half. Yes just 15 points.

They were just 5-of-27 (18.5%) in the first half from the floor and found themselves down 27-15. While they didn't shoot much better in the second half, 9-of-26 (34.6%), they got right back in the game to start it.

UConn started out the half on a 15-2 run and took the lead on a Boatright three-pointer at 30-27. The game stayed relatively close the rest of the second half with neither team able to seize control.

Trailing by one with 40 seconds left, Napier hit two free throws to give the Huskies a one point lead at 50-49. After a turnover by South Florida, Boatright was fouled and had a chance to give the Huskies a three-point lead. Instead, he missed his first free throw but his second.

Collins was able to tie the game up with 12 seconds left on a layup setting up the stage for UConn to win the game in regulation. As we already know, that didn't happen.

UConn was able to take control of the game in overtime as Napier started it off with two three-pointers and they never looked back.

Good win for the Huskies because honestly after that miserable first half, I really thought they had no chance of winning this game. Whatever head coach Kevin Ollie said worked though as they responded back.

Once again, it was a win after their character was tested and they showed the heart of a champion in coming back quickly and battling for the win.

The Huskies are back in action on Wednesday night when they visit the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, for a matchup with the St. John's Red Storm. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

South Florida Bulls @ UConn Huskies 2.3.13 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: john woike – hartford courant (no. 14 in gallery)

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/3

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they'll host the South Florida Bulls at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast locally here in Connecticut on SNY. The game is also available online at WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

Huskies Figure On Being In The Zone Again Vs. South Florida [dom amore – hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie: UConn is 'Learning How to Win' [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from Feb. 2: “One thing I can testify with this group is they’re learning how to win.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Running toward the Bulls [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

UConn men to face another zone defense in South Florida [ct post]

UConn Sees Patience As Key Against Bulls' Defense [hartford courant]

Huskies look to carry momentum into game against South Florida [new haven register]

Ollie says this UConn team is learning what it takes to win [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

Strong stretch drive gets UConn past St. John’s [carl adamec -snyuconn.com]

UConn survives without Dolson; Banks injured [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Notebook: Hartley looking for shot of confidence [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Geno Not Sure How Badly Banks Is Hurt [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn Reaches Three-Point Milestone [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Imagine UConn Without Stefanie Dolson? No Thanks [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn Says Banks Update Coming Monday [john altavilla – hartford courant]

No Further Update On The Condition Of Banks’ Knee [rich elliott – ct post]

Loss Of Dolson Created A Big Void For Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]

Big Second Half By Faris Provided A Big Boost For Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]

Huskies win an ugly one [jim fuller – new haven register]

Banks to have an MRI on Monday [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn women win a tight one over St. John's [ct post]

UConn women show resiliency in victory [ct post]

Mosqueda-Lewis' growth shows against St. John's [ct post]

Ailing UConn Women Barely Get By Red Storm On The Road [hartford courant]

Banks Injured; Teams Awaits Diagnosis [hartford courant]

Huskies hang on to beat St. John's without Stefanie Dolson [new haven register]

UConn Football links

RB Laray Smith Doesn’t Make Visit But Chris Britton And Jalen Branford Do [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Report: LB Chris Britton commits to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Other UConn related links

W. Swimming. Women's Swimming And Diving Falls To Dartmouth [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Swimming. Men's Swimming And Diving Falls To Dartmouth [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Flowers & Mania Lead Huskies at Armory Collegiate Invite [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Track. Cummings Leads Huskies to Second Place Finish at Sykes & Sabock Challenge Cup [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Men's Hockey Falls at RIT, 7-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Defeated in Overtime at Providence, 4-3 [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Springfield Falcons 3, Connecticut Whale 2

By Wil Goldsholl

Hartford, CT, February 2, 2013 – In the eighth round of battle between the Connecticut Whale and the Springfield Falcons, the team from north of the border emerged victorious. Before a crowd of 13,239, the second-largest XL Center crowd in franchise history, Springfield took down Connecticut 3-2 on Saturday, and gained a 5-3-0-0 edge in the “I-91” series for the 2012-2013 season. Goals from Brandon Mashinter and J.T. Miller in the third could not overcome the Springfield scores from earlier in the game.

CT Whale Connecticut jumped out to an early shot advantage when Cody Goloubef was penalized for hooking at 2:02 of the first period. Connecticut saw their fair share of chances after the power play ended.

Shortly thereafter, Springfield goaltender Curtis McElhinney, who leads the league with six shutouts, got tied up with teammate Greg Amadio as Mashinter got dumped in front when the puck came to him.

Springfield opened scoring at 8:09, when Dylan Prout and Goloubef broke the puck out. Tomas Kubalik streaked down the left wing and jammed the puck towards Whale netminder Cam Talbot’s stick side. The puck took a favorable roll and found its way to the top corner of the net, earning Kubalik his 12^th goal of the year.

The physicality that had been developing early hit a breaking point near the midway mark of the period, with Dylan McIlrath and Tim Spencer dropping the gloves following some chippiness in the corner.

Wade MacLeod took a roughing penalty for Springfield at 11:28 and Connecticut’s power play, which was zero for three on the night, was completely stalled, earning no shots.

After Connecticut killed a Micheal Haley slashing minor with just under five to play in the first, Christian Thomas showed off some puckhandling on the circle and made his way cross-crease, only to be buried by Will Weber behind the net. Jason Wilson came in to drop the gloves with Weber with 1:27 on the clock. Head coach Ken Gernander said afterwards, “I like the way we played tonight… the way guys stuck up for one another among lots of other positives.” Wilson was called for roughing on the play in addition to his and Weber’s fighting majors.

Before the first expired, Nick Drazenovic, who earned Second-Star honors, catalyzed a flurry of chances that Talbot turned away, and Michael Chaput got his stick in Haley’s face with 28.8 on the clock. Four on four play would roll over in to the second, with Springfield leading 1-0.

After the short four on four and an abbreviated Whale power play, Amadio got involved with Andrew Carroll, taking exception to a scrum resulting from a big McElhinney stop on Kelsey Tessier.

Talbot stopped MacLeod on a big try from the slot, and McElhinney came up with yet another quality save in reply when Kris Newbury made a beauty of a cross-ice feed to Tessier.

Segal got called for high-sticking at 11:50, and Prout drew a hooking call on Collins 76 seconds later. With a five on three opportunity, Nick Holden went inside out with Goloubef at the point and Goloubef took a shot that Talbot seemed to lose in traffic. At 13:29, the Falcons had a 2-0 lead on Goloubef’s fourth goal of the season. The teams would exchange a few more chances before the second intermission, but both goaltenders held their ground.

Christian Thomas went to the box for high-sticking on MacLeod at 4:11 to start the third, and Drazenovic wasted no time earning his season’s 15^th. Getting assists from captain Ryan Craig and MacLeod, the Prince George, BC native Drazenovic finished near the crease.

Haley and Prout dropped the gloves not long after the score for the fourth bout of the night, and the huge XL Center crowd was on its feet.

Connecticut’s offense picked up in the third, coming close on a scrum in front of the Springfield goal when McElhinney got spun around with his back out to the play.

Springfield held off the Whale for a few more minutes, until Tessier slung a long breakout pass to Mashinter. Mashinter came flying into the slot and pulled the trigger, beating the Colorado College product McElhinney over the glove hand. The Whale got on the board at 9:50, as Mashinter continues his streak of strong offensive production on home ice since joining the team. “We battled pretty hard tonight, kept those guys to the outside,” said Mashinter after the game. “We were definitely feeding off the crowd, it’s nice to see a good turnout.”

The Whale earned still more chances as time went by. After applying some steady zone pressure, Miller capitalized when Segal dug the puck out from behind the net. With a blind backhand feed, Segal connected with Miller for his eighth at 11:23; Kyle Jean was awarded the secondary assist. Miller reflected the sentiments of his teammates and coaches, saying, “We played well, battled. We just couldn’t score. We came together in the third and if we play like that the rest of the year we’ll win a lot more hockey games.”

Logan Pyett turned the puck over to Drazenovic in the slot and Talbot came up with two timely stops at the 7:30 mark, and McElhinney again answered with a big right-leg save when Thomas took a try from the circle.

Trailing by two, Blake Parlett nailed the crossbar with five minutes to play, and had another chance in the slot with three and a half on the clock.

Talbot left the ice with one minute left, allowing Segal to join Newbury, Miller and Tessier on the offense. Mike Vernace put in a great hustle for icing with 9.2 on the clock to earn the Whale another offensive-zone draw, and Parlett did the same with 2.7 seconds left. Thomas cranked a shot off the final draw but could not manage the tying goal.

Talbot stopped 30 of 33 Springfield tries, while McElhinney picked up his 19^th win turning away 33 of 35.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KsaCcy-9bXY?rel=0

Springfield Falcons 3 at Connecticut Whale 2

Saturday, February 2, 2013 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Springfield 1 1 1 – 3
Connecticut 0 0 2 – 2

1st Period-1, Springfield, Kubalik 12 (Goloubef, Prout), 8:09. Penalties-Goloubef Spr (hooking), 2:02; Spencer Spr (fighting), 10:43; McIlrath Ct (fighting), 10:43; MacLeod Spr (roughing), 11:28; Haley Ct (slashing), 15:18; Weber Spr (fighting), 18:33; Wilson Ct (roughing, fighting), 18:33; Chaput Spr (high-sticking), 19:31.

2nd Period-2, Springfield, Goloubef 4 (Holden, Drazenovic), 13:29 (PP). Penalties-Amadio Spr (fighting), 2:03; Carroll Ct (fighting), 2:03; Segal Ct (high-sticking), 11:50; Collins Ct (holding), 13:06.

3rd Period-3, Springfield, Drazenovic 15 (Craig, MacLeod), 4:32 (PP). 4, Connecticut, Mashinter 5 (Tessier, Parlett), 9:50. 5, Connecticut, Miller 8 (Segal, Jean), 11:23. Penalties-Thomas Ct (high-sticking), 4:11; Prout Spr (fighting), 4:53; Haley Ct (fighting), 4:53.

Shots on Goal-Springfield 13-10-10-33. Connecticut 9-12-14-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Springfield 2 / 5; Connecticut 0 / 3.
Goalies-Springfield, McElhinney 19-7-2 (35 shots-33 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 15-19-0 (33 shots-30 saves).
A-13,239
Referees-T.J. Luxmore (49), Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Marty Demers (79), Luke Galvin (2).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Whale Draw Second-Largest Crowd in Franchise History

HARTFORD, February 2, 2013: AEG Management CT announced that the second largest crowd in Connecticut Whale franchise history was established tonight against the Springfield Falcons at the XL Center. The crowd of 13,239 represents the most fans to view a Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack game at the XL Center in 15 years. Saturday’s attendance was also the fifth-largest crowd in an AHL building this season.

CT Whale “We are extremely grateful to the hockey fans of Connecticut, and tremendously proud of this landmark accomplishment,” said AEG Management CT senior vice-president and general manager Chuck Steedman. “Our sales crew works tirelessly to market the excitement of Whale hockey, and the response tonight was truly over the top. This is a genuine statement about what a large fan base there is here for the sport, and we are confident that the amazing level of excitement in the building tonight will bring many of those fans back for more.”

New York Rangers assistant general manager/Whale GM Jim Schoenfeld commented, “Having an XL Center filled with supportive fans creates a terrific hockey environment for our players. Congratulations to Chuck Steedman and his staff for the vision and effort that went into making this event a great success. We are grateful to the many fans who came out tonight with special thanks to those who have supported our team over the years.”

Whale head coach Ken Gernander added, “The atmosphere in the building tonight was incredible. You can’t help but be pumped up to play in front of a crowd like that, and I know it gave our guys a big lift to come out and see the stands full. This is a great city to play and coach in, and it was very gratifying to see so many fans turn out for an important game against one of our big rivals.”

AEG Management CT and the Whale thank Saturday evening’s major sponsors, Aetna, The Hartford, Cigna and St. Francis Hospital, whose support was vital to the night’s success. Also, several large groups combined to account for more than 4,400 tickets sold to Saturday night. Those include: the Connecticut Rivers Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, the Town of West Hartford and the 20^th American Gymnastics Invitational.

Following are the ten largest XL Center crowds in Whale/Wolf Pack franchise history at the XL Center:

1. 14,115 – January 24, 1998 vs. Springfield Falcons

2. 13,239 – February 2, 2013 vs. Springfield Falcons

3. 13,098 – November 27, 2010 vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (first game as CT Whale)

4. 12,934 – October 4, 1997 vs. Portland Pirates (first-ever franchise home opener)

5. 12,513 – October 7, 2000 vs. Providence Bruins (Calder Cup banner-raising)

6. 12,285 – January 22, 2000 vs. Providence Bruins

7. 12,206 – January 6, 2006 vs. Portland Pirates

8. 12,125 – June 2, 2000 vs. Rochester Americans (Game Five of Calder Cup Finals)

9. 12,069 – January 26, 2002 vs. Albany River Rats

10. 11,527 – February 28, 1998 vs. Syracuse Crunch

The Whale are right back in action at the XL Center this Tuesday night, February 5, wrapping up a six-game homestand against the Albany Devils. Faceoff is 7:00 PM.

Tickets to all Whale home games start as low as $10 each ($12 each when tickets are purchased on the day of the game), and are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

For information on season seats, and all of the Whale’s many ticketing options, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 548-2000 to talk with an account executive today.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: Chris Rutsch

Video: UConn Women Survive Test From St. John’s, 71-65

I'm pretty sure that UConn Huskies women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma is glad he has Kelly Faris on his team. Because if he didn't, there's a chance that his team might have suffered it's second loss of the season.

Kelly Faris Faris came up huge late with five straight points to help UConn seize control of the game as they held on to win 71-65 over the St. John's Red Storm in front of 2,158 at Lou Carnesecca Arena in Queens, NY on Saturday afternoon.

It's the 20th win of the season for the Huskies as they improve to 20-1 (7-1 Big East). The Red Storm fall to 10-10 (4-4).

Remember folks, St. John's came into Gampel Pavilion last year and ended UConn's 99 game home winning streak on UConn's Senior Day. It ended a bunch of other streaks as well.

The Huskies were playing shorthanded as they were without Stefanie Dolson who was battling flu-like symptoms. They also lost Brianna Banks to knee injury during the game. It was announced as a knee sprain and we won't speculate as to the severity of the injury.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis led the Huskies with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Faris added 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Despite shooting 3-for-13 from the floor, Bria Hartley finished with 10 points.

Kiah Stokes made her first career start for Dolson and had seven points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Shenneika Smith led all scorers in the game with 21 points for the Johnnies. Aliyyah Handford added 17 points while Briana Brown had 16 points.

Amber Thompson led the Red Storm with eight rebounds to go along with four points.

It's not too often we have to see the Huskies work hard for 40 minutes. That usually happens when they have play a highly ranked team not one that was entering the game at 10-9.

St. John's led for the first part of the first half until a Banks layup gave them the lead at 18-17. A KML three and Breanna Stewart free throw gave the Huskies a five point lead. They would work their lead to eight at 32-24 but St. John's closed out the half on a 11-3 run to enter the locker room tied at 35.

St. John's started off the half on a 10-4 run before the Huskies responded back with a 7-0 run to grab a one-point lead. The Red Storm went back out in front again but UConn once again rallied and took the lead on a Faris three.

The Red Storm tied it up at 57 but KML went on a personal 7-0 run to help the Huskies take control off the game. Faris added a three to ice the game at the end.

The injury to Banks is concerning as she's been give the Huskies some great minutes off the bench this season. If she's lost for the season, Moriah Jefferson will need to step up.

While it wasn't a good win for the Huskies, it was a win. It was also a great learning for the team especially the younger players who haven't had to face that much adversity yet.

UConn gets back on the court on Tuesday when they'll host the Marquette Golden Eagles at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

UConn Huskies @ St. John's Red Storm 2-2-13 box score

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: ap photo (no. 5 in gallery)

Video: Caron Butler Fakes Out Jonas Valanciunas With High Five

Check out out what former UConn Husky and current Los Angeles Clippers small forward Caron Butler did to Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas in the Clippers loss last night.

The Clippers were trailing by 27 points when he did this by the way.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=L0c11p9UQLQ?rel=0

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/2

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team as they are in NYC for a matchup with the St. John's Red Storm. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on SNY. The game is also available online at WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

Connecticut native welcomes UConn visit [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UConn has 20-20 vision going to St. John’s [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Heather Buck Says She Has No Regrets About Anything [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Huskies Pleased At This Point, But Looking For More From Bench [rich elliott – ct post]

Auriemma Gives Hartley A Vote Of Confidence [rich elliott – ct post]

Time for Stewart and Tuck to emerge for UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Triple-double for Maya Moore [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 3 UConn Travels to St. John's on Saturday [uconnhuskies.com]

WBB Championship Individual Session Tickets On Sale Now [bigeast.org]

UConn's reserves need to pick up their game [ct post]

Kelly Faris Likely To Be Next To Carry Dominant UConn Brand Into WNBA [hartford courant]

UConn Has Placed Many Players In WNBA Since 1997 [hartford courant]

Huskies plan to get Stewart, Tuck more time together on court [new haven register]

UConn women visit St. John's today [the day]

No. 1 sophomore Asia Durr is a born leader [espnW]

The Geno Auriemma Show (10PM) features former all-American and UConn assistant Shea Ralph. [snyuconn.com]

UConn Men's Basketball links

The Difference is Daniels… [kevin duffy – ct post]

Providence: The day after [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Men's Basketball Takes On USF On Sunday [uconnhuskies.com]

Not Pretty, But Fun [hartford courant]

Again, Ollie Has Huskies Carrying Themselves Well [hartford courant]

Three Points from Thursday's win over Providence [new haven register]

UConn Football links

DC answered a couple of questions in his mailbag [desmond conner – hartford courant]

RB Laray Smith, OL Chasz Wright Among Visitors To UConn This Weekend, Jordan Fuchs Coming In, Too [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Former UConn WR in all-star game tomorrow [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn commit honored to play for Team USA [jim fuller – new haven register]

Linebacker Graham Stewart's Long Road To Second Chance At UConn [hartford courant]

UConn's Recruits [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Track. UConn Heads to Sykes & Sabock Challenge Cup [uconnhuskies.com]

CPIA. Two Huskies Recognized with NCAS and Scholar-Baller National Academic Momentum Award [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Former Reid Standout Mike Petke Named Head Coach Of New York Red Bulls [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Huskies Complete First Day of Armory Collegiate Invite [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Women's Hockey Shutout in Skating Strides Game to Providence [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Take Two Points With 3-1 Victory At RIT [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5, Connecticut Whale 4 (OT)

By Wil Goldsholl

Hartford, CT, February 1, 2013 – Close but no cigar for the Connecticut Whale on Friday night in Hartford; the home team fell to in-state rival Bridgeport Sound Tigers by a count of 5-4 in overtime. Connecticut was solid for two periods, picking up goals from Kelsey Tessier and Brandon Segal, as well as Mike Vernace and Blake Parlett, the blueliners who have made a sudden yet apparent impact on the scoresheet.

CT Whale Early in the first, the Whale were sharp; Dylan McIlrath kept the puck in the zone and ultimately found Andrew Yogan. Yogan fed J.T. Miller behind the net and Miller, whose performance has seemingly improved after winning World Junior gold, found Tessier in the slot to get on the board 38 seconds in .

Newcomer Andrew Carroll, up with Connecticut on a PTO from the ECHL Idaho Steelheads, got his stick tangled in Bridgeport’s Matt Donovan’s jersey on the Sound Tigers’ right hash mark. He sat for hooking at 3:13, but the Whale penalty kill unit filled the middle and allowed just one shot. Bridgeport would ultimately finish one for two on the power play.

Connecticut stretched the lead to 2-0 when Vernace fed Kris Newbury on a break-in. Newbury slid the puck across to Segal, who fired short-side from the half boards on Bridgeport backstop Kevin Poulin. Segal’s 13^th of the year came at 5:41.

Bridgeport replied when Kirill Kabanov fed a puck down the wall to Donovan, who steered it right towards the net. Despite being well covered, Matt Watkins got a stick to the inside and tipped it behind Cam Talbot for his eighth goal on the season.

Nathan McIver earned his 193^rd penalty minute of the season with an interference minor at 10:29, but the Whale failed to convert. Poulin made one tremendous save on the kill effort, lunging to protect against a Brandon Mashinter backhand. With 65 seconds left in the period, Poulin made his 10^th save of the game, and the period would end with Connecticut leading 2-1 with an 11-6 shooting advantage.

Twenty-two seconds in to the second, the puck rolled around the half boards of the Sound Tigers’ offensive zone. Ty Wishart collected at the point and stepped to the middle, shooting and getting help from Blair Riley. Riley would tip the puck in the slot for his fifth of the year to tie it up at two.

There would be one fight on the night; after a great deal of jawing back and forth, Mashinter and McIver dropped the gloves right off a faceoff in the Bridgeport defensive end. The two swung heavy fists and sat for fighting at 3:54.

Mark Cantin got his stick in the face of a crashing Tessier two and a half minutes later and it would cost Bridgeport a goal. Vernace let fly a long outlet to Michael Haley, who broke in and pulled a wrister past Poulin at 7:24. Vernace now has six points in the last four games.

Connecticut turned up the pressure midway through regulation. Miller had a lone chance on another long Vernace feed, and several other forwards took turns with quick one-timer tries.

With just over four to play in the second, Brock Nelson pulled the puck from behind the net to the corner and found Connecticut native Sean Backman. Backman made a quick handle and gave to Jack Combs who potted his own rebound on a dead-angle walk. The game was tied at three apiece.

Bridgeport took a penalty late for too many men and Blake Parlett, who has also has generated some offensive production lately, bagged a one-timer with 25.5 on the clock. Miller faked a slapshot and dished it across to the Bracebridge, Ontario product Parlett for his fourth of the year. Christian Thomas was awarded a secondary assist. The Whale took the 4-3 lead in to the second intermission.

The third opened with a quick Bridgeport flurry of shots. Coach Ken Gernander went on to say in the post-game, “We should have had the upper hand, we were fresh and we didn’t finish. We’re looking for full 60-minute games, not 40 or 52… you’ll see ebb and flow throughout games but you have to generate your own momentum.”

And that’s what Bridgeport would do. Slow and steady pressure from the division rivals earned them seven shots in the first four minutes, to just one for Connecticut.

Newbury found himself in the box at 5:03 for flipping the puck over his defensive glass. On the ensuing man-up, Aaron Ness shot the puck in to traffic from the bench-side point. The puck popped up in the air and John Persson was there to finish at 7:10 with his season’s 15^th. The goal was Bridgeport’s 10^th shot of the period.

Wishart was called for interference 38 seconds after the score, but the Whale power play was highly unsuccessful this time, producing only one shot. The special teams unit finished two for four.

Newbury had time near Poulin’s crease with four minutes to play, but could not seem to get around the 22-year-old netminder, in a moment where all 5,000 in attendance were holding their breath.

Connecticut stayed in the game despite being outshot 18-7 in the third.

The extra period opened with Watkins having a chance on Cam Talbot’s doorstep and Nelson batting the puck at his own goal 92 seconds in, but at 1:57 the teams left the ice when Backman got assists from Persson and Jon Landry for a 5-4 Bridgeport win. Poulin finished with 32 saves on 36 shots against, while Talbot had another busy night holding off 36 of 41.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5 (OT) at Connecticut Whale 4
Friday, February 1, 2013 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Bridgeport 1 2 1 1 – 5
Connecticut 2 2 0 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Tessier 8 (Miller, Yogan), 0:38. 2, Connecticut, Segal 13 (Newbury, Vernace), 5:41. 3, Bridgeport, Watkins 8 (Donovan, Kabanov), 7:41. Penalties-Carroll Ct (hooking), 3:13; McIver Bri (interference), 10:29.

2nd Period-4, Bridgeport, Riley 5 (Wishart), 0:22. 5, Connecticut, Haley 5 (Vernace), 7:24 (PP). 6, Bridgeport, Combs 3 (Nelson, Backman), 15:49. 7, Connecticut, Parlett 4 (Miller, Thomas), 19:34 (PP). Penalties-McIver Bri (fighting), 3:54; Mashinter Ct (fighting), 3:54; Cantin Bri (high-sticking), 6:19; served by Niederreiter Bri (bench minor – too many men), 19:18.

3rd Period-8, Bridgeport, Persson 15 (Ness, Wishart), 7:10 (PP). Penalties-Newbury Ct (delay of game), 5:33; Wishart Bri (interference), 7:48.

OT Period-9, Bridgeport, Backman 5 (Persson, Landry), 1:57. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 6-13-18-4-41. Connecticut 11-17-7-1-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 1 / 2; Connecticut 2 / 4.
Goalies-Bridgeport, Poulin 13-10-3 (36 shots-32 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 15-18-0 (41 shots-36 saves).
A-4,952
Referees-Dave Lewis (46).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Kevin Redding (16).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Report: Red Sox Sign Lyle Overbay to Minor League Deal

Lyle Overbay #37 of the Arizona Diamondbacks makes a play on a ground ball against the Houston Astros at Chase Field on July 22, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.

According to multiple media reports, the Boston Red Sox have signed 1B Lyle Overbay to a minor league deal with an invite for spring training.

Overbay will compete for the chance to backup Mike Napoli at first base. He'd also provide the team some insurance should Napoli's hip issues become a problem.

He split his time last season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves where he he hit a combined .259 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 65 games.

Overbay's had good success at Fenway Park throughout his career. In 43 games, he's hitting .323 with four home runs and 31 RBIs.

This is a good depth signing for GM Ben Cherington. A veteran presence on the bench and more importantly, a lefty bat off that bench should he make the team.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: getty images