Bridgeport, CT, November 15, 2014 – Defenseman Ryan Pulock scored a pair of power-play goals Saturday night at the Webster Bank Arena, to lead the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 5-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack and a sweep of a home-and-home series between the AHL’s two Connecticut teams.
In the first meeting between the two clubs, Friday night in Hartford, the Sound Tigers rolled to a 6-1 win.
Chris Langkow also scored for Bridgeport, Mike Halmo had the game-winner, and Colin McDonald added an empty-net goal. Kael Mouillierat and Aaron Ness had two assists apiece. Chris McCarthy and Danny Kristo scored for the Wolf Pack.
The two teams traded goals in the first period, with the Wolf Pack taking their first lead of the two games on McCarthy’s first AHL goal of the season.
Nick Tarnasky backhanded the puck toward the net from the left-wing side, and it dropped down in front of the goal for McCarthy to punch in from in the goalmouth.
The Sound Tigers replied at 14:21, off of a faceoff. Bridgeport won a draw to the right of Wolf Pack goaltender Mackenzie Skapski (24 saves), who stopped a shot from the left side of the slot by Brett Gallant, but the Wolf Pack lost track of Langkow. Left alone in front of Skapski, Langkow poked the rebound of Gallant’s shot into the net for a 1-1 tie.
The Wolf Pack carried much of the play in the second period, outshooting the Sound Tigers 13-5, but Bridgeport got the only goal of the frame. It came on a power play at 12:42, with Oscar Lindberg in the penalty box for holding.
Pulock and Ness exchanged the puck on the points, with Ness finding Pulock at the top of the slot. Pulock gunned a hard slapshot that got by Skapski low on the stick side.
Leading 2-1 going into the third period, Bridgeport got the eventual game-winner at 3:59 of the final stanza.
Adam Pelech’s dump-in came off the left-wing corner boards and deflected across the slot, and Mouillierat tipped it in front of the goal to Halmo, who was able to put a quick shot past Skapski.
The Wolf Pack power play got that goal back at 6:40, on Kristo’s fourth goal of the season. Mat Bodie passed to Kristo on the left boards, and Kristo moved to the top of the circle before firing a shot that hit the top of Sound Tiger goalie David Leggio’s catching glove and found its way into the net.
The Wolf Pack got into penalty trouble after that, though, as Bridgeport was awarded four straight power plays. The Sound Tigers capitalized twice to put the game away.
First, at 11:57 with Lindberg off for cross-checking, Pulock scored his second of the game. Set up at the right point by Mouillierat, Pulock unloaded a low shot that Skapski got a piece of, but could not prevent from going through his five-hole.
Then, after Dallas Jackson was called for slashing with two minutes left, the Wolf Pack pulled Skapski for an extra attacker, only to see Alan Quine set up McDonald in front of the net for a tap-in at 18:43, to make it a 5-2 final.
Leggio made 25 saves to get the win for Bridgeport, and Skapski suffered his first career AHL loss, falling to 3-1-0 on the season.
The Wolf Pack complete a busy weekend at home Sunday, hosting the Manchester Monarchs at the XL Center at 3:00 PM. That is the next chance for fans to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Packs”, which feature two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for only $35. Also, the Wolf Pack’s food drive, which benefits Foodshare, continues at Sunday’s game. Fans are encouraged to bring canned goods to the game, and any fan donating five or more cans will receive a voucher for a free ticket to an upcoming Wolf Pack game of their choice.
Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the XL Center ticket office, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
Hartford Wolf Pack 2 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5
Saturday, November 15, 2014 – Webster Bank Arena
Hartford 1 0 1 – 2
Bridgeport 1 1 3 – 5
1st Period-1, Hartford, McCarthy 1 (McIlrath, Tarnasky), 5:10. 2, Bridgeport, Langkow 3 (Gallant), 14:21. Penalties-Courtnall Bri (high-sticking), 6:51; Kristo Hfd (holding), 11:08.
2nd Period-3, Bridgeport, Pulock 4 (Ness, Zolnierczyk), 12:42 (PP). Penalties-Crabb Hfd (tripping), 0:08; Halmo Bri (roughing), 0:08; Zolnierczyk Bri (goaltender interference), 4:26; Lindberg Hfd (holding), 12:01; Mouillierat Bri (roughing), 16:19; Allen Hfd (hooking), 19:48.
3rd Period-4, Bridgeport, Halmo 4 (Mouillierat, Pelech), 3:59. 5, Hartford, Kristo 4 (Bodie, Miller), 6:40 (PP). 6, Bridgeport, Pulock 5 (Mouillierat, Ness), 11:57 (PP). 7, Bridgeport, McDonald 4 (Quine, Persson), 18:43 (PP EN). Penalties-Gillies Bri (elbowing), 6:28; R. Bourque Hfd (hooking), 7:47; Pulock Bri (tripping), 8:50; Allen Hfd (boarding), 9:05; Lindberg Hfd (cross-checking), 11:24; Allen Hfd (slashing), 15:52; Jackson Hfd (slashing), 18:00.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 9-13-5-27. Bridgeport 12-5-12-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 4; Bridgeport 3 / 8.
Goalies-Hartford, Skapski 3-1-0 (28 shots-24 saves). Bridgeport, Leggio 3-2-0 (27 shots-25 saves).
A-4,363
Referees-Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Derek Wahl (46).
