Sound Tigers Cap Perfect Weekend With 3-1 Win Over Rochester

Bridgeport’s Braken Kearns duels Rochester’s Evan Rodrigues
on a faceoff. Rodrigues assisted on the first goal of the
contest,  and Kearns picked up a helper on the game's last
goal  in  the Sound Tigers’ 3-1 victory on Sunday.
                                                                           (Photo by Bill Harper)

By Bob Phillips

BRIDGEPORT — Celebrating his 21st birthday in the best way imaginable, right wing Josh Ho Sang found the back of the net twice to lead the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Rochester Americans before 3,367 fans at the Webster Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon. It was the first multi-goal game in Ho-Sang’s pro career.

Rochester fired the opening volley at the 15:06 mark of the first period. Tyson Strachon fired a shot at the Sound Tigers’ goal from the right half-boards. Hudson Fashing, standing in front of Bridgeport netminder Stephon Williams, redirected the rubber biscuit past Williams’ glove for his second goal of the season.

It didn’t take the Sound Tigers long to respond—35 seconds, to be precise. Kyle Burroughs fired a slap shot on Amerks’ goalie Linus Ullmark, who was screened on the play. Ullmark gave it his best shot, but ended up watching helplessly as the puck found its way between his pads and into the crease, where Ho-Sang tapped it past the fourth-year netminder to knot the score at 1-1. It was Ho-Sang’s first goal since Dec. 28, and he was serenaded to a chorus of “Happy Birthday” from the hardcore Sound Tiger fans residing center ice in section 105.

Bridgeport took the lead at the 7:33 mark of the second stanza, and once again, it was compliments of the birthday boy. Michael Dal Colle sent a pass up ice to Ho-Sang in the neutral zone. The rookie then took off down the left boards on a breakaway and fired one past Ullmark’s high glove side to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage. The Sound Tigers sealed the deal with an empty-net goal by Steve Bernier—his 15th of the season—with just eight seconds remaining in the contest.

Overall, Rochester outshot Bridgeport 30-29. The Tigers were 0-for-2 on the power play, but a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Bridgeport’s red-hot PK unit is now 27-for-29 over the past eight games. Williams, who improved to 6-12-0, stopped 29 shots to earn his second straight “W,” while Ullmark (16-14-1) stopped 26 shots in the Rochester net. The win capped a perfect 3-0 weekend that also included victories over the Springfield Thunderbirds and Toronto Marlies.

The Sound Tigers will continue their season-long, eight-game home stand on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Providence Bruins. Wednesday night games are traditionally a tough sell in the AHL, so to sweeten things up for the fans, there will be $1 hot dogs and $5 beers available at all first-floor concession stands. For those unable to attend, the game will be streamed live on  www.ahllive.com, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

Then, on Friday, the Hartford Wolf Pack will be in town to take on the Hartford Wolf Pack. First puck drops at 7:05. On Saturday, the Sound Tigers will entertain the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Saturday will be “Blockhead Night.” The first 2,500 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Sound Tigers OYO Figurine sponsored by Rockin Jump. The team will also be holding a toy block building contest with voting taking place on our social media accounts this week. The winners will receive a prize and be recognized during the game.

For additional details or to reserve seats for any of the  2016-17 giveaway and theme nights, please call the Sound Tigers’ front office at (203) 345-2300.

—with Staff Reports

THE SKINNY