Sound Tigers collapse, rebound in shootout for 4-3 win

By ROB SULLIVAN

In a rare matchup with the Houston Aeros, the Sound Tigers actually had the chance to play two separate hockey games against Lone Star State skaters.

The first game took place over a span of 45:51, a stretch where Bridgeport dominated the sleepwalking Aeros, took a 3-0 lead, and the only question was whether or not goaltender Yann Danis could notch the shutout.

Then there was the final 4:09 of regulation, which seemed to be another hockey game altogether. Utah call-up Vladimir Nikiforov was whistled for a boneheaded five-minute boarding major and game misconduct, giving Houston a man advantage for the rest of the game (and ultimately the first 51 seconds of overtime).

In a flash the game was 3-3 as Marco Rosa, Ryan Hamilton and Corey Locke scored three Aeros goals in a 2:38 span to stun the Sound Tigers and tie the game at 3-3.

Unbelievably, the game went to overtime where Houston continued to carry the play. However, Bridgeport dodged a bullet and the game went to a shootout where the Sound Tigers prevailed 2-0, giving the team a 4-3 win.

Prior to the meltdown, the Sound Tigers thoroughly controlled the action, playing superbly. Bridgeport scored a goal apiece in each period and appeared poised to register a workmanlike victory.

Kurtis McLean put Bridgeport on the board first, deflecting a Mike Iggulden drive from the point past Houston goalie Nolan Schaefer. The score was McLean's 10th goal of the year.

The Sound Tigers padded their lead to 2-0 in the second period thanks to Nikiforov's hard work in the corner. The rookie dug the puck out of the right corner and dished it to Sean Bentivoglio, who found Ben Walter in the slot. Walter one-timed a shot past Schaefer for a 2-0 lead at 5:15 of the second period. It was his sixth goal of the season.

Nikiforov actually played a good all-around game, despite incurring the major penalty. A recent call-up from Utah, the team's ECHL affiliate, Nikiforov was a bundle of energy and demonstrated why he is Utah's lone representative to the ECHL All-Star game.

McLean scored his second goal of the game 10 second into the third period, again deflecting an Iggulden shot for a 3-0 Bridgeport lead. That score held until Nikiforov headed for the showers.

The Sound Tigers redeemed themselves in the shootout, as Danis stopped all four aeros tries. Recently selected All-Stars Andrew MacDonald and Iggulden both went to their backhand to beat Schaefer.

Tiger Bites: Iggulden was named first star and McLean copped second star honors. Houston's Rosa carried off the third star...The usual postgame autograph session was canceled due to the inclement weather...Next up for the Sound Tigers is a trip to Providence to take on the Bruins.