Jeremy Reich and Mark Flood scored goals for Bridgeport, but it wasn't enough as the Abbotsford Heat defeated the Sound Tigers, 3-2 at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
With the game even at two goals apiece in the third period Keith Seabrook's ninth goal of the season on the power play gave the Heat a 3-2 lead, and it would end up being the game winning goal.
With Tyler Haskins in the penalty box serving a high sticking penalty, the streaking Abbotsford power play took to work. Seabrook reared back and fired a hard slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. With five bodies in front of Bridgeport goaltender Scott Munroe blocking his line of sight, the Sound Tigers goaltender failed to see the Seabrook shot as the puck found its way to the back of the net for the 3-2 Heat lead.
Seabrook was also the third period hero for the Heat just four nights ago on February 20 when Abbotsford shutout the Sound Tigers, 1-0.
Haskins tried valiantly to even things up with three minutes left in the game. Haskins skated down the right wing deep into the Abbotsford zone towards goaltender David Shantz. He managed to sneak his way behind the Heat defense and cut across the goal crease, drawing Shantz down to the ice. But the sprawling Abbotsford net-minder stretched his glove out across the goal line and denied Haskins and the Sound Tigers to send the game to overtime.
Jeremy Reich got the Sound Tigers on the board first just 8:54 into the opening period on the power play with his third marker of the season. With Olivier Lantendresse in the penalty box serving a hooking minor, the Sound Tigers peppered Shantz with numerous attempts to no avail. However, their final attempt with the man advantage made its way over the goal line.
Mark Wotton fired a shot from the blue line that managed to get through a maze of bodies to Shantz. Jesse Joensuu happened to be one of those bodies, who was able to get the rebound on Shantz. Shantz turned aside Joensuu’s attempt, however the rebound landed on Reich’s stick, who potted the puck into the open cage for the 1-0 Sound Tigers lead.
The Sound Tigers and Heat combined for 96 penalty minutes when both teams met four nights ago, and this game exhibited more carry-over from that physical affair.
Trevor Gillies and Peter Vandermeer got things started off just 2:32 into the first period by dropping the gloves near the Heat blue line after the Abbotsford winger took exception to a big hit Gillies threw on him. Both men exchanged heavy blows for about thirty seconds as Gillies managed to get Vandermeer’s jersey over his head, which prompted the linesmen to jump in and break both men up.
That wouldn’t be the only tilt of the period, as Micheal Haley and Abbotsford’s Radek Smolenak mixed it up deep in the Heat zone about ten minutes later. Just like the previous Gillies-Vandermeer affair, Smolenak took exception to a heavy open ice hit thrown on him by Haley. The scrappy Sound Tigers winger held his own with the larger Smolenak before being taken down to the ice in a spirited affair.
Two and a half minutes later, Reich would then come to the aid of teammate Robin Figren as he fought with Abbotsford's captain, Garth Murray. Murray had clipped Figren prior to the bout to which Reich responded by dropping the gloves, moving one assist closer to a Gordie Howe hat trick.
Abbotsford evened things up just 1:01 into the second period on Jason Jaffray's 20th goal of the season. Jaffray flanked a two-on-two rush with David Van der Gulik into the Bridgeport zone. As Van der Bulik crossed the Bridgeport blue line, he connected a centering pass with a streaking Jaffray. The Abbotsford winger broke free and was all alone in front of Munroe. Jaffray cut in front of Munroe and slid the puck past Munroe’s right pad to tie the game up for Abbotsford at 1-1.
Momentum turned to the Heat’s side as the second period came to a close.
Shawn Weller gave the Heat a 2-1 leads on the power play with 5.4 seconds left in the second period. With Greg Mauldin in the penalty box for tripping, Weller was chasing a dump-in and looked to throw the puck towards the slot. Unfortunately for the Sound Tigers, Weller's pass deflected off the skate of Mark Flood and found its way through Munroe’s legs to give the Heat a late lead.
As the third period began, the Sound Tigers were given an early power play as Mark Mitera was called for interference just 59 seconds into the final frame.
They would take advantage being a man up as Mark Flood tied things up a 2-2 on the power play just 2:39 in the third period with his ninth of the season. As Trevor Smith provided a screen in front of Shantz, Flood blasted a slap shot past the unsuspecting Abbotsford net-minder to even the game up for Bridgeport at two goals apiece.
The Sound Tigers record falls to 27-25-3-6, and 16-12-0-3 at home. They will face off next on Saturday, February 27 against the Hershey Bears at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania
