Needed victory

Curtis McElhinney kept making saves; one or two I’m not sure how he got ’em. The last one, no chance for him. David Ullstrom left wide open. Brock Nelson finds him. Ballgame.

The penalty kill came up big in overtime; coupla JAM saves by Rick DiPietro after Bridgeport’s called for too many men (Pellerin credited a smart play for the Falcons to put the puck to the Bridgeport bench in mid-change); big faceoff wins, key clears, blocked shots.

You probably wouldn’t have blinked if that Johan Sundstrom partial breakaway that followed was called a penalty shot; he got a step on the defense at the end, Bryan Helmer hooked him from behind, he got a shot off but could’ve gotten a better one. The minor worked out just fine.

They’re five back with 18 to play.

….

No sign of an official call-up. Possible that the replacement for David Ullstrom is… David Ullstrom? Maybe. Meanwhile, Ullstrom moves up to a tie for fifth in all-time Sound Tigers scoring in overtime (Jeff Hamilton 6-1-7, Rob Collins 2-4-6, Trevor Smith 1-5-6, Mark Wotton 4-1-5, Sean Bentivoglio 2-3-5 not even counting the playoff goal, Ullstrom 2-3-5).

Brock Nelson had a cut under his left eye, which was kind of blackening, after that hit from Amadio; haven’t seen it again myself. He was a little shaken at first, saw the blood dripping and then saw Dave Stickney coming. Took a few stitches and was back for the second. Good thing for Bridgeport.

Adam Huxley acquitted himself well against Tim Spencer; they waited each other out a bit, and then Huxley seemed to tire Spencer out a bit. Well done on both. Meanwhile, District of Columbia Cult Hero Steve Oleksy laid one down on Drayson Bowman tonight for his first fight in the National League.

Looks like the Rangers had the anti-Bridgeport game tonight. Heard Micheal Haley was getting prime ice time.

More tomorrow.

Michael Fornabaio