Bridgeport, CT - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers remain in the American Playoff Hockey League playoff race with an exciting 6-5 overtime win against the Philadelphia Phantoms on Friday night. The win improves the Sound Tigers record to 38-32-3-1 on the season and drops the Phantoms to 43-25-4-3. With the win, the Sound Tigers are now three points out of the final playoff spot in the eastern conference.

Bridgeport’s Matt Spiller stated before the game, “We need to go out there work hard, and keep it simple…” The Sound Tigers did take advantages of their opportunities, scoring two power play goals and killing off a key penalty midway through the third period. Jeff Tambellini continued to pace the Sound Tigers with 5 points on the night (3 goals 2 assists) bringing his team leading point total to 68 with 34 goals and 34 assists in 51 games.

Tambellini’s wrist shot goal over the shoulder of Phantoms’ Houle at 3:29 of overtime finished off the high scoring affair. Tambellini commented on his goal after the game, “I was hoping to get it on net, when you have a hot stick it is easier sometimes.” Sound Tigers goalie Joey MacDonald and Phantoms goalie Martin Houle could not seem to find an answer to stop the offensive outpour. Houle finished the night with a save percentage of 81% and MacDonald ended up with an 84% save percentage.

The Sound Tigers head to Hershey, Pennsylvania for a Saturday matchup with the Hershey Bears. Bridgeport received some additional good news, learning Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau, Jeremy Colliton, Mike Morrison, Matt Keith, Drew Fata and Frans Neilson will all be rejoining the team from the New York Islanders.

GAME NOTES

A total of six power play goals were scored in the contest. Dustin Kohn left play midway through the second period, however he returned to action later in the game setting up Tambellini’s game winner. Paid attendance for the game was 4,261.