Bellows lifts Sound Tigers in double OT

Photo: John McCreary

Rookie Kieffer Bellows scored his second goal of the night 13:36 into the second overtime period to lift Bridgeport to a 3-2 victory over Hershey in Game 1 of their first-round Atlantic Division series.

Game 2 is Saturday in Bridgeport.

Bellows’ game-winner was the Sound Tigers’ third power-play marker of the night and capped a comeback from 2-0 down as Bridgeport took a series lead for the first time since 2006.

Steve Bernier netted the tying goal with 2:08 left in regulation and Matt Lorito finished with a pair of assists for the Sound Tigers.

Chris Bourque assisted on the OT winner, tying former Sound Tiger Jason Krog for third place on the AHL’s all-time playoff scoring list (118 points).

Chris McCarthy and Jayson Megna scored for the Bears.

Christopher Gibson made 29 saves in net for Bridgeport. Ilya Samsonov stopped 49 shots for Hershey.

Atlantic Division Semifinals – Series “B” (best-of-5)
A2-Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. A3-Hershey Bears
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 19 – BRIDGEPORT 3, Hershey 2 (2OT)
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 20 – Hershey at Bridgeport, 7:00
Game 3 – Tue., Apr. 23 – Bridgeport at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 4 – Thu., Apr. 25 – Bridgeport at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 27 – Hershey at Bridgeport, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern