Jonathan Racine gave the Pirates an early jump when he collected a Chase Balisy pass and took a shot from the left point that deflected past goaltender Chris Gibson. Sena Acolatse also picked up an assist at 2: 17 on Racine’s second goal of the season.
The Pirates added an insurance goal early in the second when Wayne Simpson skated down the left wing into the offensive zone and tried to put the puck top shelf. Brent Regner hung with the play and put home his fourth of the season to make it 2-0 at 3:57 of the second period.
The Sound Tigers charged back, throwing 25 shots on Mike McKenna in the period, eventually finding the open side with a Kevin Czuczman shot through traffic that caromed into the back of the net to cut the lead 2-1. The defenseman’s fourth of the season was assisted by Tanner Fritz and Alan Quine.
The Pirates were able to stave off three penalties in the, including a 5-on-3 Sound Tigers power play after Regner was called for interference followed by a bench minor for too many men on the ice served by Rob Schremp.
Mike Halmo found the equalizer with his career-high 19th goal of the season, connecting on a feed from Ross Johnston behind the net. Jared Gomes also grabbed an assist at 5:31 of the third period.
Just 1: 08 later, Matt Finn gave the Sound Tigers the lead with help from Quine and Fritz.
Justin Florek and Halmo put the game away, scoring two empty- net goals in the final two minutes for the 5-2 final.
McKenna made 41 saves on the day, dropping to 29- 15-5 on the season. Gibson stopped 31 shots to improve to 18-11-6.
The win gives Bridgeport a four-point cushion on Portland for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. The Pirates have one game in hand.
The Pirates return home to host the Providence Bruins this Friday night. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
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