Throughout the March 11 game between the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Springfield Thunderbirds, at Webster Bank Arena, there were chants of "let's go Tigers" and ... an occasional bark.soundtigers.comThe Sound Tigers somehow repeated the come-from-behind feat, overcoming a 4-0 deficit to Rochester to earn a 6-4 win on March 15. For fans interested in checking out high-level hockey close by, the Sound Tigers have a handful of regular-season home games remaining: March 28 versus Hersey at 7 pm, April 3 versus Providence for a special 10:30 am start, April 7 versus Providence at 7 pm, April 8 against Wilkes Barre/Scranton at 3 pm, and April 15 against Charlotte at 5 pm. The fast-paced play on the ice is second only to what you'll see in the National Hockey League (NHL); the Sound Tigers are the top minor league affiliate of the New York Islanders, and many of these talented players have (and will again) laced up the skates at the NHL level. Visit The Bee's Horse and Pet section.andyh@thebee.comIf you are a Newtown/Sandy Hook resident and attended Pucks & Paws Night with your furry friend, and happen to have a photo you'd like to share for publication consideration, e-mail a jpg image, name of dog, and name of dog owner to

At a hockey game? Dogs?

Strange as it may seem, dozens of canines were on hand to witness a thrilling comeback by the Sound Tigers, who overcame a 4-0 deficit for an improbable 5-4 win before an announced crowd of 5,148 (two-legged fans). Designated Pucks & Paws Night, presented by VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, this third installment of the bring your dog to the game event was once again a unique one for fans - human and canine alike.

Some of the dogs, tired out from walking all around the concourse and mingling with other dog fans, missed a lot of the game action while cooling off on the ground. My stubborn English bulldog, Louie, was initially less than thrilled about the idea of going to the game no matter how much I negotiated with snacks and tried to refresh his memory of the fun he had the previous two times. (Maybe I should have reminded him that he got on the big scoreboard video screen last year.)

Once he got to the rink, it was game on. Louie navigated his way around fans walking to and from the concession stands and was among the dogs who sat on a seat and watched the on-ice activity with great interest. Who needs to fetch sticks when you can watch players move that "flattened ball" (puck) around with their sticks?

Special event vendors - including those from VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center and Choice Pet - handed out goodies from dog treats to leashes, and those handy dog food can covers.

Dog owners had an opportunity to purchase a special game ticket that included a donation that will benefit Waggle, the only pet-dedicated crowd-funding platform that partners directly with leading veterinary providers to reduce economic euthanasia in pets, thereby giving options to pet guardians and second chances to the pets they love.

There was another English bully, a French bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, and a variety of other breeds, along with mutts. They all seemed to get along. The only fighting I saw was between the animals on the ice. With their chance to be featured on the big video screen, the dogs kept their cool and hammed it up for the camera. In addition to the usual hockey music, Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" and Baha Men's "Who Let The Dogs Out" came through the public address system.

Fan interaction included dog-themed trivia. The big screen listed four options for how many dog breeds are recognized to currently exist, according to the American Kennel Club. The choices were 167, 300, 350, and 35. The winning answer: 167.

In the past, Louie enjoyed the event so much he was one of the last to leave - sitting, watching the Zamboni circling the ice when the game ended. He was ready to head home after this most recent Sound Tiger victory, and napped for much of the evening, perhaps dreaming about the sights, sounds, and smells (including those from the concessions).

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You may not bring your dog to these games, but Pucks & Paws Night is a reminder to get your four-legged best friend out for some exercise and interaction. Try Newtown Park and Bark over at Fairfield Hills, or any safe place for your pooch to stretch the legs and have some healthy stimulation.

Don't have a dog but considering getting one? Check the Newtown Animal Control Shelter (203-426-6900). Listings of adoptable pets are frequently posted in

by 5 pm on Monday, March 19.