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Bridgeport Islanders

The Sound Tigers Report: Week 2

October 25, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (October 25, 2016) - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2-2-0-0) split a pair of games for the second straight weekend as they hit the road for the first time this season to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Hershey Bears.

The Sound Tigers' offense caught fire on Friday, scoring a season-high five goals in a 5-2 victory over Lehigh Valley at PPL Center in Allentown, PA. Carter Verhaeghe (1g, 1a) and Bracken Kearns (2a) each recorded two points, while rookie sensation Michael Dal Colle notched his first professional goal in Bridgeport's opening road game. Between the pipes, Christopher Gibson (2-0-0-0) earned his second straight win by stopping 18 of the 20 shots he faced.

Things didn't go quite as well for the Sound Tigers on Saturday as the team suffered a 5-2 loss to Hershey in its home opener at GIANT Center in Hershey, PA. Tanner Fritz scored both goals for Bridgeport (a career high), including the team's first power-play tally of the season late in the third period. The Bears got each of their goals from a different skater including former Sound Tigers' captain Aaron Ness.

Captain of the Crease: Fourth-year goaltender Christopher Gibson was impressive again last Friday despite facing just 20 shots against Lehigh Valley. He stopped 18 of those chances to earn his second win in as many starts this season. Gibson was Bridgeport's workhorse in 2015-16, making 42 appearances (19-11-6). He is currently ninth on the Sound Tigers' all-time wins list among goaltenders (21), just two away from Mike Morrison who won 23 games from 2007-08.

Promising Youngster Producing Early: Rookie play-maker Josh Ho-Sang has recorded three points in his first four pro games and is currently on a team-best, and career-best, three-game point streak (3a). Ho-Sang, 20, was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round (28th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Bernier Signs On: The New York Islanders announced on Monday veteran forward Steve Bernier has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract. The 31-year-old totaled six points (one goal, five assists) in 24 games with the Islanders last season and appeared in six Stanley Cup Playoff contests as the club advanced to the second round. Overall, Bernier has played 633 NHL games with the Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks, registering 230 points (105 goals, 125 assists).

Oh Captain, My Captain: Veteran winger Ben Holmstrom was named Sound Tigers' captain for the second straight season on October 13th. The 29-year-old is playing in his seventh professional campaign, and is just two games from his 400th AHL appearance. Joining Holmstrom on Bridgeport's leadership group this season are Bracken Kearns and Scott Mayfield, who both spent time with the New York Islanders in 2015-16, and will both wear "A's" on their sweaters this year.

Three's a Crowd: The Sound Tigers open their first "three-games-in-three-days" series on Friday against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Bridgeport will play 11 three-game sets this season, the same amount as a year ago.

Quick Hits: Tanner Fritz's two-goal performance on Saturday the first of his AHL career and just his second overall as a pro - the last coming on January 26, 2016 with the ECHL's Missouri Mavericks against the Evansville IceMen... The Sound Tigers are 20-for-22 on the penalty kill this season (90.9%), good for sixth in the AHL.

The New York Islanders (3-3-0-0) offense came out swinging on Sunday, scoring a season-high six goals in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild at Barclays Center. Captain John Tavares scored twice and added an assist, while former Sound Tigers Calvin de Haan and Alan Quine, along with Johnny Boychuk and Thomas Hickey, also found the back of the net. With the win, the Islanders returned to .500. New York returns to action on Wednesday to face the Montreal Canadiens at Barclays Center before hitting the road to battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

The ECHL's Missouri Mavericks (1-3-0-0) won their home opener on Saturday, topping the Indy Fuel, 2-1, at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, MO. Forwards Aaron Berisha and Darren Nowick, who were both in camp with the Sound Tigers earlier this month, scored the goals for Missouri. The Mavericks return to action on Wednesday at Quad City.

Next Time Out: The Sound Tigers conclude a three-game road trip next Friday with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center. Fans can follow all of the action online via AHLlive.com .

Storm Team Mascot Garden Gnome Giveaway: Be one of the first 2,000 fans on Saturday, Oct. 29 and receive a free Storm garden gnome courtesy of Buckle Up Connecticut. Plus, receive $2.00 off your game ticket at the box office when you show your AAA Membership Card.

For additional details or to reserve seats for any of the 2016-17 giveaway and theme nights, please call the Sound Tigers' front office at (203) 345-2300.

Executive suites and premium seat packages are also available by calling the team's front office at (203) 345-4841. If you are interested in group outings with your friends, family, co-workers, or clients an unforgettable experience at a discounted rate, call the group sales hotline at (203) 345-2300 Ext. 7.

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