Sound Tigers Ready for Three Games this Weekend
January 20, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
DATE TIME OPPONENT FOLLOW
Fri, Jan. 20 7:05 p.m. @ Springfield Thunderbirds Watch/Listen - Twitter
Sat, Jan. 21 7 p.m. vs. Toronto Marlies Watch/Listen - Twitter
Sun, Jan. 22 3 p.m. vs. Rochester Americans Watch/Listen - Twitter
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.- The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (19-15-1-1) partake in their second straight three-game series this weekend, beginning tonight with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds (15-15-5-2) at the MassMutual Center. On Saturday, the Sound Tigers return home to face the Toronto Marlies (15-19-2-1) and open a seven-game home stand, before concluding the weekend against the Rochester Americans (17-21-0-1) on Sunday. Bridgeport is coming off a 5-3 win against the Providence Bruins last Sunday at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tanner Fritz scored twice and Stephon Williams made 32 saves, helping Bridgeport reach the 40-point mark this season. The Sound Tigers are fifth in the Atlantic Division, seven points behind the Hershey Bears for the final playoff spot.
KIDS FREE DAY / 'PLAY' IT FORWARD
The Sound Tigers will host another Kids Free Day this Sunday when they host the Rochester Americans at 3 p.m. All kids 12 and younger can get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket at full price at the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office. In addition, the Sound Tigers will "Play It Forward" by joining forces with WEBE 108 and Splash Car Wash. All fans who bring a new or gently used sporting good for donation at the door will receive a free voucher to an upcoming Sound Tigers game.
TIGERS VS. T-BIRDS
Tonight's game marks the seventh of 12 meetings between the Sound Tigers and Thundebirds this season, and the fourth of six matchups at the MassMutual Center. Bridgeport has logged points in four of the previous six meetings (3-2-0-1), including a 3-2 shootout loss in their last tilt earlier this month. Bracken Kearns scored both goals for the Sound Tigers and Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves in his first AHL game since 2008. On the flip side, Tim Bozon got the game-deciding goal in a six-round shootout.
VIEW FROM SPRINGFIELD
Geordie Kinnear's club has dropped back-to-back games and is winless in regulation since Jan. 6. The Thunderbirds are sixth in the Atlantic Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference, coming off a 4-3 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Monday. Brody Sutter, Sena Acolatse and Kyle Rau all scored to put Springfield ahead by 3-1 after two periods, but the Phantoms notched three goals in the third period. Chase Balisy was quiet offensively, but continues to pace the club with 21 points this season. Mackenzie Weegar leads the Thunderbirds with nine goals. Springfield is 4-4-2-0 in its last 10 games.
NORTH OF THE BORDER
Saturday's game will be the inaugural regular-season meeting between the Sound Tigers and Toronto Marlies, and the first of two matchups this season. The two teams last met in the first round of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, with the Marlies taking the series in three games. Toronto enters the weekend on a four-game losing streak (0-3-1), including a 3-2 loss the Rochester Americans last Saturday. Despite the setback, Brendan Leipsic had two points (one goal, one assist) and now leads the team with 25 assists and 36 points this season. Meanwhile, former first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen paces the club with 16 goals. The Marlies are in the basement of the North Division standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference.
VIEW FROM ROCHESTER
Sunday's matinee contest will be the first of two meetings between the Sound Tigers and Americans this season, and the only matchup at Webster Bank Arena. Rochester currently ranks sixth in the Atlantic Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference, only a few percentage points behind the Binghamton Senators. In their last outing on Saturday, Justin Bailey recorded two points (one goal, two assists) and goaltender Linus Ullmark made 37 saves to beat Toronto, 3-2. Forward Cole Schneider was held off the score sheet, but continues to lead the team with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists), which is also tied for third in the AHL overall. The Americans are in Providence on Friday and Hartford on Saturday before traveling to Bridgeport on Sunday afternoon.
ROAD TRIPPIN'
The Sound Tigers wrap up a stretch of seven road games in 22 days tonight against the Thunderbirds. Bridgeport is undefeated in regulation in four straight road games dating back to Jan. 4 (2-0-1-1), the club's longest such streak this season. The Sound Tigers are 10-7-1-1 on the road this season and will not play another game away from Webster Bank Arena until Feb. 10, following tonight's contest.
OUT FOR THE KILL
Bridgeport's penalty kill has allowed just one goal over its last five games, going 19-for-20 during that span. Included in that stretch is a 5-for-5 performance on Jan. 4 at Springfield and a 6-for-6 performance on Jan. 13 at Binghamton. Overall, the Sound Tigers penalty kill is 14th in the AHL at 82.3-percent.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Second-year goaltender Stephon Williams earned his fifth victory of the season on Sunday, which also moved him into sole possession of 10th place on the Sound Tigers' all-time wins list. Williams has won 20 games in a Sound Tigers uniform and is three wins behind Mike Morrison from 2007-08. In addition, he currently ranks ninth on the team's all-time games played list (goalies) with 48 career appearances, one behind teammate Christopher Gibson.
QUICK HITS
All-Star defenseman Devon Toews is fourth among AHL rookies with 20 assists and tied for 10th among league blue-liners with 24 points... Brent Thompson is five wins away from tying Jack Capuano for first on the Sound Tigers' all-time wins list for head coaches... Steve Bernier is sixth in the AHL in shooting percentage (26.0-percent)... The Sound Tigers lead the league with six shorthanded goals scored on the road.
AFFILIATE REPORT
NHL: New York Islanders (18-17-8): Next vs. Los Angeles - Tomorrow, 7 p.m.
ECHL: Missouri Mavericks (14-17-2-4): Next at Quad City - Tonight, 8:05 p.m.
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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