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 Bridgeport Islanders

Bridgeport faces Springfield and Hartford this weekend

December 21, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Casey Bailey and Tanner Fritz each recorded four points last week as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (13-11-2-1), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, endured their fifth three-game series of the season. The Sound Tigers collected three of six possible points in matchups against the Springfield Thunderbirds, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but the club continues to rank fifth in the Atlantic Division standings.

On Friday, Bridgeport went back and forth with Springfield throughout its 60-minute affair at MassMutual Center, but ultimately fell short in a 5-4 loss. Parker Wotherspoon scored his first two professional goals that night, including the Sound Tigers' first shorthanded tally of the season, but the Thunderbirds received goals from five different players and Juho Lammikko registered three points (one goal, two assists) to propel the home team to victory. Fritz also chipped in two assists for the Sound Tigers. It was Bridgeport's second straight setback in Massachusetts and their second in a row to Springfield overall.

Twenty-four hours later, the Sound Tigers bounced back at Webster Bank Arena as Sebastian Aho steered the club to victory just 26 seconds into overtime in a 3-2 defeat of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Scott Eansor and Devon Toews also scored for the Sound Tigers, which helped snap the team's five-game winless streak dating back to Dec. 2. Christopher Gibson (9-6-0) stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced in relief of Kristers Gudlevskis and backstopped the come-from-behind win. In addition, Bridgeport's power play was strong and finished the game 2-for-4, with each of the club's last two goals being recorded on the man advantage. Bridgeport is now 1-1-0-0 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season.

The Sound Tigers went past regulation again on Sunday and pocketed one point, but wrapped up their busy weekend with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Phantoms. Bridgeport outshot Lehigh Valley 39-18 in the contest, including 17-2 in the third period alone, but the Phantoms notched two goals in the middle frame and forward Corban Knight scored the game-winner 42 seconds into the extra session. It was Lehigh Valley's fourth straight win in the season series and goaltender Dustin Tokarski had a lot to do with it, making 37 saves. Bailey and Michael Dal Colle earned the goals for Bridgeport.

The Sound Tigers will use a four-day break to prepare for two more games this weekend as the team looks for its first regulation victory since Nov. 24. Bridgeport will re-visit MassMutual Center for the third time in as many weekends on Friday, gearing up for a 7:05 p.m. rematch against the Thunderbirds, before traveling to the XL Center on Saturday for a 3 p.m. affair against Hartford. Fans can follow all of the upcoming action via the Sound Tigers Radio Network and AHL Live, beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to each listed start time.

The week ahead:

Friday, Dec. 22 at Springfield Thunderbirds (7:05 p.m.) - The Sound Tigers are 2-2-0-0 against Springfield this season with victories at Webster Bank Arena on Nov. 4 and Nov. 19. Bridgeport went 7-4-0-1 against the T-Birds in 2016-17 and 4-1-0-1 in those games in Massachusetts.

Saturday, Dec. 23 vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (3 p.m.) - Bridgeport drops by the XL Center on Saturday afternoon for its sixth matchup between the in-state rivals this season. The Sound Tigers are 4-1-0-0 against Hartford this year and 2-0-0-0 in those games on the road, including an overtime victory in their last visit to the state's capital on Nov. 15.


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