Sound Tigers Battle B-Sens, Penguins this Weekend
December 10, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST
Sat, Dec. 10 @ Binghamton Senators 7:05 p.m. AHLlive.com
Sun, Dec. 11 vs. W-B/Scranton Penguins 7 p.m. AHLlive.com
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. ( December 10, 2016) - The Sound Tigers face a grueling stretch of five games in the next eight days, beginning tonight with their first trip to Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, N.Y. this season. Bridgeport has won seven of its last nine contests, but currently ranks fourth in the treacherous Atlantic Division following a 3-2 setback to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Webster Bank Arena last Sunday. Travis St. Denis and Bracken Kearns each found the back of the net that afternoon, but Danick Martel delivered the game-winning goal at 7:40 of the third period. The loss snapped Bridgeport's five-game win streak on home ice and the team's three-game win streak overall. The Sound Tigers have not lost back-to-back games yet this season. After tonight's tilt, Bridgeport returns home to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins tomorrow night at 5 p.m.
TIGERS VS. B-SENS
Tonight's game marks the third of four meetings between the Sound Tigers and B-Sens this season, and the first of two matchups in New York. Bridgeport leads the season series 2-0-0-0, including a 4-0 victory in their last meeting exactly one week ago. Travis St. Denis led the way with two goals and an assist that night, while Stephon Williams notched the team's first shutout of the season with a career-high 37 saves. The Senators have not beaten the Sound Tigers since January 17, 2014.
VIEW FROM BINGHAMTON
The B-Sens have won two straight games entering tonight's contest, including a 4-3 victory over the Utica Comets last night at home. Casey Bailey scored twice and Max McCormick netted the game-winning goal with just 1:35 left, while Chris O'Connor made 30 saves for his team-leading fourth win of the year. Bailey has now recorded three goals in his last two games and leads the club with nine goals this season. He is also tied for the team lead with 13 points. Binghamton currently sits seventh in the North Division.
TIGERS VS. PENGUINS
Tomorrow's game will mark the fifth of six meetings between the Sound Tigers and Penguins this season, and the final matchup at Webster Bank Arena. Bridgeport trails the season series 1-3-0-0 after splitting a pair of games during a home-and-home series in late November. Connor Jones nudged home the game-winning goal in overtime on Nov. 25th, helping Bridgeport to a 3-2 victory at home, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton bounced back in their building 24 hours later with a 1-0 shutout. Penguins' goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped all 24 shots he faced that evening. The Sound Tigers went 5-1-0-0 against the Penguins last season.
VIEW FROM WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON
The Penguins (14-5-3-0) enter this weekend's action on a two-game losing streak (0-1-1-0) following a 5-2 loss to the Hershey Bears last night at home. Jake Guentzel picked up his team-leading eighth goal of the season, despite missing five games during his first call-up with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Jean-Sebastian Dea tied Guentzel with his eighth tally of the season as well. Guenztel is also tied for the league lead among rookies with 19 points this season. The loss dropped Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to second place in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Bears. The Penguins face Hershey again tonight before traveling to Bridgeport tomorrow afternoon.
ST. DENIS CATCHES FIRE
There's no question the floodgates have opened for rookie forward Travis St. Denis, who scored four goals in three games last weekend after not finding the net in each of his first 13 contests. The 24-year-old signed an AHL contract with the Sound Tigers last June following four seasons Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. St. Denis recorded 125 points (60 goals, 65 assists) in 162 collegiate games, including a career-high 49 points as a senior last season, which ranked second on the club. He is currently on a three-game goal streak - Bridgeport's longest streak this season.
TOUGH COMPANY
Fact - The Atlantic Division is currently the strongest in the American Hockey League. By collecting 30 points in their first 22 games, the Sound Tigers would lead two other divisions at this point (North and Pacific), but the club is fourth in the Atlantic, one point behind Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and three points behind Lehigh Valley and Hershey. Overall, Atlantic Division teams have combined for 194 points despite having just seven teams. Six of the Atlantic's seven teams are at or above .500.
PREDICTING THE OUTCOME
Aside from their 6-0 overtime record, the Sound Tigers remained perfect last week when a number of other scenarios unfold this season. Bridgeport is 11-0-0-0 when scoring first and 12-0-0-0 when leading after two periods. In addition, the Sound Tigers are 7-0-0-0 when logging at least 30 shots in a contest.
QUICK HITS
Bridgeport's power play went 4-for-18 in four games last week (22.2%)... The Sound Tigers are tied for second in the AHL with five shorthanded goals scored, two behind the Texas Stars... Bracken Kearns is tied for 19th in the AHL with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists)... Devon Toews is second among league rookies with 12 assists and tied for 15th in rookie scoring with 14 points.
AFFILIATE REPORT
NHL: New York Islanders (11-10-5): Next at Columbus - Tonight, 7 p.m. ET
ECHL: Missouri Mavericks (8-10-1-2): Next vs. Tulsa - Tomorrow, 8 p.m. ET
Kids Free Day: The Sound Tigers return to Webster Bank Arena tomorrow night to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for Kids Free Day at 5 p.m. All kids 12 and younger can get into the game free with the purchase of a fully priced adult ticket at the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office. In addition, receive $2.00 off your game ticket at the box office when showing your AAA Membership Card.
Marvel Night: Meet Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and Spider Man at "Marvel Night" on Monday, Dec. 26th when the Sound Tigers battle their in-state rivals, the Hartford Wolf Pack, at 7 p.m. These popular characters will be available for pictures on the concourse with fans of all ages. A special Marvel package is also available for only $25! The package includes access to the game, a hot dog-chips-soda combo voucher and an official Storm superhero t-shirt! Call 203-345-2300 Option 7 to purchase or ORDER ONLINE NOW (use promo code MARVEL) .
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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