Sound Tigers Face Phantoms this Morning
November 8, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
TIGERS VS. PHANTOMS
Today's game marks the second of eight meetings between the Sound Tigers and Phantoms in 2017-18, and the first of four matchups at Webster Bank Arena. Lehigh Valley leads the season series 1-0-0-0 following a 5-2 win in Allentown, Penn. on Oct. 20. Danick Martel scored twice for the Phantoms that night, while Steve Bernier and Ben Holmstrom each found the back of the net for Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers went 5-2-0-1 against Lehigh Valley last season and 3-1-0-0 in those games at home.
VIEW FROM LEHIGH VALLEY
Scott Gordon's club has earned points in eight of its last 10 games, but has also dropped three of its last four including a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Marlies on Sunday. Forward Danick Martel, the AHL's leading scorer through the first month, continued his early-season dominance with the Phantoms' only goal - his 13th in as many games. Martel has also scored in five straight games and is tied for the league lead with 17 points. Teammate Chris Connor is tied for fourth with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and Mike Vecchione is tied for the league lead among rookies with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists). The Phantoms open a season-long six-game road trip this morning.
RISE AND SHINE
Today's contest is the first of three games for the Sound Tigers this season that will start before noon. After today's Cool Fun 101 presented by IBEW Local 488 and Click It or Ticket school-day game, Bridgeport will play the Hartford Wolf Pack at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb 7 (at the XL Center) as well as the Providence Bruins at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 3 (Webster Bank Arena). The Sound Tigers went 3-0-0-0 in morning games last season.
BEGINNERS LUCK? NOT SO MUCH.
Sebastian Aho scored his first career hat trick on Sunday and now has five goals in 10 games this year. Four of his five tallies came in Providence last weekend and two of those were on the power play. The Swedish blue-liner is now tied for the team lead in power-play goals and is also tied for the league lead with three game-winners. His hat trick was the first for Bridgeport since Apr. 2, 2016 (Alan Quine).
KILLING IT ON THE KILL
The Sound Tigers penalty kill has been sensational over the last two weeks, and it was especially strong in three games last weekend. Bridgeport's penalty kill went 18-for-18 during that span and is now 24 for its last 25, dating back to Oct. 27. The Sound Tigers penalty kill has climbed to 10th in the AHL.
SHUTOUT STREAKS
Fifth-year goaltender Chris Gibson turned back 51 of 53 shots he faced last weekend and improved to 12th in the AHL with a 2.36 goals-against-average. Even more impressive, Gibson recorded the second longest shutout streak in Sound Tigers history. He went 158 minutes and 40 seconds without allowing a goal from the first period on Oct. 27 against Hartford to the third frame against Springfield on Saturday. Kevin Poulin holds the team record at 221:54 from 2011-12.
QUICK HITS
Five of the Sound Tigers last 10 goals have been scored by defensemen.Bridgeport has outshot its opponents in nine of 11 games this season. The Sound Tigers have scored first in six straight games.Today's contest is the last game Alan Quine is eligible to play during his conditioning stint... John Stevens is on a three-game point streak after scoring his first pro goal last Sunday in Providence.
AFFILIATE REPORT
NHL: New York Islanders (8-5-2): Next at Dallas Stars - Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET
ECHL: Worcester Railers (5-3-1-0): Next vs. Manchester - Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Justice League Night: The Sound Tigers will celebrate DC Comic presents Justice League Night when they host Hartford this Saturday at 7 p.m. The first 2,500 fans will receive a light-up trident when doors open at 6 p.m. and Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Joker will all be in attendance for pictures and autographs. In addition, take advantage of limited ticket packages that include game access, food and beverage concession specials, a Justice League souvenir figurine, and early entry opportunities starting at $25. For more info and to order this special package, call 203.345.2300 Option 7. ORDER JUSTICE LEAGUE PACKAGE.
Hottest Tickets in Town: The Sound Tigers will boast one of their most extensive and exciting promotional lineups in team history this season. This year's calendar will feature the return of Star Wars Night (Dec. 2), meet-and-greets with the Justice League (Nov. 11) and Marvel (Jan. 27) superheroes, and all-new promotions like a camouflage baseball cap (Jan. 13) and a kid's lunch box giveaway (Feb. 11). 6 Click here to tickets. Guarantee Your Seats: Season tickets and flex plans are on sale now for the 2017-18 campaign, offering the greatest savings and ultimate flexibility of all ticket packages. Pick between a full-season, 20-game, 15-game or 10-game plan and you'll also be entitled to exclusive benefits, including the ticket holder exchange policy, which means any unused tickets can be traded for future games. Seating options are broken down into six different pricing sections, giving you the flexibility to fit Sound Tigers' hockey into any kind of budget. Please contact Brad Dworin at 203-345-4813 or via mailto:brad.dworin@harboryardse.com brad.dworin@harboryardse.com with questions or to guarantee your seats.
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