The Sound Tigers Report: Week 15
January 24, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGE PORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers crossed the halfway mark of their 2016-17 season last weekend and pocketed all six points in a three-game series. The success moved Bridgeport into fourth place in the Atlantic Division standings based on its .590 win percentage, and puts the Sound Tigers one point behind the defending Eastern Conference champion Hershey Bears. Bridgeport is 22-15-1-1 (46 points) through 39 games this season.
The weekend kicked off on Friday when Bracken Kearns scored twice, and added an assist, to lead the Sound Tigers to a 5-3 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. Steve Bernier (one goal, two assists), Andrew Rowe (one goal, two assists) and Ryan Pulock (two assists) also logged multiple points to help Bridgeport capture its second straight 5-3 win. The Sound Tigers have registered at least one point in five straight road games (3-0-1-1).
Twenty-four hours later, Kearns continued his dominance with another multi-point effort (one goal, one assist) as Bridgeport secured a 4-3 win over the Toronto Marlies in their inaugural regular-season meeting on Saturday. Pulock added three points (one goal, two assist) in the victory at Webster Bank Arena, which opened a season-long eight-game homestand.
Former 28th overall pick (2014 NHL Entry Draft) Josh Ho Sang scored twice on his 21st birthday on Sunday to guide the Sound Tigers to their fourth straight win, a 3-1 victory over the Rochester Americans at Webster Bank Arena. It was Ho-Sang's first professional multi-goal game, which helped Bridgeport score three unanswered tallies after falling behind in the first period.
The Sound Tigers will go for their season-best fifth straight win on Wednesday when they host the third-place Providence Bruins at 7 p.m. Bridgeport is 2-1-0-0 against Providence this season. Fans can follow all of the action via the team's live broadcast at www.ahllive.com . The pre-game show kicks off at 6:45 p.m.
The week ahead:
Bridgeport vs. Providence (24-11-4-3) - Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
Bridgeport vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (15-23-3-1) - Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
Bridgeport vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-11-2-0) - Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.
News and Notes:
Open Season: The Sound Tigers have killed 27 of their last 29 penalties since Jan. 4, a span of eight games. Bridgeport's PK ranks 14th in the AHL overall (82.6-percent) and 11th on home ice (84.7-percent).
Familiar Company : The Sound Tigers will face Atlantic Division foes in each of their next three games and eight of their next nine overall. Bridgeport is 14-12-0-1 against Atlantic Division opponents so far this season, but 8-4-0-0 against the three teams it will see this week: the Providence Bruins (2-1-0-0), Hartford Wolf Pack (3-1-0-0) and Lehigh Valley Phantoms (3-2-0-0).
Shining Bright: Sound Tigers defenseman Devon Toews will skate with the league's best this weekend during the AHL All-Star Classic presented by Capital BlueCross in Allentown, Penn. The 22-year-old rookie has played all 39 games with the Sound Tigers this season and leads the club in assists (21) and shots (84). He is also tied for third among all league rookies in assists and power-play helpers (11), and is tied for 11th among AHL defensemen with 25 points. Toews was drafted by the New York Islanders in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Rowe Boat: Seventh-year forward Andrew Rowe recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in three games last week, and extended his point streak to an AHL career-high four contests. Following a three-point effort (one goal, two assists) on Friday, the Michigan native scored again on Saturday, and then celebrated his 29th birthday with an assist on Sunday afternoon. Rowe now has 11 points in his last 11 games and ranks fifth on the Sound Tigers' roster with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) this season.
Quick Hits : Bracken Kearns has scored seven goals in his last eight games and is tied for 13th in the AHL with 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists)... Josh Winquist is on a four-game point/assist streak, dating back to Jan. 13... Brent Thompson (131) is two wins from tying Jack Capuano (133) for first on the Sound Tigers' all-time wins list for head coaches... Steve Bernier is fifth in the AHL with eight power-play goals... Stephon Williams is tied for seventh on the Sound Tigers' all-time games played list for goalies (49) and ninth on the all-time wins list (24)... Bridgeport is second in the league with an average of 17.13 penalty minutes per game.
Affiliate Report
The New York Islanders (19-17-9 = 47 points) earned a point for the fourth straight game on Sunday, but fell to the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, in overtime at Barclays Center. Prior to the setback, the Islanders had won three straight games including back-to-back shutouts from Thomas Greiss, and a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, in which former Sound Tiger Anders Lee scored twice. Lee ranks second on the Isles in goals (17), while Greiss made 55 combined saves in his shutouts of the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars to earn the NHL's Second Star of the Week honors. The Islanders return to action tonight with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home.
The ECHL's Missouri Mavericks (15-18-2-5 = 37 points) notched five points in four games last week including a 5-2 win against the Quad City Mallards on Saturday at home. Former Sound Tiger Carter Verhaeghe led the way that night with a team-best three points (two goals, one assists) - his sixth multi-point effort in nine ECHL games this season. Overall, Verhaeghe has recorded 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in nine contests since being reassigned to Missouri by the New York Islanders on Dec. 31. Missouri returned to action tomorrow with an 8:05 p.m. ET puck drop against the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Dogs & Brews: All fans are encouraged to take advantage of several concession specials this Wednesday, including $1 hot dogs and $5 beers at all first floor concession stands presented by Hummel Bros. The game will also be streamed live on www.ahllive.com, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.
Bacon Night: Is there a better way to start your weekend than with hockey and bacon? Yes, bacon. Enjoy the Sound Tigers' signature bacon on a stick or try one of the special bacon items (like bacon wrapped pretzels, chocolate dipped bacon, bacon cheeseburgers and bacon cocktails). Plus, the first 200 fans that visit the AARP table will receive a voucher for one (1) free popcorn. ;
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