![Bridgeport Islanders](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/ahl_bridgeport_islanders24-200.png)
Bridgeport Islanders Host Comets at 10:30 a.m. Today
April 2, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 2, 2024) - The Bridgeport Islanders (23-34-6-1) tangle with the Utica Comets (29-26-4-5) at 10:30 a.m. this morning as part of their annual Spring 101 School Day event at Total Mortgage Arena. It's the second and final contest that begins prior to noon. Today's game completes a three-game homestand for the Islanders, who defeated the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday, 1-0, in overtime. Ken Appleby (9-9-0) made a season-high 36 saves for his first shutout of the season, while Dennis Cholowski scored the night's only goal 1:44 into overtime. It was Cholowski's first game winner since Feb. 20, 2021 with Grand Rapids. Bridgeport is 12 points out of a playoff spot with eight games left.
TICKETS: Available here!
WATCH ONLINE: www.ahltv.com
LISTEN LIVE: https://isles-radio.mixlr.com/
ISLANDERS VS. CHECKERS
Today's game is the fourth and final meeting between the Islanders and Comets this season, and the second of two at Total Mortgage Arena. Bridgeport is looking to 'win the series' following a 2-1 shootout win in Utica on Mar. 22nd, which improved its record to 2-1-0-0 against the Comets this season. Robin Salo scored the winning goal 1:13 into overtime in a 2-1 victory at home on Oct. 21st. Matt Maggio also recorded his first professional goal that night. Comets forward Graham Clarke leads all players in the series with four points (2g, 2a) in three meetings.
VIEW FROM UTICA
The Comets are coming off a 4-3 win against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday night, in which Shane Bowers scored two goals including the game winner in the final four minutes of regulation at home. Will MacKinnon and Erik Middendorf also scored their first goals since February, and Akira Schmid (7-7-4) made 26 saves. Utica is last in the North Division, but sits just three points behind Laval for a playoff spot with two games in hand. Captain Ryan Schmelzer leads the Comets in scoring with a career-high 46 points, while Graham Clarke has a team-best 23 goals. Utica opens a five-game road trip today.
PUCKS WITH YOUR PANCAKES
Today's 10:30 a.m. puck drop is the second of two morning games for the Islanders this season. They also faced the Syracuse Crunch on Nov. 14th, which resulted in a 5-4 loss at Total Mortgage Arena. Jeff Kubiak, Sam Asselin, Brian Pinho and Cole Bardreau had the goals. Thousands of students from local schools and area youth groups will be in attendance today. Bridgeport went 2-0-0-0 in games that began prior to noon last season - both at home. Both contests went beyond regulation, with the Islanders beating Charlotte in a shootout (4-3, Nov. 1, 2022) and Springfield in overtime (4-3, Apr. 4, 2023).
CHOLOWSKI PLAYS HERO
Dennis Cholowski lifted the Islanders to their 11th win beyond regulation this season when he launched a one-timer past goaltender Spencer Knight 1:44 into overtime on Saturday. It was his sixth goal of the season and first since Jan. 27th. Cholowski leads all Bridgeport defensemen in goals and points (27), and is tied for third on the team in scoring. He has one assist in five career games against the Comets.
QUICK HITS
Ruslan Iskhakov recorded his team-leading 28th assist and 45th point on Saturday... Ken Appleby's clean sheet on Saturday was his seventh career AHL shutout and Bridgeport's first as a club this year... Appleby also logged his second assist of the season on Saturday... The Islanders have scored two goals for fewer in seven straight contests... Bridgeport has played 33 games that have resulted in a one-goal differential, most in the AHL.
AFFILIATES
New York Islanders (32-27-15): Last: 4-3 OTW at PHI, last night -- Next: Tonight vs. CHI, 7:30 p.m. ET
Worcester Railers (29-29-5-3): Last: 9-3 L vs. NFL, Saturday -- Next: Friday at ME, 7:15 p.m. ET
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2024
- IceHogs Clinch Playoff Berth with 2-1 Shootout Win Over Admirals - Rockford IceHogs
- Caamano's Four Goals Lead Texas Past Colorado - Texas Stars
- Ads Get Point in Shoot-Out Loss - Milwaukee Admirals
- Caamano's Four-Goal Night Drives Stars To 5-3 Win Over Eagles - Colorado Eagles
- Bears Claim Atlantic Division In 1-0 Win Over Phantoms - Hershey Bears
- Bears Survive in Goalie Battle - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Couldn't Have Been Planned Better: A Season of Growth for Brendan Brisson - Henderson Silver Knights
- Tucson Roadrunners Road Ahead: I Wish They All Could be California - Tucson Roadrunners
- Blue Jackets Recall Defenseman David Jiricek from Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- Allan Expected to Miss 3-4 Weeks - Rockford IceHogs
- Wolf Pack Sign D Victor Mancini to Amateur Tryout Agreement (Ato) - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Foley Entertainment Group Arena in Henderson Renamed Lee's Family Forum - Henderson Silver Knights
- Rangers Assign Defenseman Brandon Scanlin to Wolf Pack - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Wolves/Vitalant Blood Drive to be Held April 13 - Chicago Wolves
- Jefferies' Goal Only Offense in Morning Setback - Bridgeport Islanders
- Syracuse Crunch Weekly - Vol. 30, No. 25 - Syracuse Crunch
- Kolosov Arrives - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Comets Use Second Period to Topple Islanders in 4-1 Victory - Utica Comets
- San Diego Gulls Sign Andrew Lucas to Amateur Tryout - San Diego Gulls
- Tampa Bay Lightning Add Goaltender Matt Tomkins on Emergency Recall - Syracuse Crunch
- Blue Jackets Assign Defenseman Jake Christiansen to Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- Preview: Tuesday Matchup with Admirals up Next for IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Playoff Push in Full Effect as Penguins Prepare for Three-In-Three Weekend - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Cooper Black, Gracyn Sawchyn and Kai Schwindt Join Checkers Roster - Charlotte Checkers
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Phantoms, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Rangers Reassign Olof Lindbom to Cyclones, Wolf Pack Loan Zach Berzolla to Florida Everbaldes - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Griffins Battle Rivals Rockford and Chicago in Three-Game Week - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Bridgeport Islanders Host Comets at 10:30 a.m. Today - Bridgeport Islanders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Bridgeport Islanders Stories
- Bridgeport Islanders Announce 2024-25 Promotional Schedule
- Bridgeport Islanders Announce 2024-25 Schedule, New Primary Logo
- Bridgeport Islanders to Face Bruins in October 12th Home Opener
- Bridgeport Islanders Sign Three Players to AHL Contracts
- Bridgeport Islanders Launch Game-Worn Jersey Auctions to Benefit Charity
![Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/sc_400w_tag.png)
![OurSports Central](https://www.oursportscentral.com/assets/img/footer-logo-latest.png)