Islanders Make Quick Work of Overtime to down Lehigh Valley
April 15, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
ALLENTOWN, Penn. - Otto Koivula set up Austin Czarnik just 26 seconds into overtime on Friday, as the Bridgeport Islanders (30-28-7-4), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, capped their season series against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-30-8-4) with a 2-1 comeback victory at the PPL Center.
Koivula had one goal and one assist to pace all skaters, while Cory Schneider (13-10-4) made 35 saves and extended his unbeaten in regulation streak to eight games (6-0-2). He lowered his save percentage to .924 in 28 appearances this season, which shares third place among all AHL netminders.
With the win, the Islanders jumped ahead of the Hartford Wolf Pack for the Atlantic Division's sixth and final spot. Hartford lost to the Toronto Marlies on Friday, 4-1.
The Phantoms' lone tally came with exactly one minute to play in the opening period, courtesy of Maksim Sushko. Max Willman carried the puck down the right side and centered a pass for Sushko, who was denied on the forehand but got his own rebound and finished on the backhand from the doorstep. It was Sushko's 10th goal of the season and Lehigh Valley's only conversion on 36 total shots.
Kyle MacLean had his 10th goal of the season get waived off just before Sushko broke the ice, with the officials ruling that the puck was kicked across the goal line following Jeff Kubiak's try off the post.
The Islanders were outshot 21-8 in the second period, but scored the only goal when Koivula beat goaltender Felix Sandstrom at the 16:19 mark. Simon Holmstrom made some room down the right side, took a few strides, and guided a backdoor pass to a charging Koivula for his quick finish. It was his 12th goal of the season.
Schneider stopped all 21 shots he faced in the middle frame to set a new season high for saves in a single period.
Following a scoreless third that saw 13 combined shots, Koivula, Czarnik and Mitch Vande Sompel each took the ice to begin 3-on-3 overtime and one shift is all it took. Koivula skated to the right circle and directed a cross-ice pass for Czarnik's one-time finish. The Islanders finished the season 4-1-1-0 against the Phantoms.
Bridgeport went 0-for-1 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Next Time Out: The Islanders tangle with the fifth-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their road finale tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. inside Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The game can be heard online through the Bridgeport Islanders Radio Network, or seen via AHLTV, beginning with the pre-game show at 5:45 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2022
- Belleville Sens Move Back into Playoff Position with Win over Amerks - Belleville Senators
- Senators Outlast Amerks in Goaltending Duel - Rochester Americans
- Sushko Extends Goal Streak in OT Setback - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Griffins Collect Third Straight Home Victory - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Islanders Make Quick Work of Overtime to down Lehigh Valley - Bridgeport Islanders
- Texas Caught by Chicago After Leading Early - Texas Stars
- Penguins Rally to Beat Bears in Overtime, 3-2 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Wolves' Magic Number Drops to 1 - Chicago Wolves
- Late Penalty Haunts Bears in Overtime - Hershey Bears
- T-Birds Bounce Back with 3-1 Win over Checkers - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Crunch Fall to Comets, 5-1 - Syracuse Crunch
- Wild Drop Friday Night Contest to Griffins, 3-1 - Iowa Wild
- Wolf Pack Blown Away by Marlies in Toronto - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Comets Win 40th Game of the Season, Beat Crunch 5-1 - Utica Comets
- Checkers Fall Short in 3-1 Loss to Springfield - Charlotte Checkers
- Inaugural "Lucky's EggstravaganzaâÃâ¬Ã to be Held at the Dollar Loan Center on Saturday, April 16 - Henderson Silver Knights
- 5 THINGS: STK at HSK - Stockton Heat
- Alex D'Orio Recalled from Nailers - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Blackhawks Recall Goaltender Cale Morris - Rockford IceHogs
- Marlies Host Wolf Pack in First Half of Weekend Back-To-Back - Toronto Marlies
- Syracuse Crunch to Hold Small Business Night Presented by OneSelect April 30 - Syracuse Crunch
- Heat, Silver Knights Continue Three-Game Set Friday - Stockton Heat
- Wolf Pack Look to Sweep Marlies in Season Series - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Almari Reassigned to Penguins, Blomqvist Signed to ATO - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Game Preview: Bears at Penguins, 7:05 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Game #62: Colorado at Tucson - Tucson Roadrunners
- Islanders Wrap up Road Schedule in Pennsylvania - 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.
