Rathgeb scores lone goal in Bridgeport's only exhibition matchup
September 29, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, faced their lone preseason test on Saturday afternoon and suffered a 2-1 setback to the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Koeppel Community Sports Center on the campus of Trinity College.
Yannick Rathgeb scored the Sound Tigers only goal early in the second period, while Christopher Gibson and Jeremy Smith combined for 41 saves on 43 shots.
Bridgeport earned a couple of power-play opportunities in the first 20 minutes, but couldn't capitalize against goaltender Brandon Halverson. Instead, Hartford jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Shawn St. Amant beat Gibson for a shorthanded goal at the 12:33 mark. Following a tripping penalty called against Sean Day, the Sound Tigers gained the zone and set up shop, but a slap shot from the point was blocked in front, leading to a rush in transition for St. Amant.
Rathgeb drew the Sound Tigers back even at 5:04 of the second period. Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle moved the puck around to right wing where Rathgeb, who signed a two-year, two-way with the Islanders on April 6, pulled up in the circle. The rookie loaded and fired a slap shot that was knocked down by Halverson, but the puck trickled across the goal line to make it 1-1.
The game remained knotted until 4:18 of the third period when St. Amant buried his second goal of the afternoon, the eventual game-winner, to put Hartford back on top. The 21-year-old retrieved the puck on left wing and wristed a shot past Smith, who took over for Gibson to begin the period.
The Sound Tigers finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. Gibson made 29 saves in 40 minutes of work, while Smith stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced. Halverson went the distance for Hartford and made 21 saves on 22 chances against.
Saturday's contest also included one fight when Woody Hudson dropped the gloves against Ryan Lindgren at 8:21 of the third period.
The Sound Tigers will open their 18th AHL season next Saturday, Oct. 6 with a road matchup against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown, Penn. Bridgeport's home opener is set for Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. against the Rochester Americans.
Packed Promotional Lineup: The Sound Tigers will boast one of their most extensive and wide-ranging promotional schedules ever for the 2018-19 season. The fan-friendly calendar includes the return of popular themes like Hockey and Hops (Nov. 23 and Mar. 17), Military Appreciation (Jan. 12), Star Wars Night (Jan. 19) and Princess Night (Mar. 30). Regional hockey fans will be elated for the addition of Hockey Weekend in Connecticut (Feb. 23-24), while other new headliners include Holiday Gift Weekend (Dec. 15-16) and a revamped Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 23). View the full 2017-18 promotional schedule.
For additional details or to reserve a group outing for any giveaway or theme night, please call the Sound Tigers' front office at (203) 345-2300 ext 7.
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