AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Gear up for Two-Game Weekend Set

November 4, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST

Nov. 4 @ Hartford 7:15 p.m. AHLlive.com

Nov. 5 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7 p.m. AHLlive.com

THE STORY COMING IN

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (5-3-0-0) go for back-to-back wins tonight as they open a two-game weekend set in the Atlantic Division. The Sound Tigers face the Hartford Wolf Pack (3-5-0-0) at 7:15 p.m. tonight at XL Center before returning home on Saturday for a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (5-1-1-0). Bridgeport is coming off of a 4-2 victory over the Albany Devils at Webster Bank Arena on Wednesday afternoon. Trailing by two after the first 20 minutes, the Sound Tigers scored four unanswered goals, including Ross Johnston's game-winner at 4:56 of the final frame. Michael Dal Colle, Carter Verhaeghe and Bracken Kearns also found that back of the net. Between the pipes, Christopher Gibson made 23 saves and improved to 5-0-0-0 in his first five starts this season.

HARVEST FEST ON SATURDAY

Celebrate the changing seasons on Saturday when the Sound Tigers host Harvest Fest presented by Obey the Orange. Enjoy pumpkin decorating in the Webster Bank Arena atrium, along with arts and crafts all game long, as the Sound Tigers battle the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins at 7 p.m. Fans are also encouraged to call the Sound Tigers' front office at (203) 345-2300 to find out how kids 12 and younger can get in free.

TIGERS VS. WOLF PACK

Tonight's game marks the first of eight meetings between the Sound Tigers and Wolf Pack this season, and the first of four matchups at the XL Center. Bridgeport went 6-2-1-1 against Hartford in 2015-16, falling to the Wolf Pack in overtime in their last battle on March 25th at the XL Center. Scott Mayfield scored the Sound Tigers only goal with a second-period tally that night.

VIEW FROM HARTFORD

Ken Gernander's club has lost three straight games entering tonight's action including a 4-0 setback to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at home on Wednesday. Despite taking 33 shots, the Wolf Pack failed to find the back of the net, while Magnus Hellberg made 26 saves in the loss. In fact, Hartford has not won in regulation since its season opener against the St. John's IceCaps on October 14th. Two of the team's three wins have come in overtime. The Wolf Pack conclude a five-game homestand this evening.

TIGERS VS. PENGUINS

Saturday's game will mark the first of six meetings between the Sound Tigers and Penguins this season, and the first of three matchups at Webster Bank Arena. Bridgeport went 5-1-0-0 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2015-16, with two of those wins coming on home ice. The Sound Tigers earned a 5-2 win at Mohegan Sun Arena in their last meeting on April 2nd, in which current New York Islanders' forward Alan Quine scored a hat trick.

VIEW FROM WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

The Penguins enter this weekend's action on a five-game point streak and with four wins over that span (4-0-1-0). Their 11 points overall put the team first in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of Bridgeport and Springfield. In their last outing on Sunday, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's offense caught fire, scoring a season-high six goals in a 6-1 win over Syracuse at home. Kevin Porter scored twice and now leads the club with four goals, while goaltender Casey DeSmith stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced and improved to 2-0-0-0 to start the season. The Penguins battle the Binghamton Senators at home tonight before traveling to Webster Bank Arena on Saturday.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Beginning tonight, the Sound Tigers will play four of their next five games away from Webster Bank Arena, including trips to Hartford, Syracuse and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the first time this season. Bridgeport is 2-1-0-0 on the road so far, outscoring opponents 12-8 in those games. In addition, the Sound Tigers are 3-for-14 (21.4%) on the power play on the road, good for 10th in the AHL.

GIBSON STAYS PERFECT

Fourth-year netminder Chris Gibson has allowed just 10 goals through his first five starts, helping him to a 5-0-0-0 record to begin the year - tied for the league lead. In fact, Gibson has won seven straight regular-season games dating back to March 29th (7-0-0-0), with a 2.00 goals-against-average and .936 save percentage during that span. The 23-year-old has also moved into sole possession of eighth place on Bridgeport's all-time wins list with 24 career victories. His goals-against-average of 2.00 this season is tied for 13th best in the AHL.

TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD

Veteran center Bracken Kearns has scored in three of his last four games and continues to lead the Bridgeport in goals (5), points (9) and multi-point games (3) this season. The 12th-year pro paced the team in each of those categories last season, along with assists and plus-minus. He will play his 600th AHL game tonight in Hartford. He currently has 353 points (144g, 209a) to his credit in the AHL with Cleveland, Milwaukee, Rockford, Norfolk, San Antonio, Worcester and Bridgeport.

QUICK HITS

Bridgeport has not been outshot in each of its last six games... Kyle Burroughs is fifth in the league in penalty minutes with 30, which is also second highest among AHL defensemen... Ross Johnston is third in the league in shooting percentage (40-percent)... Michael Dal Colle is tied for the league-lead among rookies with four goals... Josh Ho-Sang is tied for eighth among all rookie scorers with six points (one goal, five assists)... Scott Mayfield leads the Sound Tigers with 22 shots, which is also fifth most among AHL defensemen.

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Islanders (4-6-0-1): Next vs. Edmonton - Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

ECHL: Missouri Mavericks (2-5-0-0): Next @ Tulsa - Tonight, 7:05 p.m. ET

Hockey and Hops: The Sound Tigers are combining hockey and hops on Saturday, November 25th when the team battles Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at 7 p.m. Try the area's best craft beers before the game with a special ticket package that night only. Get access to the game, the pre-game beer tasting party and a souvenir Sound Tigers beer tasting glass for just $25.

For additional details or to reserve seats for any of the 2016-17 giveaway and theme nights, please call the Sound Tigers' front office at (203) 345-2300.

Executive suites and premium seat packages are also available by calling the team's front office at (203) 345-4841. If you are interested in group outings with your friends, family, co-workers, or clients an unforgettable experience at a discounted rate, call the group sales hotline at (203) 345-2300 Ext. 7.

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2016


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