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AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Host Bears Tonight

March 28, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (32-26-5-3), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, return to Webster Bank Arena this evening to battle the Hershey Bears (28-31-4-5) at 7 p.m. The Sound Tigers currently sit nine points outside of a playoff spot with 10 games left, trailing only the fourth-place Charlotte Checkers who have the night off. Bridgeport also has two games in hand on Charlotte with a magic number of "12" - points not gained by Bridgeport or collected by Charlotte the rest of the season.

Last time out, Travis St. Denis and Ryan Bourque each scored twice in a 6-3 win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Sunday, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Ryan Hitchcock added his first pro goal and Steve Bernier also found the back of the cage, while Eamon McAdam (3-1-0) made 24 saves in his sixth AHL appearance this season. Bridgeport has now scored six or more goals on six occasions in 2017-18.

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$1 HOT DOGS, $5 BEERS

Take advantage of $1 hot dogs presented by Hummel Bros. and $5 draft beers for those 21 and older, courtesy of Budweiser, at tonight's game. Both terrific concession specials will be offered at all first-level concession stands throughout the evening. Great seats are available now!

TIGERS VS. BEARS

Tonight's game marks the fifth of six meetings between the Sound Tigers and Bears this season, and the third and final matchup in Connecticut. Bridgeport is 3-1-0-0 against Hershey thus far, including a 2-0-0-0 record at Webster Bank Arena, but suffered a 3-2 loss earlier this month when Anthony Peluso scored the game-winner in the final five minutes on Mar. 16 at Giant Center. Josh Ho-Sang and Casey Bailey potted the goals for Bridgeport that evening. Bailey (one goal, three assists), Scott Eansor (three goals, one assist) and Hershey's Chris Bourque (two goals, two assists) all have four points in as many games during the 2017-18 season series.

VIEW FROM HERSHEY

The Bears were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday following a 4-2 setback to the Hartford Wolf Pack at home. Zach Sill and Liam O'Brien each found the back of the net, and Vitek Vanecek made 27 saves, but it wasn't enough in Hershey's 31st loss of the season. The Bears will miss the postseason for just the 13th time in 80 years. 2018 Olympian and six-time AHL All-Star Chris Bourque leads the club with 48 points and 35 assists, but won't be available this evening as he serves the final game of a three-game suspension for an illegal hit from behind on Mar. 18. However, the Bears got a boost over the weekend with the return of Travis Boyd (44 points in 58 games), who was loaned by the Washington Capitals on Friday. Boyd played seven games with Washington this season - five of those coming this month.

POWER UP

Casey Bailey has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last 10 games and all but one of those have come on the power play. He scored Bridgeport's lone tally in Friday's 4-1 loss to Syracuse with a one-time blast from the left circle and added a power-play assist on Sunday, giving the fourth-year forward a team-best 19 points on the man advantage (eight goals, 11 assists). In addition, Bailey has helped the club score at least one power-play goal in eight of its last 10 games and go 13-for-44 over that span (29.5%).

POINTS IN PAIRS

Former Bear Ryan Bourque helped the Sound Tigers return to the win column on Sunday with his fourth two-goal effort of the season. In fact, it was the ninth two-point performance of the season for Bourque, who is second on the team in multi-point games (nine) and fourth on the club in scoring. Eighteen of his 30 points this season have come in pairs and his 12 goals are the most in a year since 2014-15. He has five goals (seven points) in his last six games and Bourque is also tied for the team lead with a plus-13 rating.

QUICK HITS

Travis St. Denis has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in his last 11 games... Josh Ho-Sang has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last nine outings... Casey Bailey is tied for fifth in the AHL with 184 shots... Seth Helgeson is fourth among AHL defensemen with 113 penalty minutes... The Sound Tigers have outscored opponents 9-1 at 4-on-4 play this season (excluding empty-netters)... Each of the last 10 games will take place against Atlantic Division opponents... Tyler Mueller made his pro debut on Sunday.

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Islanders (32-35-10): Next vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - Friday, 7 p.m. ET

ECHL: Worcester Railers (31-26-4-4): Next vs. Adirondack Thunder - Tonight, 7:05 p.m. ET

Don't Go It Alone: Whether it's a corporate outing, a fundraiser, or just friends getting together, a group outing with the Sound Tigers will guarantee an unforgettable experience filled with fast-paced action on the ice, great music, promotions and contests at an affordable price. The Sound Tigers have a variety of packages and promotional events to offer. Please call the team's front office at 203-345-2300 ext. 7 for more information on the benefits of bringing your group to a future game!

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