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Sound Tigers Host Wolf Pack in â??Wednesday Night Rivalry

December 5, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (13-7-3-1), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, host the Hartford Wolf Pack (11-9-1-2) at 7 p.m. tonight, looking to extend their unbeaten in regulation streak at Webster Bank Arena to 12 games. The Sound Tigers haven't lost in regulation at home since Oct. 13, when they fell to the Rochester Americans.

LAST TIME OUT

In Bridgeport's last outing, Otto Koivula scored twice and Josh Ho-Sang netted the game-winning goal 91 seconds into overtime in a 5-4 victory against the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center on Sunday. Ho-Sang added his AHL-leading 20th assist and Michael Dal Colle chipped in two helpers, while Jeremy Smith made a season-high 34 saves. The Sound Tigers improved to 6-0-0-0 when scoring five or more goals in a game this year.

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1-2-3 WEDNESDAY'S!

The Sound Tigers are offering a new "1-2-3" concession special during every Wednesday night game at Webster Bank Arena this season. All fans are encouraged to take advantage of $1 hot dogs, $2 popcorn boxes and $3 bottled Pepsi products, beginning when the doors open at 6 p.m. Great seats are still available for tonight's "Wednesday Night Rivalry" between the Sound Tigers and Wolf Pack or visiting the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office.

TIGERS VS. WOLF PACK

Tonight's contest marks the fifth of 10 meetings between the Sound Tigers and Wolf Pack this season, and the second of five matchups in Bridgeport. Hartford has won three of the four games so far - including each of the last three - and defeated the Sound Tigers 3-1 in their last head-to-head tilt on Nov. 24. Michael Dal Colle scored Bridgeport's lone tally that night at 3:08 of the third period. The Sound Tigers only win against the Wolf Pack occurred Oct. 27 at the XL Center, in which Ryan Bourque scored twice and Sebastian Aho had three assists.

VIEW FROM HARTFORD

The Wolf Pack have won four straight games entering tonight's action - the longest active win streak in the Eastern Conference. In their last outing on Saturday, Hartford defeated the Charlotte Checkers, 5-3, at the XL Center, led by Matt Beleskey's three assists and Peter Holland's second game-winning goal of the season. Holland also extended his point streak to seven games (three goals, seven assists) - the fourth-longest active streak in the AHL. The Wolf Pack have improved to fifth place in the Atlantic Division, two games above .500.

GILLAM GETS THE CALL

The Sound Tigers recalled goaltender Mitch Gillam from the Worcester Railers (ECHL) this morning, filling the void created by Christopher Gibson's call-up to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Gillam played 11 games with the Railers this season and went 5-6-0, with a 2.55 goals-against-average and .925 save percentage - 10th in the ECHL. He is still looking to make his AHL debut and will likely backup Jeremy Smith in tonight's contest.

HO-SANG'S HOT START

For the first time in his career, Josh Ho-Sang leads the Sound Tigers in scoring with 22 points (two goals, 20 assists) in 24 games this season. His four assists last week also vaulted Ho-Sang into the league-lead in helpers and into a tie for 10th place in AHL scoring overall. He is seven helpers away from 10th place on Bridgeport's all-time assists list (76 - held by Trent Hunter, 2001-03) and is currently on a three-game point streak.

KNOWING HOW TO FINNISH

New York Islanders prospect Otto Koivula has five goals and 11 points in his last 13 games, including his first two-goal effort in the AHL last Sunday. The Nokia, Finland native has played left wing, right wing, and most recently, center, during his first season in North America and is tied for fifth on the team in goals (Bridgeport is 4-0-0-0 when he scores in a game). Koivula, the Sound Tigers' youngest player at 20-years-old, also leads the team with a plus-6 rating.

OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

The Sound Tigers scored three times in the first period last Sunday and continue to be one of the strongest teams in the opening frame. Bridgeport has 29 first-period goals this year, third-most behind the Charlotte Checkers and Chicago Wolves, and is 10-1-0-1 when scoring first in a contest. Michael Dal Colle leads the club with five goals in first periods, while four of Otto Koivula's six goals have come in the first 20 minutes.

QUICK HITS

Devon Toews is tied for sixth among AHL blue-liners with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists), but has missed three straight games with an upper-body injury... Sebastian Aho is tied for 15th among league defensemen with 14 points (two goals, 10 assists)... Steve Bernier is fourth in the league in shooting percentage (31.3-percent), but has missed two straight games due to illness... The Sound Tigers have been involved in 15 one-goal outcomes this year, which leads the AHL... Bridgeport is 9-2-3-1 when games are decided by a single tally... Stephen Gionta was returned on loan by the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Islanders (13-10-3): Next at Pittsburgh, Tomorrow (7 p.m.)

ECHL: Worcester Railers (9-10-2-0): Next vs. Brampton, Tonight (7:05 p.m.)

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 Military Appreciation (Jan. 12), Star Wars Night (Jan. 19), Princess Night (Mar. 30) and Hockey and Hops (Mar. 17). Regional hockey fans will be elated for the addition of Hockey Weekend in Connecticut (Feb. 23-24), while another new headliner includes Holiday Gift Weekend (Dec. 15-16). View the full 2018-19 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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