AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Keep Rivalries, Add Two Opponents

July 15, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, will play 14 different teams during the upcoming season including two teams they did not play last season, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Utah Grizzlies. The Sound Tigers will also face their six East Division rivals and all of the League's New England-based teams in 2003-04.

The Sound Tigers will play their six division rivals; the Albany River Rats, Binghamton Senators, Hershey Bears, Norfolk Admirals, Philadelphia Phantoms and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; eight times apiece including four games at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard. They will play their archrival, the Hartford Wolf Pack, ten times including five home games. The Sound Tigers will also face the Lowell Lock Monsters, Manchester Monarchs, Providence Bruins and Utah four times apiece including twice in Bridgeport, as well as the Portland Pirates, Springfield Falcons and Worcester IceCats twice each including once at home.

The AHL's 1,120-game schedule format is based on the new four-division alignment that was announced last week. Each of the League's 28 teams will play an unbalanced 80-game schedule, including 40 home dates and 40 road dates, during the upcoming season with an emphasis on traditional and regional rivalries. The 2003-04 regular season will begin on Wednesday, October 8th and will conclude on Sunday, April 11th. The entire schedule is expected to be announced early next month.

The AHL's Board of Governors amended Rule #51 (Delaying the Game) eliminating the automatic minor penalty for shooting a puck out of the playing surface in the defensive zone. The rule still calls for a delay of game penalty on any player who deliberately shoots or bats the puck outside the playing area.

The Board of Governors also approved the transfer of controlling interest in the Houston Aeros franchise from Chuck Watson to Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Aeros' parent club, the NHL's Minnesota Wild.

The schedule format, rule change, ownership transfer, division alignment and a new division-based Calder Cup Playoff format were approved last week during the AHL's annual Board of Governors meeting on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The Sound Tigers will begin their third season of play this October under the guidance of new Head Coach Greg Cronin. Information regarding 2003-04 Sound Tigers season tickets, flex packs, group discounts, birthday parties, suite packages and sponsorship opportunities is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com. Groups, organizations, companies, etc. that are interested in having a member of the Sound Tigers appear at an event are also invited to call 203-334-GOAL or email info@soundtigers.com.

The Islanders will host the Boston Bruins in an NHL preseason game at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard on Sunday, September 21st at 4:05 p.m. Ticket prices for the game begin at $25 with information available by calling the arena at 203-345-2400 or the Sound Tigers at 203-334-GOAL.

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from July 15, 2003


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