Sound Tigers Meet Bruins
November 3, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (3-5-0-0), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, gear up for their second three-game series of the season this weekend, featuring matchups against the Providence Bruins (6-2-0-0) and Springfield Thunderbirds (1-8-1-0). The busy weekend of action begins tonight with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against Providence at Dunkin' Donuts Center. Both teams have not played since last Saturday and the Sound Tigers are coming off a 5-2 setback against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at home, in which Steve Bernier and Ben Holmstrom each found the back of the net. Bernier now has five goals in eight games this season and Holmstrom has scored in back-to-back contests.
TIGERS VS. BRUINS
Tonight's game marks the first of 12 matchups against the Sound Tigers and Bruins this season, and the first of six meetings in Rhode Island. Bridgeport went 6-6-0-0 against Providence in 2016-17 and 2-4-0-0 in those games on the road. The Bruins will be Bridgeport's most frequent opponent this season.
VIEW FROM PROVIDENCE
Jay Leach's club has won six of its first eight games and is currently tied with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Providence had won four straight games before suffering a 3-2 loss to the Hershey Bears in its last outing on Saturday, in which Colton Hargrove scored twice and Jordan Binnington made 25 saves. Since then, the Bruins' roster has changed dramatically as Jordan Szwarz (leads team with five goals), Austin Czarnik (leads team with 10 points) and Zane McIntyre (seventh in the AHL with a 1.81 goals-against-average) have all by recalled by Boston. However, Providence received the AHL's reigning Most Valuable Player, Kenny Agostino, who was returned from Boston on Tuesday.
TIGERS VS. T-BIRDS
Saturday's home game will mark the first of 10 matchups between the Sound Tigers and Thunderbirds this season, and the first of five meetings at Webster Bank Arena. Bridgeport went 7-4-0-1 against Springfield in 2016-17 and 3-3-0-0 in those games at Webster Bank Arena. Nine of the 12 matchups last season were separated by two goals or less. 05a2a Click here for tickets.
VIEW FROM SPRINGFIELD
The Thunderbirds are off to a slow start with just one win and three points through their first 10 games. Last time out, Springfield suffered its third straight loss with a 2-1 setback to the Binghamton Devils on Saturday, in which former Sound Tiger Anthony Greco scored the team's only goal. Dryden Hunt currently leads the club with five goals in nine appearances, while Juho Lammikko and Curtis Valk each have eight points (two goals, six assists) in 10 games. The T-Birds host Hartford tonight before traveling to Bridgeport on Saturday night.
TWO-WAY TALENT
Defenseman Mitch Vande Sompel has displayed his exceptional offensive upside through the first eight games of his professional career. The New York Islanders' third-round pick in 2015 has four points in his last four games and is tied for third on the Sound Tigers in points (six), and tied for the team lead in assists (five). Vande Sompel is also tied for sixth among all AHL defenseman in points. He had 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 67 games between Oshawa and London (Ontario Hockey League) last season.
"BERNING" IT DOWN
Veteran winger Steve Bernier is off to a strong start and currently ranks second on the Sound Tigers with five goals in eight games. The 32-year-old is also tied for third on the team in scoring (six points) and is fourth in shots (19). Bernier has registered a point in six of eight games this season after earning 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) in 33 games prior to injury last season.
MOVING UP
Fifth-year forward Alan Quine saw his first game action of the season last weekend after the Islanders loaned him to Bridgeport for a conditioning assignment on Oct. 26. Quine, who missed all of training camp and is recovering from an upper-body injury, scored a power-play tally last Friday and moved into sole possession of seventh place on the Sound Tigers' all-time points list (137) and ninth all-time in goal-scoring (51). He is now one point behind Adam Tambellini (2005-09) and just two goals behind Rob Collins (2003-06).
QUICK HITS
Scott Eansor is tied for the league lead among rookie goal-scorers (seven) and is tied for second in the AHL overall... Chris Gibson has played 53 games with the Sound Tigers and is just one appearance away from tying Steve Valiquette (2001-03) for eighth on the team's all-time list... Gibson is also seventh on the club's all-time wins list (26)... Bridgeport has a power-play goal in three of its last four games.
AFFILIATE REPORT
NHL: New York Islanders (7-5-1): Next vs. Colorado - Sunday, 6 p.m. ET
ECHL: Worcester Railers (3-2-1-0): Next vs. Reading - Tonight, 7:05 p.m. ET
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