Sound Tigers Set for Busy Three-Game Weekend; Return Home Saturday
November 18, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
SOUND TIGERS LOOK TO EXTEND WINNING STREAK IN THREE-GAME SERIES THIS WEEKEND
Bridgeport faces Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the road tonight before returning to Webster Bank Arena for a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader
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DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST
Nov. 18 @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 7:05 p.m. AHLlive.com
Nov. 19 vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms 7 p.m. AHLlive.com
Nov. 20 vs. Binghamton Senators 5 p.m. AHLlive.com
WILKES-BARRE, Penn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers earned back-to-back shootout victories over Syracuse and Hershey last weekend, and enter this weekend's action ranked third in the Atlantic Division with 16 points (8-4-0-0). In their last outing on Saturday, Carter Verhaeghe, Scott Mayfield (now with the New York Islanders) and Steve Bernier all scored in regulation, while Andrew Rowe netted the shootout winner in a 4-3 decision over the Hershey Bears at GIANT Center. The Sound Tigers conclude a three-game road trip tonight and look to secure three straight wins for the first time this season.
TIGERS VS. PENGUINS
Tonight's game marks the second of six meetings between the Sound Tigers and Penguins this season, and the first of three matchups in Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads the season series 1-0-0-0 after a convincing 7-1 win in Bridgeport 13 days ago. Rookie forward Jake Guentzel notched four points (two goals, two assists) for the second time this season, while Devon Toews scored Bridgeport's only tally that night. The Sound Tigers went 5-1-0-0 against the Penguins last season including an impressive 3-0-0-0 record at Mohegan Sun Arena.
VIEW FROM WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON
Clark Donatelli's club (10-3-1-0) has won six of its last eight games and enters tonight contest at the top of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with 21 points. Despite that success, the Penguins suffered a 4-1 loss to the red hot Lehigh Valley Phantoms in their last outing on Wednesday. Thomas Di Pauli scored Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's only goal that night, while Tristan Jarry stopped 32 of the 35 shots he faced in net. Rookie sensation Jake Guentzel was held off the score sheet, but continues to lead the club with six goals and 13 points - second among all AHL rookies. Between the pipes, Casey DeSmith leads all league goaltenders with a 1.00 goals-against-average and .963 save percentage through four starts.
TIGERS VS. PHANTOMS
Saturday's game will mark the third of eight meetings between the Sound Tigers and Phantoms this season, and the second of four matchups at Webster Bank Arena. Bridgeport currently leads the season series 2-0-0-0 after a 5-2 victory at PPL Center on Oct. 21 and a 5-4 win in Bridgeport on Oct. 29. Bridgeport went 4-2-0-0 against Lehigh Valley last season.
VIEW FROM ALLENTOWN
The Phantoms (9-3-1-0) enter the weekend on a league-best seven-game winning streak and 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games, ranking second in the Atlantic Division with 19 points. In their last outing on Wednesday, four different skaters scored, including Greg Carey's team-leading eighth goal of the season, while Alex Lyon made 30 saves in a 4-1 victory over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Carey is now tied for second in the league's goal-scoring race, while teammate Jordan Weal is tied for fifth overall with 15 points. The Phantoms are in Providence tonight before shifting to Bridgeport on Saturday. Two of Lehigh Valley's three regulation losses this season have come against the Sound Tigers.
TIGERS VS. SENATORS
Sunday's game will mark the first of four meetings between the Sound Tigers and Senators this season, and the first of two games at Webster Bank Arena. In fact, it will be their first head-to-head matchup in two seasons, since March 28, 2015, when the Sound Tigers earned a 4-1 victory in Binghamton, New York. No player on Bridgeport's current active roster played for the team that night. The Senators have not beaten the Sound Tigers since January 17, 2014.
VIEW FROM BINGHAMTON
The Senators (3-8-0-1) have dropped three straight games entering tonight's action and are tied for sixth in the North Division with the Utica Comets. Binghamton is just 1-6-0-0 at home this season, but 2-2-0-1 on the road, which will be the case when the team travels to Bridgeport on Sunday. The Senators are led in scoring by forward Casey Bailey with four goals and five points, while Phil Varone also has five points (two goals, three assists) on the season. Binghamton faces Albany at home tonight and Hartford at home on Saturday before concluding its own three-game weekend series at Webster Bank Arena.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Bridgeport's offense has shown exceptional parody through its first dozen games of the season. Veteran center Bracken Kearns continues to lead the club with 12 points (five goals, seven assists), but behind him, six skaters are all tied for second on the team with six points, including rookie defenseman Devon Toews (two goals, four assists). Michael Dal Colle (five goals, one assist), Carter Verhaeghe (four goals, two assists), Connor Jones (three goals, three assists), Kellen Jones (two goals, four assists) and Josh Ho-Sang (one goal, five assists) have also notched six points this season, while three other players have five points.
DOWN BUT NOT OUT
The Sound Tigers' penalty kill has consistently been one of the best in the AHL to start the season. Bridgeport's PK combined to go 13-for-14 last weekend, including a season-best 9-for-9 on Saturday, and is now fourth-best in the league at 88.4-percent. The Sound Tigers are also tied for second in the AHL with three shorthanded goals scored. The Charlotte Checkers lead the league with four.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Sound Tigers have won four straight games away from Webster Bank Arena and improved their road record to 5-1-0-0, the team's best to start a season in more than 10 years. In addition, Bridgeport has outscored opponents 24-17 on the road this season.
QUICK HITS
The Sound Tigers are 7-0-0-0 this season when Bracken Kearns has a point and 6-0-0-0 when scoring first in a game... Pat Cullity is one game from his 400th professional appearance... Michael Dal Colle is tied for third among rookies with two game-winning goals... This weekend marks Bridgeport's second "three-in-three" of the season... Stephon Williams is expected to start his fourth consecutive game tonight, with Eamon McAdam, who was reassigned by the New York Islanders from the Missouri Mavericks (ECHL) on Wednesday, backing up.
KIDS FREE DAY!
The Sounds Tigers are proud to present their second "Kids Free Day" this Sunday, November 20th at 5 p.m. All kids 12 and younger can get into the game free with the purchase of a fully-priced adult ticket at the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office. In addition, receive $2.00 off your game ticket at the box office when showing your AAA Membership Card.
AFFILIATE REPORT
NHL: New York Islanders (5-8-1-2): Next vs. Pittsburgh - Tonight, 7 p.m. ET
ECHL: Missouri Mavericks (4-7-0-1): Next at Florida - Saturday, 7 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.
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