The Bridgeport Report: Week 21
Published on February 25, 2019 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (33-18-5-2), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, extended their win streak to five games and their point streak to eight in a row (7-0-1-0) with a three-game sweep of Atlantic Division opponents last weekend. Ten different players found the back of the net and Michael Dal Colle led the way with four points (one goal, three assists), as the second-place Sound Tigers closed to within six points of the top spot.
Leading scorer Chris Bourque also came up big with goals in all three contests.
Bridgeport began its eighth and final "3-in-3" with a 5-4 overtime win against the Providence Bruins on Friday at Dunkin' Donuts Center. Mitch Vande Sompel notched his first professional OT winner to push the Sound Tigers to their 31st victory, and one of two wins beyond regulation last weekend. Bourque, Sebastian Aho, Jeff Kubiak and Connor Jones also scored, helping the Sound Tigers bounce back from three one-goal deficits. Aho and Kubiak each ended the game with one goal and one assist, while CCM/AHL Player of the Week Josh Ho-Sang had three helpers.
On Saturday, Dal Colle recorded the only goal in a three-round shootout to aid in a 4-3 victory against the Springfield Thunderbirds at Webster Bank Arena. It marked Bridgeport's 14th win beyond regulation and its 35th one-goal outcome this season, both lead the AHL. Jones added his first multi-point effort (one goal, one assist) and both Bourque brothers scored to pave the way. Between the pipes, Jeremy Smith (16-9-3) made 28 saves on 31 shots just hours before he agreed to a two-way (NHL/AHL) contract with the Islanders for the remainder of the season.
The Sound Tigers finished the sweep on Sunday with a 5-1 victory against the Hershey Bears at home, matching their season high for consecutive wins. Christopher Gibson (17-9-4) was less than a minute away from his second shutout of the season and helped end Hershey's franchise-record 17-game point streak (dating back to Jan. 11) with 25 saves. Steve Bernier, Travis St. Denis, Matt Lorito and Dal Colle all scored once and added at least one assist.
The Sound Tigers enjoy a five-day hiatus before returning to action this weekend with a pair of road games. Bridgeport and Hershey (31-21-0-3) square off in a 7 p.m. rematch this Saturday at Giant Center prior to a 3:05 p.m. puck drop against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-22-3-3) at PPL Center on Sunday. Fans can follow all of the action online via the Sound Tigers Radio Network and AHLTV , beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes before each listed start time.
The week ahead:
Saturday, Mar. 2 at Hershey Bears (7 p.m.): The Sound Tigers open March with their fourth of six meetings against Washington's top affiliate in Chocolate Town. Bridgeport is 2-1-0-0 against Hershey this season after its victory on Sunday, which also snapped the Bears' 11-game win streak. The Sound Tigers defeated Hershey in their last trip to Giant Center, 2-1 on Oct. 7. Chris Bourque and Steve Bernier both scored that night, while Jeremy Smith earned his first win with Bridgeport in the team's second game of the season.
Sunday, Mar. 3 at Lehigh Valley Phantoms (3:05 p.m.): Bridgeport and Lehigh Valley will meet for the sixth and final time this season with a matinee matchup in Allentown, Penn. The Sound Tigers are 2-2-1-0 against the Phantoms thus far, with points in three of their last four meetings. Lehigh Valley earned a 4-3 overtime win in their last tilt on Feb. 15, despite two points from Matt Lorito (one goal, one assist) in his second game with the Sound Tigers.
News and Notes:
Winning at Webster: The Sound Tigers have won six straight games at Webster Bank Arena dating back to their 4-2 victory against the Providence Bruins on Feb. 9. That stretch has improved Bridgeport's home record to 20-5-2-1 this season, which leads the Eastern Conference (43 points). The Sound Tigers have outscored opponents 107-83 on home ice this season.
Bourque Keeps Burying: Sound Tigers leading scorer Chris Bourque has scored in three straight games for the second time this season, including his team-best fifth game-winner in Sunday's 5-1 victory against his former team. The veteran winger is up to 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) in 56 games this season, as he attempts to lead his AHL club in scoring for the fourth time in the last five years. The Sound Tigers are 10-1-0-1 when Bourque nets at least one goal in a game this season.
Lorito's Hot Start: Matt Lorito has only played five games with the Sound Tigers this season, but he's collected at least one point in each of them and currently rides a team-best five-game scoring streak into this weekend's action. The 28-year-old has eight points (two goals, six assists) since returning from injury, including three multi-point performances. His five-game assists streak is also tied for the longest active string in the AHL. Lorito is a two-time AHL All-Star who signed a two-year deal with the Islanders in July.
Gibson's Groove: Christopher Gibson has won six straight decisions dating back to Feb. 5 and now leads Bridgeport with 17 victories this season. He has a 2.42 goals-against-average and .909 save percentage in those decisions. The sixth-year goaltender, who went to the AHL All-Star Classic a year ago, also played his 118th career game with the Sound Tigers on Sunday, passing Rick DiPietro for sole possession of third place on the club's all-time list. Gibson has won 61 of those outings with Bridgeport (third most).
When 60 Isn't Enough: The Sound Tigers have gone past regulation in five of their last seven games and 21 times overall this season, tied for the most in the AHL (with Iowa). Fourteen of those contests have resulted in victories, which leads the league. Bridgeport has been no stranger to close games this season and the team continues to lead the AHL in one-goal outcomes with 35 (23-5-5-2).
Quick Hits : Sebastian Aho has points in six of his last eight games, with nine points total during that span (three goals, six assists)... Aho is seventh among AHL defensemen in points (38) and third among blue-liners in assists (32)... Otto Koivula is seventh among AHL rookies in points (39) and fourth among first-year players in goals (17)... The Sound Tigers have two of the league's top five players in shooting percentage: Steve Bernier (24.3%) and Michael Dal Colle (23.6%)... Bridgeport has scored at least five goals in a game 13 times this season, going 12-1-0-0 in those contests... The Sound Tigers have outscored opponents by 17 at 5-on-5 this season.
Team Leaders
Goals: Steve Bernier (18)
Assists: Sebastian Aho (32)
Points: Chris Bourque (44)
Plus/Minus: Otto Koivula (+17)
Penalty Minutes: Seth Helgeson (105)
Power-play goals: Steve Bernier (9)
Shots: Chris Bourque (136)
Wins: Christopher Gibson (17)
Affiliate Report
The New York Islanders (36-18-7) stayed quiet as the NHL's trade deadline passed at 3 p.m. ET on Monday. The first-place club now gears up for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Calgary Flames at NYCB Live on Tuesday, looking for back-to-back wins following a 4-0 shutout of the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday. Former Sound Tigers Casey Cizikas, Ryan Pulock and Anthony Beauvillier all scored, while Robin Lehner made 36 saves for his career-best fourth shutout this season. The Isles also faced Calgary (4-2 loss) and Edmonton (4-3 OT loss) during their three-game road trip through Western Canada last week. Mathew Barzal continues to lead the club with 51 points (17 goals, 34 assists) this season.
The ECHL's Worcester Railers H.C. (23-21-5-4) continued a seven-game road trip last week with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Maine Mariners at Cross Insurance Arena on Sunday. Former Sound Tigers Ryan Hitchcock and Matt Gaudreau scored in regulation and Mitch Gillam made 28 saves in net, as Worcester lost its third straight game and fell four points behind Maine for the North Division's final playoff spot. The Railers return to action this Wednesday at 7 p.m. to face the Manchester Monarchs in New Hampshire.
American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2019
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