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AHL Bridgeport Islanders

The Bridgeport Report: Week 4

October 30, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn . - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (4-4-1-0), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, split a pair of road games last weekend as the club continued its stretch of eight straight contests against Atlantic Division rivals. Islanders prospect Sebastian Aho, who made his NHL debut last December, led the way offensively with three assists, while Christopher Gibson (3-3-0) and Jeremy Smith (1-1-1) both saw action in the crease.

Aho and Ryan Bourque headlined Saturday's game against the Hartford Wolf Pack (4-6-1-0), which saw the Sound Tigers rally back on two different occasions to earn a 5-4 win at the XL Center. Bourque, a former Hartford captain, scored twice and Aho recorded a season-high three helpers in the back-and-forth affair that saw each team lead at least twice. Between the pipes, Gibson made 23 saves in a gutsy effort to secure the win, while Steve Bernier netted the eventual game-winner with a deflection from the doorstep on the power play. Bernier now leads the Sound Tigers with five goals and three power-play tallies in nine games this season.

Bridgeport's win was its second this season when trailing after two periods (2-2-0-0).

Less than 24 hours later, the Sound Tigers allowed a season-high four goals in the second period and suffered a 6-1 loss to the Providence Bruins (3-5-1-0) at Dunkin' Donuts Center. Cameron Hughes recorded his first professional hat trick and Zach Senyshyn also scored twice for the Bruins, while Seth Helgeson netted the Sound Tigers' lone tally - his first of the season.

It was Bridgeport's fifth straight setback in Rhode Island dating back to Feb. 16, 2017. The loss also snapped Bridgeport's two-game win streak and Gibson's personal three-game win streak overall. Gibson started the contest and made 14 saves in 26:41, but he was pulled less than seven minutes into the second period and Smith stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced in the final 33:19.

Bridgeport returns to action this weekend with its second "three-in-three" of the season - all games against division rivals. Bridgeport will face the Springfield Thunderbirds (6-0-0-2) in a home-and-home series on Friday and Saturday, before welcoming the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (5-2-0-1) to the Park City on Sunday. Saturday's game against Springfield is also at home and tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster and the Webster Bank Arena Click It Or Ticket Box Office. Fans can follow all of the action online via the Sound Tigers Radio Network and AHLTV.

The week ahead:

Friday, Nov. 2 at Springfield Thunderbirds (7:05 p.m.): The Sound Tigers will face Springfield for the first time this season to open their three-game weekend. It will also mark the first of five meetings at MassMutual Center, where Bridgeport went 0-5-0-0 last season. The Sound Tigers haven't won in Massachusetts since Mar. 29, 2017 (3-2 victory).

Saturday, Nov. 3 vs. Springfield Thunderbirds (7 p.m.): The Sound Tigers return to Webster Bank Arena this Saturday for the backend of their home-and-home series with the T-Birds. Bridgeport went 4-1-0-0 against Springfield at home last season, including a wild 5-4 victory in their last tilt on Mar. 11, 2018. The Sound Tigers were down 4-0 in the first 5:18 of the contest, but rallied back for their first ever win when trailing by four goals or more. For tickets, click here , visit the Webster Bank Arena Click It Or Ticket Box office, or call the Sound Tigers front office at 203-345-2300 ext. 7 for more information. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (3 p.m.): The Sound Tigers conclude the weekend on Sunday with their first of six matchups against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In addition, the Sound Tigers are excited to welcome Peppa Pig and the PJ Masks to Webster Bank Arena. Peppa Pig and her brother George, from the hit Nickelodeon television show Peppa Pig, will join everyone's favorite heroes from the hit Disney Junior show, PJ Masks on the Webster Bank Arena concourse beginning at 2 p.m. when doors open. Each character will meet fans and take pictures.

All fans are also encouraged to take advantage of a special ticket package that offers significant value for this added promotional event, including access to the game, a toy mask to wear, an activity packet, a pack of crayons, and entry to a pre-game meet-and-greet with Peppa Pig, George and the PJ Masks beginning a full hour earlier at 1 p.m. Additional meet and greets will be available during the game for regular ticket holders. For tickets or more information, please contact the Sound Tigers group sales hotline at 203-345-2300 ext. 7 or email groupsales@harboryardse.com .

News and Notes:

Leading the Way: Fourteenth-year forward Steve Bernier has scored three goals in his last three games and currently leads the Sound Tigers with five goals this season. Three of those five have come on the power play and Bernier also leads the club with two game-winners this year. A veteran of 637 National Hockey League contests, Bernier has received heavy minutes on Bridgeport's top line this season and now has 42 goals in 105 games with the Sound Tigers. He is eight away from David Ullstrom (2010-13) for 10th place on the team's all-time goal-scoring list.

Slimmest of Margins: Six of Bridgeport's nine games this season have been decided by just a single goal, including Saturday's 5-4 win at Hartford. That leads the Eastern Conference and is tied with the Milwaukee Admirals for the most in the AHL overall. The Sound Tigers are 4-1-1-0 in one-goal outcomes this season.

Notable Numbers: More than a handful of Sound Tigers are approaching a milestone heading into November, all of which could be achieved this month. Those include: Brent Thompson is seven wins away from his 200th AHL/Sound Tigers victory... Jeremy Smith is one appearance shy of his 300th in the AHL... Chris Bourque is five points away from his 700th in the AHL... Kyle Burroughs is eight appearances away from his 200th AHL game played... Mike Sislo is 11 appearances shy of his 400th in the AHL... Michael Dal Colle's next game will be his 150th pro contest.

Quick Hits: Bridgeport's penalty kill is 16-for-18 on the road this season (88.9%), tied for fifth in the AHL... The Sound Tigers' two wins when trailing after two periods this season are second in the League, trailing only Rochester (three)... Seth Helgeson has points in back-to-back games for the first time since last March... He hasn't had points in three straight since Feb, 2015.

Team Leaders

Goals: Steve Bernier (5)

Assists: Sebastian Aho (6)

Points: Michael Dal Colle (8)

Plus/Minus: Steve Bernier, Jeff Kubiak, Ryan Bourque (+2)

Penalty Minutes: Connor Jones (19)

Power-play goals: Steve Bernier (3)

Shots: Mike Sislo, Devon Toews (22)

Affiliate Report

Former Sound Tigers Anders Lee and Ryan Pulock helped lift the New York Islanders (5-4-1) to their second road win in as many days with a 2-1 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes last Sunday. In addition, Thomas Greiss grinded out his 100th career win (and his fourth straight victory at PNC Arena), making 38 saves on 39 chances. Prior to Saturday, the Isles notched a convincing 6-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday that Brock Nelson scored twice in and Lee had a season-high four points (one goal, three assists). Lee is now tied with another former Sound Tiger, Josh Bailey, for the team lead in scoring. Both forwards have 11 points in 10 games as New York completes a three-game road trip tonight with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. The Islanders return home on Thursday to rematch the Penguins at 7 p.m.

The Worcester Railers (3-3-0-0) dropped a 2-1 decision to the Adirondack Thunder in Glens Falls, N.Y. last Saturday to conclude a three-game road trip. Former Sound Tiger Josh Holmstrom scored the Railers only tally, his team-leading fourth goal of the season and fourth in as many games, while Mitch Gillam made 23 saves. Worcester is back at it this Friday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against Adirondack at the DCU Center before playing three straight against the Newfoundland Growlers.

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 Hockey and Hops (Nov. 23 and Mar. 17), Military Appreciation (Jan. 12), Star Wars Night (Jan. 19) and Princess Night (Mar. 30). Regional hockey fans will be elated for the addition of Hockey Weekend in Connecticut (Feb. 23-24), while other new headliners include Holiday Gift Weekend (Dec. 15-16) and a revamped Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 23). 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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