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AHL Bridgeport Islanders

The Bridgeport Report

March 20, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (31-25-5-3), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, collected two points in a trio of games last week, but blew fans away with another remarkable comeback at Webster Bank Arena on Thursday. The Sound Tigers crossed the 70-point mark for the first time this season after going 1-2-0 during the week, and the team currently ranks fifth in the Atlantic Division standings with 12 games left in the regular season. Bridgeport is seven points behind the fourth-place Charlotte Checkers for the final playoff spot with two games in hand.

The Sound Tigers allowed each of the first four goals for the second straight game on Thursday, but rallied with six unanswered in a 6-4 win against the Rochester Americans. Travis St. Denis scored three times as part of a five-point performance, while Ryan Bourque (two goals), Steve Bernier (one goal, one assist) and Ryan Hitchcock (three assists) also recorded a multi-point effort. St. Denis' five points (three goals, two assists) tied a franchise record with four other players - last done by Ryan Strome on Nov. 1, 2013 at Worcester - and his hat trick was the seventh natural hat trick in team history. For Hitchcock, a Yale University product, all three helpers were the first three points of his professional career in just his second pro outing. Eamon McAdam (2-1-0) backstopped the win with 19 saves in 37:36 of relief.

Bridgeport's fortune wasn't as good on Friday in a 3-2 loss against the Hershey Bears at Giant Center, which opened a four-game road trip. Josh Ho-Sang recorded his sixth multi-point game of the season (one goal, one assist) and Casey Bailey scored his seventh power-play tally, but Anthony Peluso gave the Bears their first and only lead in the final five minutes. Kristers Gudlevskis (11-12-5) stopped 23 of 26 shots.

The Sound Tigers capped the week with a 4-1 setback to the Providence Bruins on Sunday, despite firing 45 shots at goaltender Zane McIntyre (two shy of a season high). McIntyre was strong all afternoon and stopped 44 of those chances, while Providence set the tone offensively with three goals in the opening 12 minutes to put Bridgeport in a hole. John Stevens scored the Sound Tigers' lone tally in their second straight setback, which dropped the club to 5-4-0-1 against Providence this season. The Bruins have now won each of the last four meetings.

The Islanders' top affiliate will continue a four-game road trip this weekend, beginning Friday with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Syracuse Crunch (39-19-3-4) at Oncenter War Memorial Arena. The action shifts to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Sunday afternoon for a 3:05 p.m. puck drop against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (37-19-4-2). Fans can follow all of the upcoming action via the Sound Tigers Radio Network and AHL Live , beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to each listed start time.

The week ahead:

Friday, Mar. 23 at Syracuse Crunch (7 p.m.) - The Sound Tigers will travel to Syracuse, N.Y. for the first time since Nov. 11, 2016 - and their only visit of the season - to complete a two-game season series against the Crunch. Bridgeport is 0-1-0-0 against Syracuse following a 3-2 setback at Webster Bank Arena on Feb. 11. Travis St. Denis and Michael Dal Colle each scored on the power play that afternoon, but Dennis Yan propelled the Crunch to victory with the game-winner in the final 12 minutes. Friday's contest will also mark the final meeting against a North Division opponent this season.

Sunday, Mar. 25 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (3:05 p.m.) - The Sound Tigers make their second of three trips to Wilkes-Barre, Penn. on Sunday to face the Atlantic Division's second-place team. Bridgeport is 1-1-1-0 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, but suffered an overtime loss at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Jan. 3. Teddy Blueger netted the final goal just 26 seconds into the extra frame.

News and notes:

History in the Making: The Sound Tigers had played 1,316 regular-season and 59 playoff games without ever coming back to win when trailing by four goals until they did it twice in a row, capped by Thursday's 6-4 win against Rochester. Travis St. Denis was the main reason why, recording Bridgeport's second hat trick of the season and the first natural hat trick for a Sound Tigers forward since April 2, 2016 (Alan Quine). In addition, St. Denis' five-point night was only the fifth in team history behind Blake Comeau (Oct. 13, 2006), Jeff Tambellini (Apr. 4, 2008), Greg Mauldin (Feb. 13, 2010), and Ryan Strome (Nov. 1, 2013).

No Letting Up: The Sound Tigers fired at least 40 shots in a game for the eighth time this season on Sunday, but suffered a 4-1 loss to Providence. Bridgeport's 45 chances in the contest moved the team to fifth in the AHL in shots per game (31.80), while the club continues to rank second in the League in shots against (26.50). The Sound Tigers' season high (47 shots) came on Jan. 10 in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Casey Bailey leads Bridgeport with 181 shots this season, which is tied for fourth-most in the AHL.

New Faces In New Places: The Sound Tigers have added a trio of college players this month, including defenseman Ryan MacKinnon, who signed an American Hockey League contract this morning that extends through 2018-19. MacKinnon spent each of the last three seasons at the University of Prince Edward Island, where he received First All-Star Team honors this year before turning pro with the Worcester Railers H.C. of the ECHL. He had nine points (two goals, five assists) in nine games with Worcester. In addition, Ryan Hitchcock was signed to an amateur tryout (ATO) out of Yale University on Mar. 8 and has three assists in four pro games. Tyler Mueller also agreed to terms on an ATO out of UMass-Lowell on Mar. 11, but has yet to make his debut.

Quick Hits : Steve Bernier is on a team-best three-game point streak (three assists)... Travis St. Denis has eight points (five goals, three assists) in his last six games... Casey Bailey has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last eight outings - all but one of those on the power play... Josh Ho-Sang has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last seven games... The Sound Tigers are 23-20-4-2 against Atlantic Division opponents this season... The Sound Tigers are just 2-5-0-1 when recording at least 40 shots in a game this season... Bridgeport allowed a season-high 43 shots against in Sunday's loss to Providence... Kristers Gudlevskis has appeared in six consecutive games to tie a season high, which he could break this Friday when he travels to Syracuse for the first time since he played four years there.

Team leaders:

Games played: Ben Holmstrom, Casey Bailey, Seth Helgeson (64)

Goals: Travis St. Denis (20)

Assists: Tanner Fritz* (27)

Points: Travis St. Denis, Tanner Fritz* (37)

Plus/minus: Kyle Burroughs (+14)

Penalty minutes: Ross Johnston* (113)

Power-play goals: Travis St. Denis (8)

Shots: Casey Bailey (181)

* = Currently playing with the New York Islanders

Affiliate report:

The New York Islanders (30-32-10) opened a five-game homestand with a 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, their third straight setback. Former Sound Tigers Anders Lee (two goals) and Josh Bailey each scored and Jaroslav Halak made 35 saves, but 'Canes forward Trevor van Riemsdyk broke a 3-3 tie with 6:49 remaining. Lee's two-goal performance pushed his total to a team-best, and career-high 35 this season, and the 27-year-old now has four goals in his four games. In addition, former Sound Tiger Ryan Pulock has been red hot lately, recording five points (one goal, four assists) in his last three contests. The Islanders return to action tonight with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Barclays Center. Seven of the club's final 10 games will take place at home.

The Worcester Railers H.C. (30-25-4-3) won all three of their games last weekend to sweep a four-game homestand, moving the club within three points of a playoff spot in the North Division. Their biggest victory came on Friday in a 6-1 win against the Wheeling Nailers at the DCU Center, led by former Sound Tiger Jeff Kubiak's first career two-goal performance. Kubiak finished the week with four points (three goals, one assist) following another two-point effort in Sunday's 4-2 win against the Utah Grizzlies. Kubiak is fourth on the Railers in scoring with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 58 games, while former Sound Tiger Chris Langkow is second with 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 50 contests. Worcester opens a three-game road trip on Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against Wheeling - one of only 10 games remaining in the regular season.

Don't Go It Alone: Whether it's a corporate outing, a fundraiser, or just friends getting together, a group outing with the Sound Tigers will guarantee an unforgettable experience filled with fast-paced action on the ice, great music, promotions and contests at an affordable price. The Sound Tigers have a variety of packages and promotional events to offer. Please call the team's front office at 203-345-2300 ext. 7 for more information on the benefits of bringing your group to a future game!

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