The Sound Tigers Report: Week 14
January 17, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGE PORT, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers took a trio of points from their three games last weekend and moved to 19-15-1-1 (40 points) on the season. The club enters Week 14 ranked fifth in the Atlantic Division, seven points outside of a playoff spot.
On Friday, the Sound Tigers battled back from a two-goal deficit to earn a point, but suffered a 3-2 loss in overtime to the Binghamton Senators at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. Bracken Kearns and Steve Bernier each scored third-period goals, while Jaroslav Halak made 32 saves on 35 shots. It was the fourth straight one-goal game for the Sound Tigers, and their 19th one-goal contest overall this season. In addition, Bridgeport concluded its season-series against Binghamton with a 3-0-1-0 record. The win was the Senators' first over Bridgeport since Jan. 17, 2014.
Twenty-four hours later, Ryan Pulock extended his point streak to a career-high six games (four goals, two assists) with a power-play tally, but it wasn't enough in a 3-1 loss to the Utica Comets on Military Appreciation Night at Webster Bank Arena. Devon Toews also recorded his team-best 20th assist and Halak (1-1-2) made 26 saves between the pipes. Bridgeport's special teams play was the highlight of the evening, going 1-for-1 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Sound Tigers completed the weekend on Sunday afternoon with a 5-3 win over the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tanner Fritz scored twice, Stephon Williams made 32 saves and Ben Holmstrom dropped the gloves, providing the spark Bridgeport needed to beat the Bruins for the second time this season. Twelve different players logged at least one point for the Sound Tigers.
Bridgeport returns to action this weekend with three more games over a three-day span, beginning Friday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. Fans can follow all of the action via the team's live online broadcast at www.ahllive.com . The pre-game show kicks off at 6:45 p.m.
The week ahead:
Bridgeport at Springfield Thunderbirds (15-15-5-2) - Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:05 p.m.
Bridgeport vs. Toronto Marlies (15-19-2-1) - Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
Bridgeport vs. Rochester Americans (17-21-0-1) - Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m.*
News and Notes:
Out for the Kill: Bridgeport's penalty kill has allowed just one goal over the last five games, going 19-for-20 during that span. Included in that stretch is a 5-for-5 performance on Jan. 4 at Springfield and a 6-for-6 performance on Jan. 13 at Binghamton. Overall, the Sound Tigers penalty kill is 14th in the AHL at 82.3-percent, and 10th on home ice at 84.8-percent.
Road Trippin' : On Friday, the Sound Tigers will wrap up a stretch of seven road games in 22 days when they face the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center. Bridgeport is undefeated in regulation in four straight road games dating back to Jan. 4 (2-0-1-1), the club's longest such streak this season. The Sound Tigers are 10-7-1-1 on the road this season and will not play another game away from Webster Bank Arena until Feb. 10, following Friday's contest.
Home Sweet Home: Bridgeport will kick off a season-long seven-game home stand this Saturday when they welcome the Toronto Marlies to Webster Bank Arena for the first time ever during the regular season. The home stand will span 18 days (Jan. 21 - Feb. 7) and the Sound Tigers will face six different opponents during that stretch, including two matchups against the Rochester Americans. Bridgeport is 9-8-0-0 at home so far this season.
Climbing the Latter : Second-year goaltender Stephon Williams earned his fifth victory of the season on Sunday, which also moved him into sole possession of 10th place on the Sound Tigers' all-time wins list. Williams has won 20 games in a Sound Tigers uniform and is three wins behind Mike Morrison from 2007-08. In addition, he currently ranks ninth on the team's all-time games played list (goalies) with 48 career appearances, one behind teammate Christopher Gibson.
Quick Hits : All-Star defenseman Devon Toews is fourth among AHL rookies with 20 assists and tied for 10th among league blue-liners with 24 points... Brent Thompson is five wins away from tying current New York Islanders bench boss, Jack Capuano, for first on the Sound Tigers' all-time wins list for head coaches... Steve Bernier is fifth in the AHL in shooting percentage (26.0-percent)... The Sound Tigers lead the league with six shorthanded goals scored on the road.
Affiliate Report
The New York Islanders (17-17-8) received a 32-save shutout from Thomas Greiss on Monday to blank the Boston Bruins, 4-0, at TD Garden. Nikolay Kulemin powered the offense with two goals, while Jason Chimera and former Sound Tiger Josh Bailey also scored. The win was New York's second in the last four days as the team sets up for a six-game home stand, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Dallas Stars. Bailey leads the team with 23 assists, while another former Sound Tiger, Casey Cizikas, paces the team with a plus-11 rating.
The Missouri Mavericks (14-17-2-4) head into the ECHL's All-Star break ranked sixth in the Mountain Division with 34 points. Last weekend, the club split a pair of overtime results against the Allen Americans and also dropped a 7-5 contest to the Wichita Thunder. Former Sound Tiger Rocco Carzo scored twice and is now tied for team lead with 13 goals this season, while Carter Verhaeghe registered six points (three goals, three assists) in three games and now has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in just six ECHL contests this season. The Mavericks return to action on Friday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Quad City Mallards in Moline, Ill.
*Kids Free Day: The Sound Tigers will host another Kids Free Day this Sunday, Jan. 22 when they host the Rochester Americans at 3 p.m. All kids 12 and younger can get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket at full price at the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office. In addition, the Sound Tigers will "Play It Forward" by joining forces with WEBE 108 and Splash Car Wash. All fans who bring a new or gently used sporting good for donation at the door will receive a free voucher to an upcoming Sound Tigers game.
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.
American Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2017
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