AHL Bridgeport Islanders

The Sound Tigers Report: Week 6

Published on November 22, 2016 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGE PORT, Conn. - Josh Winquist scored three times, Josh Ho-Sang notched four points (one goal, three assists) and Eamon McAdam earned his first two AHL wins between the pipes as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers won two of three games last weekend, improving to 10-5-0-0 this season. Michael Dal Colle also chipped in a trio of points (two goals, one assists), helping the Sound Tigers maintain third place in the Atlantic Division with 20 points.

Bridgeport went neck-and-neck with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the better part of 60 minutes on Friday, but suffered a 4-3 setback at Mohegan Sun Arena to open the weekend. Bracken Kearns, Andrew Rowe and Winquist all scored, while Penguins captain Tom Kostopoulos was credited with the game-winning goal early in the third period. The loss was just Bridgeport's second on the road this season (5-2-0-0).

Twenty-four hours later, the Sound Tigers bounced back with a 5-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Webster Bank Arena on Saturday. Winquist recorded two more goals and McAdam made 26 saves in his season debut, helping Bridgeport to a 3-0-0-0 record against the Phantoms this season, which also snapped Lehigh Valley's league-best eight-game win streak. Dal Colle, Ho-Sang and Steve Bernier also scored, while McAdam's victory was the first of his AHL career. Bridgeport is now 5-0-0-0 following a loss.

The Sound Tigers concluded the weekend on Sunday and remained perfect beyond regulation with a 3-2 overtime victory against the Binghamton Senators at Webster Bank Arena. Kane Lafranchise played hero with the game-winning goal just 46 seconds into the extra session, while Dal Colle and Tanner Fritz also scored. Bridgeport is now 4-0-0-0 beyond regulation and 3-0-0-0 against North Division teams this season.

The Sound Tigers will go for their first three-game win streak of the season on Wednesday when they face the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center.

The Week Ahead

Bridgeport at Hartford Wolf Pack (5-9-2-0) - Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

Bridgeport vs. WB/Scranton Penguins (12-3-1-0) - Friday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.

Bridgeport at WB/Scranton Penguins (12-3-1-0) - Saturday, Nov. 26 at 7:05 p.m.

News and Notes

When 60 Isn't Enough: Bridgeport continued its success beyond regulation on Sunday when Kane Lafranchise scored his first overtime goal in the AHL to guide the Sound Tigers over Binghamton. Bridgeport now leads the league with a perfect winning percentage (100-percent; 4-for-4) through at least four overtime games. Four of the Sound Tigers' last seven contests have ended in overtime or a shootout, dating back to November 4th.

Youth Movement: At 20 years and five months old, rookie forward Michael Dal Colle is the youngest player on the Sound Tigers' roster. However, he currently leads the team with seven goals (tied for second among AHL rookies) and two game-winning tallies this season. Dal Colle is also tied for 18th among league rookies with nine points. Bridgeport is a perfect 7-0-0-0 when Dal Colle scores in a game. The New York Islanders prospect was selected fifth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Ho-Sang Heating Up: Another highly touted Islanders prospect, Josh Ho-Sang has begun heating up following a pair of multi-point games last weekend, including an assist on Sunday's overtime winner. Ho-Sang now has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his first 14 professional games. He was initially selected in the first round (#28 overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Commanding the Crease: Speaking of young players making a difference, 22-year-old netminder Eamon McAdam won his first two starts of the season (AHL) last weekend, going 2-0-0 with a 1.99 goals-against-average and .926 save percentage. His first career win occurred Saturday against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a team based out of Allentown, PA, just 22 miles from McAdam's hometown of Perkasie, PA. Prior to turning pro, McAdam played three seasons at Penn State University in State College, PA. He became just the second Nittany Lion to ever sign an NHL contract when he did so with the Islanders last March. He was selected by New York in the third round (#70 overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Quick Hits: Bracken Kearns is on a four-game point streak dating back to November 12th at Hershey (one goal, three assists)... He continues to lead the team with nine assists, 15 points (tied for ninth in the AHL) and four multi-point games... The Sound Tigers are 6-2-0-0 in November after starting 4-3-0-0 through October... Bridgeport is tied for the league lead with four shorthanded goals scored.

Affiliate Report

The New York Islanders (5-8-2-2) open a three-game trip to California tonight against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. The club is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins last Friday, their fourth straight setback. Captain John Tavares continues to lead the Islanders with eight assists and 13 points, while former Sound Tiger Brock Nelson is tied for the team lead with five goals and scoring in points with 12.

The ECHL's Missouri Mavericks (6-7-0-1) won their third straight game last night with a 4-3 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears in Orlando, FL. Dane Fox leads the team with five goals and 13 points, while former Sound Tiger and reigning ECHL Goaltender of the Year Josh Robinson is 3-1-0 with a 3.10 goals-against-average through five appearances. The Mavericks return to action tonight with another 7 p.m. matchup against the Orlando.

Next Time Out: The Sound Tigers face the Hartford Wolf Pack for the second time this season on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the XL Center. Fans can follow all of the live action via the team's online broadcast at AHLlive.com, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

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.

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2016


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