AHL Bridgeport Islanders

The Sound Tigers Report: Week 9

Published on December 13, 2016 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGE PORT, Conn.- The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (16-8-0-0) notched their league-leading seventh overtime win of the season last weekend and earned two points in a pair of games against the Binghamton Senators and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Sound Tigers currently rank fourth in the Atlantic Division standings with 32 points in 24 games.

New York Islanders prospect Devon Toews stole the headlines on Saturday when he scored the overtime winner, his first professional game-winning goal, with just 65 seconds left against the B-Sens. It was Toews' third tally overall, which followed two goals by Andrew Rowe and one from Josh Holmstrom in regulation. Between the pipes, another Islanders prospect, Eamon McAdam, made 30 saves and improved to 7-0-0 in his first seven starts this season.

The Sound Tigers are now 3-0-0 against Binghamton this year and 6-0-0 against North Division opponents. Ross Johnston and Stephen Gionta also contributed to the victory with two assists in the 4-3 final.

Less than 24 hours later, Kane Lafranchise scored Bridgeport's lone goal in a 4-1 setback to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Webster Bank Arena on Sunday. The visitors finished the game with four unanswered tallies, helped by multi-point efforts from David Warsofsky (one goal, two assists), Jake Guentzel (one goal, one assist) and Stuart Percy (one goal, one assist).

Bridgeport returns to action this week with three games in four days, beginning with a Wednesday-night tilt against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown, PA. Fans can follow all of the live action via the team's online broadcast at www.ahllive.com . The pre-game show kicks off at 6:45 p.m. ET.

The Week Ahead

Bridgeport at Lehigh Valley Phantoms (17-7-1-0) - Tomorrow, Dec. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

Bridgeport at Providence Bruins (12-6-4-3) - Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:05 p.m.

Bridgeport vs. Syracuse Crunch (15-6-0-2) - Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

News and Notes

Overtime Heroics: Bridgeport continued its success beyond regulation last Saturday when Devon Toews delivered the overtime winner in the final 65 seconds against Binghamton. The Sound Tigers are now 7-0 beyond regulation between five-minute overtime sessions (4-0) and shootouts (3-0). Bridgeport leads the AHL with 14 points secured in overtime and is the only club to remain perfect in that category.

McAdam's Homecoming: First-year goaltender Eamon McAdam has a lot to be excited about as the Sound Tigers travel to his home state this evening. The 22-year-old leads Bridgeport in wins and is 7-0-0 through seven starts this season. In addition, McAdam currently ranks 12th among all AHL netminders with a 2.22 goals-against-average. He grew up in Perkasie, Penn. (just 20 miles down the road from the PPL Center) and attended Penn State University for three seasons. He's expected to start in goal tomorrow marking the first time McAdam will play professionally in his home state.

Experienced Rookie: In addition to his three goals on the season, Devon Toews has collected a team-best 12 assists through Bridgeport's first 24 games. The Islanders fourth-round pick from 2014 is tied for fifth among all AHL rookies in assists and is also tied for 10 th among all league defensemen with 15 points. Toews spent each of the last three seasons at Quinnipiac University, recording a career-high 30 points (seven goals, 22 assists) in 40 games as a junior and helping the Bobcats to a Frozen Four appearance this past spring. Fellow Sound Tiger Travis St. Denis was also on that squad.

Quick Hits: The Sound Tigers are tied for second in the league with five shorthanded goals scored, two behind the Texas Stars... Bridgeport's penalty kill is ranked seventh on the road this season (83.9-percent)... Kyle Burroughs is second in the AHL with 61 penalty minutes... Stephen Gionta is two points shy of his 200th professional point... Bracken Kearns is two goals shy of his 200th professional tally.

Affiliate Report

The New York Islanders (11-11-5) have won five of their last seven games, including key victories over the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues last week. However, the Islanders are coming off a 6-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Captain John Tavares has been the biggest threat offensively with points in five straight games (three goals, two assists) and goals in three straight. Tavares currently leads the club in goals (nine), assists (13) and points (22), while former Sound Tigers Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey are tied for second with 11 points. Anders Lee is second on the team with eight goals. New York is back in action tonight with a 7 p.m. ET matchup against the Washington Capitals at Barclays Center.

The ECHL's Missouri Mavericks (9-10-1-3) earned three points in four games last week with a victory over the Tulsa Oilers on Friday and a shootout loss to Tulsa on Saturday. The Mavericks are led offensively by Dane Fox in goals (nine), assists (11) and points (20). Meanwhile, Darren Nowick, who attended training camp with the Sound Tigers in October, is second on the team in assists (10) and points (16). Missouri returns to action on Friday with an 8:30 p.m. ET matchup against the Alaska Aces at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, MO.

Marvel Night: Meet Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and Spider Man at "Marvel Night" on Monday, Dec. 26th when the Sound Tigers battle their in-state rivals, the Hartford Wolf Pack, at 7 p.m. These popular characters will be available for pictures on the concourse with fans of all ages. A special Marvel package is also available for only $25! The package includes access to the game, a hot dog-chips-soda combo voucher and an official Storm superhero t-shirt! Call 203-345-2300 Option 7 to purchase or ORDER ONLINE NOW (use promo code MARVEL) .

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 December 13, 2016


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