Thunderbirds Edge Islanders in Overtime
December 23, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Bridgeport Islanders (8-16-2-0), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, collected one standings point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds (15-9-2-1) at MassMutual Center on Saturday.
Otto Koivula, Jeff Kubiak and Vincent Sevigny each scored to build a 3-0 lead by the end of the second period, but the Thunderbirds stormed back in the third. Jakub Skarek (3-12-2) made 36 saves on 40 shots, both season highs.
Koivula polished off a terrific sequence of passes to put the Islanders ahead 1-0 at 14:52 of the first period, scoring for the second straight evening. Dufour made a strong move at the blue line to hold the puck in before Ruslan Iskhakov returned a cross-ice pass to Dufour near the left post, who bumped a one-touch pass to Koivula in front. Koivula quickly converted his sixth goal of the season past the glove side of goaltender Malcolm Subban (6-6-2).
Bridgeport added two goals in the second period from Kubiak and Sevigny. Cole Bardreau inched in down the right side at the 12:26 mark, delayed just enough for Kubiak to join the rush, and hit him in stride while darting towards the net. It was Kubiak's fourth goal of the season and first since Nov. 22nd in Springfield.
Less than five minutes later, Sevigny hammered home a one-time slap shot from above the left circle that whistled past Subban's glove for his first goal of the season. Kyle MacLean and Aidan Fulp had the assists.
Springfield retaliated by outshooting the Islanders 20-6 in the third period and scoring three times to tie the game 3-3. Adam Gaudette's 16th goal of the season was tucked inside the right post just 19 seconds in before Dylan Coghlan whistled a slap shot through traffic from the point at 15:45. Coghlan's 10th goal of the year leads all AHL defensemen, while Gaudette's 16 are tied for the league lead.
With time winding down in the closing minutes of regulation, the Thunderbirds reeled in Subban for an extra attacker and knotted the game with less than 10 seconds left. Matthew Peca cleaned up a mad scramble in tight created by other close-range chances from Coughlan and Hugh McGing to force the extra frame.
In overtime, the Islanders were called for too-many-men at the 1:52 mark, and 22 seconds later, Jakub Vrana directed home a one-time shot from the right circle during the 4-on-3 power play.
Bridgeport fell to 2-2-1-0 against the Thunderbirds this season.
Next Time Out: The Islanders return to Total Mortgage Arena on Wednesday to face the Providence Bruins at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. The game can be seen live on AHLTV.com or heard for free via the Bridgeport Islanders Radio Network, beginning with the Connecticut Lottery Pregame Countdown at 6:45 p.m.
Connect with the Bridgeport Islanders
Keep up with the latest Islanders news and connect with other fans on Facebook (@AHLIslanders), Twitter (@AHLIslanders) and Instagram (@AHLIslanders).
American Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2023
- Barracuda Squander Early Lead, Fall 3-2 to Knights - San Jose Barracuda
- Parker Ford Scores Twice In Moose Win - Manitoba Moose
- Amerks Head into Christmas Break with OT Win Over Crunch - Rochester Americans
- Condors Top Firebirds in Overtime - Bakersfield Condors
- Gulls Edged by Roadrunners, 4-3 - San Diego Gulls
- Silver Knights Head Into Holiday Break With 3-2 Win Over Barracuda - Henderson Silver Knights
- Roadrunners Finish Perfect 3-0 Trip with 4-3 Win in San Diego - Tucson Roadrunners
- Edvinsson, Czarnik Reassigned by Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Ads Top Wolves in Overtime - Milwaukee Admirals
- Thunderbirds Edge Islanders in Overtime - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wolves Extend Points Streak in 3-2 OT Loss to Admirals - Chicago Wolves
- T-Birds Produce Festivus Miracle, Stunning Islanders in OT - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Iowa and Manitoba Split Weekend Series, Wild Fall 5-2 - Iowa Wild
- Capitals Loan Miroshnichenko and Lapierre to Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Mcilrath Scores Twice For Bears In 4-3 Win Over Bruins - Hershey Bears
- Monsters Claim Fifth Straight With 3-2 Win Over Comets - Cleveland Monsters
- P-Bruins Topped by Bears - Providence Bruins
- Crunch Fall to Amerks, 3-2, in Overtime - Syracuse Crunch
- Comets Lose Close Game to Monsters, 2-1 - Utica Comets
- Wranglers Score Four Unanswered to Defeat Eagles, 5-1 - Colorado Eagles
- Wranglers Win Second Straight - Calgary Wranglers
- Game Notes - CGY at COL - 12.23.2023 - Calgary Wranglers
- American Hockey League Announces Suspensions - AHL
- Morning Skate Report: December 23, 2023 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Game Preview: Condors at Firebirds, 6 p.m. - Bakersfield Condors
- Simon Edvinsson Recalled by Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Providence Bruins Recall Ethan Ritchie from Maine Mariners - Providence Bruins
- Game #27: Tucson Roadrunners vs. San Diego Gulls - Tucson Roadrunners
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild vs. Manitoba Moose - Iowa Wild
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Bruins, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Roadrunners Beat Bakersfield in Overtime Thriller - Tucson Roadrunners
- Chrona Stands Tall in 2-1 Win at Henderson - San Jose Barracuda
- Silver Knights Fall to Barracuda, 2-1, at Home - Henderson Silver Knights
- Condors Tie It up Three Times and Force OT on Lavoie's 9th of the Season - Bakersfield Condors
- Gust Delivers Gift of OT Winner in San Diego - Rockford IceHogs
- Wranglers Win in Colorado - Calgary Wranglers
- Calgary Defeats Eagles in Goaltender's Duel, 2-1 - Colorado Eagles
- Amerks Doubled up by Bruins for Third Straight Loss - Rochester Americans
- Mcintyre Leads Iowa to 3-1 Victory Over Manitoba - Iowa Wild
- Belleville Sens Snap Skid and Head Into Christmas Break With Win Over Rival Marlies - Belleville Senators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
