AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Weekly Sound Tiger News

Published on March 12, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


The Bridgeport Sound Tigers earned five of a possible six points in their three games this past week - all at home against teams from Pennsylvania during an exciting three-game weekend. The Sound Tigers fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday, and defeated both the Philadelphia Phantoms and Hershey Bears in 5-4 nail-biters on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Boguniecki leads the way: Eric Boguniecki had nine points in the three games. He had a combined eight points in the back-to-back wins, registering four-point nights both times. The centerman scored once and assisted on three goals in Saturday's comeback win over Philly when the Sound Tigers rallied with five third-period goals. Boguniecki then had a hat-trick and set up another tally as the Sound Tigers came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to defeat the Bears. He also set up the game-tying goal Friday against the Penguins and scored in the shootout. Boguniecki is the Sound Tigers' nominee for the American Hockey League's player of the week.

Record tied: The five-goal third period against Philly on Saturday tied a franchise record for goals in a stanza. The Sound Tigers also scored five in the third period in a win at Hartford back in October this season.

Sweet as chocolate: The Sound Tigers have won six of seven games against the team from Chocolatetown - and the defending Calder Cup champion Bears set a record for most road wins in franchise history and are vying for the best record in the AHL.

In the standings: The fourth-place Sound Tigers (30-26-1-5) hold a one-point lead over the fifth-place Albany River Rats in the race for the final playoff spot in the East Division. Sixth-place Philadelphia had a chance to get to within four points but slipped all the way back to eight points out after Saturday's penalty-filled loss in Bridgeport. Philadelphia was whistled for 131 of the game's 146 penalty minutes.

Powerful power play: After getting just one power play in Friday's shootout loss to the Penguins (former Sound Tiger Robert Nilsson, who later scored twice in the shootout, took the only penalty for the Pens), there was no shortage of man advantages for the Sound Tigers through the rest of the weekend - and the Sound Tigers cashed in. Bridgeport was 3-for-14 on the power play against the Phantoms and 3-for-6 against the Bears.

Special Sunday: Special teams play was key in Sunday's win over Hershey. Not only were the Sound Tigers 50 percent effective on the power play, they also held Hershey to 1-for-7 on the man advantage - and scored a shorthanded goal to boot.

Injury woes: Allan Rourke and Petteri Nokelainen were both injured in Saturday's game against Philadelphia. They joined Blake Comeau, Brandon Nolan, Jamie Fraser and Jeremy Colliton, who had already been scratched for various ailments, on the injury list.

Stepping up: Recent newcomers Stephen Wood, Jamie Johnson, Gregg Johnson, Dustin VanBallegooie and Rob Rankin, the latter of whom signed a PTO just before Saturday's game, have filled the voids left by recent injuries, trades and call-ups to the parent club New York Islanders. Wood had assists Saturday and Sunday, Jamie Johnson scored on Saturday, Gregg Johnson had the eventual winning goal on Sunday and VanBallegooie had assists in both wins over the weekend. Jeff Tambellini was back after a brief call-up to the Isles and had a shorthanded goal set up by Masi Marjamaki in Sunday's win.

Mark Wotton for Fred T. Hunt Award

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers nominate defenseman and captain Mark Wotton for consideration for the Fred T. Hunt Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.

Mark Wotton serves as a role model and mentor to his teammates, providing leadership on and off the ice. Wotton's determination and dedication is evidenced by his play, captaining the Sound Tigers in 60 of his team's first 62 games through this weekend's action. Wotton also leads Sound Tiger defensemen with 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists).

Relay For Life Fund-raiser

Sound Tiger mascot Storm will be on hand during the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life fund-raising event at Dunkin' Donuts, 6 Queen Street in Newtown on Saturday, March 17th from 8-10 a.m. Proceeds from Sound Tigers tickets sold at this event will benefit Relay For Life. Contact Michelina DiSibio at 877-860-9499 for information.

Chalk Talk

Season ticket holders got to sit in on "Chalk Talk" during Saturday's pregame skate. Assistant coach Bernie Cassell conducted the event and answered questions.

Stanley Cup sighting

The Stanley Cup was on hand during Sunday's game against Hershey, providing fans with an opportunity to have their photo taken with hockey's "Holy Grail."

Regier visits Unquowa School

Sound Tiger forward Steve Regier attended Unquowa School in Fairfield to read to students, answer their questions and sign autographs this past week. Regier read Z is for Zamboni by Matt Napier (Illustrated by Melanie Rose) to the pre-kindergarten through second-graders. He then spoke about the day in a life of a hockey player to Unquowa's third through eighth graders.

Big road trip

Lots of playoff implications are on the line during the Sound Tigers' road trip the next couple of weeks. The Sound Tigers play five straight games on the road beginning with Wednesday's fight-for-the-playoffs battle in Albany. They visit Norfolk, a team trying to hold onto first place in the East Division, on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the Sound Tigers skate in Philly which is within reach of a playoff spot and still has three games left with the Sound Tigers. Bridgeport caps off the trip at Binghamton the following Friday, March 23.

On home ice

The Sound Tigers return to the Arena at Harbor Yard to face the Portland Pirates in back to back games March 24th and 25th. The Sound Tigers have just seven regular season home games left. Mark your calendars for the following upcoming giveaways and promos at the Arena at Harbor Yard:

Youth Baseball Day

Sunday, March 25th, when the Sound Tigers host the Portland Pirates at 1 p.m., is Youth Baseball Day. All area youth baseball teams and organizations in attendance will be greeted over the public address system and on the digital displays. Teams and organizations will also be in contention to win several baseball related raffle prizes including a $600 Dicks Sporting Goods Gift Certificate, Sports Center of Connecticut Baseball Package, and New York Mets, Yankees and Bridgeport Bluefish tickets. Call the Sound Tigers at 334-4625 to arrange for your group to attend the game (tickets are just $12 for adults and $8 for children, and the deadline for group tickets is March 16th).

Post-game Skate with Islander Legends/ Zambonis Concert

New York Islander legends, including Bobby Nystrom and Clark Gilles, will be on hand to skate with fans following the game against the Portland Pirates on March 25th. The cult classic hockey band, The Zambonis, will perform on the ice during an open skate for fans with Islander legends. The concert and skate will immediately follow the 1 p.m. game. Limited skate rentals will be available. Stick around after the game to skate on Sound Tiger ice with legends and enjoy your favorite hard-hitting hockey songs!

Get Your Sound Tigers Jerseys!

The Sound Tigers will auction off game-worn jerseys after three weekend home games in late March and April. Here's your chance to own (and wear) a piece of Sound Tiger history. Auctions will be held as follows:

Saturday, March 24 vs. the Portland Pirates, 7 p.m. - Third Jersey

Friday, March 30 vs. the Hartford Wolf Pack, 7:30 p.m. - Away Jersey

Saturday, April 14 vs. the Philadelphia Phantoms, 7 p.m. - Home Jersey

Golf Night, March 30

On Friday, March 30, when the Sound Tigers host the rival Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:30 p.m., it's Golf Night. All fans will receive a coupon good for a round at the Sports Center of Connecticut's driving range.

Hockey Card Giveaway, April 1

Come to the Sunday, April 1 game against the Albany River Rats at 4 p.m. and take home a set of Sound Tigers cards.

Team Photo Giveaway, April 15

Sunday, April 15, when the Sound Tigers host the Norfolk Admirals at 1 p.m., is Fan Appreciation Day. Fans will receive a team photo.

Get your tickets!

Great seats are available for all games at the state-of-the-art Arena at Harbor Yard. For ticket information, including group discount opportunities, call 334-4625 or visit soundtigers.com. Individual tickets are available at the Arena at Harbor Yard Box Office.

Please sign here

Sound Tiger players stick around to sign shirts, photos and other memorabilia in the main concourse behind Section 103 after every home game.

In the community

Sound Tiger players and Storm the mascot are out and about in the community. Storm is available to make appearances and will join your child's birthday party celebration at a Sound Tigers game (call 334-4625 for information).

Check out the Bridgeport Islanders Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2007


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