Sound Tigers Open “3-in-3” Weekend Tonight in Springfield

By Bob Phillips with staff reports

 

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers start a three-games-in-three-day stretch
tonight in Springfield before returning home on Saturday.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, are gearing up for an AHL trademark “3-in-3” weekend – three games in three days. Tonight, the Sound Tigers head up Interstate 91 to take on the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Florida Panthers’ top minor league affiliate, at the MassMutual Center. Bridgeport enters the game with a 19-15-1-1 record, while Springfield in 15-19-2-1.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (19-15-1-1) partake in their second straight three-game series this weekend, beginning tonight with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds (15-15-5-2) at the MassMutual Center. Tonight’s game marks the seventh of 12 meetings between the two teams this season—and the fourth of six contests at the MassMutual Center. Bridgeport has logged points in four of the previous six meetings (3-2-0-1), including a 3-2 shootout loss in their last match-up earlier this month. Bracken Kearns scored both goals for the Tigers, and Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves in his first AHL game since 2008.

Tonight’s game will conclude a stretch of seven road games in 22 days—but the Sound Tigers have fared fairly well.  Bridgeport is undefeated in regulation in four straight road games dating back to Jan. 4 (2-0-1-1), the club’s longest unbeaten stretch this season. Overall, the Sound Tigers are 10-7-1-1 on the road this season.

The Thunderbirds are sixth in the Atlantic Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference. Mackenzie Weegar leads Springfield with nine goals. The T-Birds are 4-4-2-0 in their last 10 games. 

After the Springfield contest, the Sound Tigers head back to the cozy confines of the Webster Bank Arena where they will wrap up the weekend with two games in Bridgeport.  On Saturday, the Tigers will face the Toronto Marlies (15-19-2-1) in the first of a seven-game home stand. It will be the first-ever regular-season meeting between the Sound Tigers and the Marlies, the top affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the two teams met in the first round of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, with the Marlies taking the series in three games. And Patriot fans should be delighted to know that first puck drops at 3 p.m. That gives a long lead-time until kickoff for the AFC Championship Game between New England and Pittsburgh. Kickoff is slated for 6:40 p.m.

Toronto, currently in last place in the Northern Division and 13th overall in the Eastern Conference standings, enters the weekend on a four-game winless streak (0-3-1). Brendan Leipsic leads the Marlies with 25 assists and 36 points this season. Former first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen paces Toronto in goals scored, finding the back of the net 16 times.

On Sunday, the Sound Tigers will host Rochester Americans in a 3 p.m. contest. Rochester currently ranks sixth in the Atlantic Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Forward Cole Schneider leads the team in scoring with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists), which is ties him for third-place overall in the AHL. The Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate, are in the midst of a 3-in-3 themselves, with all three games on the road. The Amerks will take on the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Friday night, then head to Hartford to play the Wolf Pack at the XL Center on Saturday night.

Sunday’s game will be a “Kids Free” game. All children 12-years old and younger can get in free when accompanied by an adult purchasing a full-price ticket at the Webster Bank Arena 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.

The Tigers are coming off a 5-3 win against the Providence Bruins last Sunday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Tanner Fritz scored twice and Stephon Williams made 32 saves, helping Bridgeport reach the 40-point mark this season. The Sound Tigers are fifth in the Atlantic Division, seven points behind the Hershey Bears for the final playoff spot.

Killer PK
Bridgeport’s penalty kill has allowed just one goal over its 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.

Movin’ On Up!
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 (2007-08). In addition, he currently ranks ninth on the team’s all-time games played list for netminders 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 Islander’s head coach Jack Capuano for first on the Sound Tigers’ all-time wins list for head coaches.
• Steve Bernier is sixth in the AHL in shooting percentage at 26 percent,
• The Sound Tigers lead the league with six shorthanded goals on the road.