The Bridgeport Report: Week 15

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (18-13-4-2), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, collected five of six possible points last week in a pair of divisional games against the Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins. With that success, the Sound Tigers have climbed to fourth place in the Atlantic Division as the club gears up for a busy, four-game slate this week.
Each of Bridgeport's three games last week were decided by just one goal, including a 2-1 shootout setback to the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday night at Webster Bank Arena. The Sound Tigers fired a season-high 47 shots at Wolf Pack goaltender Marek Mazanec, but only Travis St. Deniscould find the back of the net for his ninth tally of the season. Between the pipes, Kristers Gudlevskis (4-6-4) made 25 saves in the rivalry matchup.

Forty-eight hours later, Casey Bailey filtered home the game-winning tally with nearly two minutes left in regulation as the Sound Tigers earned a 3-2 win against the AHL's best goaltender, Jordan Binnington, and the Providence Bruins at Dunkin' Donuts Center on Friday. Bailey's ninth goal of the season came from the left corner at 17:56 of the third period, which narrowly sailed past the near post and Binnington's right leg from a seemingly impossible angle. With the victory, Bridgeport snapped a four-game drought (0-1-2-1) and improved to 3-0-0-0 in Rhode Island this season.

The Sound Tigers wrapped up the weekend on Saturday with another victory over the Bruins - a thrilling 2-1 shootout win at Webster Bank Arena. Mitch Vande Sompel and St. Denis each scored in a three-round shootout, and Connor Jones netted his fourth goal of the season in regulation, which helped the Sound Tigers sweep a home-and-home series against Providence. Bridgeport is now 5-1-0-0 against the Bruins this season. In addition, the Sound Tigers extended their unbeaten streak at home to six games (4-0-1-1) and have now gone past 60 minutes in four of their last six contests. Christopher Gibson backstopped the effort with 27 saves on 28 shots.
Bridgeport will cross the halfway mark of the 2017-18 campaign following Tuesday's matchup against the fifth-place Charlotte Checkers (21-16-0-1) at Bojangles Coliseum. It's one of four games for the Sound Tigers this week, as they will face Checkers in a Tuesday-Wednesday doubleheader in North Carolina, before returning to Webster Bank Arena to host the Bruins (22-11-3-1) on Saturday and the Toronto Marlies (28-11-0-0) on Sunday. Fans can follow all of the upcoming action via the Sound Tigers Radio Network and AHL Live, beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to each listed start time.

The week ahead:
Tuesday, Jan. 16 at Charlotte Checkers (7 p.m.) -The Sound Tigers will battle Charlotte for the fourth time this season and their third of four matchups in North Carolina. Bridgeport is 2-1-0-0 against Charlotte this year.
Wednesday, Jan. 17 at Charlotte Checkers (7 p.m.) -Bridgeport will rematch the Checkers for their fourth and final meeting at Bojangles Coliseum this season.
Saturday, Jan. 20 vs. Providence Bruins (7 p.m.) -The first 2,500 fans will receive a special edition bobblehead of New York Islanders draft pick and 2017 AHL All-Star, Devon Toews, courtesy of IBEW Local Union 488. In addition, the world-famous ZOOperstars! will be in attendance, performing their popular antics during each intermission. Great seats are on sale now!
Sunday, Jan. 21 vs. Toronto Marlies (5 p.m.) - "Sunday 4-Packs" highlight the only meeting of the season between the Sound Tigers and Marlies at Webster Bank Arena. Take advantage of four (4) great seats, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) soft drinks and four (4) fidget spinners for as low as $99. Call the Sound Tigers front office at 203-345-4813 or CLICK HERE to reserve yours. Sunday's game will feature the second and final matchup between Bridgeport and Toronto this season.
News and notes:
The Killers: Bridgeport's penalty kill has become one of the strongest and most consistent in the AHL this season and following a 4-for-4 performance against Providence on Saturday, it currently ranks second in the League at 87.9%. The Sound Tigers have only allowed 20 goals on 165 chances and are 18 for their last 18 over the last four games. In addition, Bridgeport's penalty kill is third in the AHL on the road at 89.9%.
Free Hockey: The Sound Tigers have gone past regulation in four of their last six games and are tied for eighth in the AHL with 11 overtime contests this season. Bridgeport is 3-4 when games end in overtime and 2-2 when a shootout is needed.
Nail Biters: Each of Bridgeport's three games last week were decided by just one tally and the team is now tied for third in the AHL with 20 one-goal outcomes this season. The Sound Tigers are 9-5-4-2 when games are decided by just one goal and five of their last six contests have been one-goal decisions.

Getting the Call: Fourth-year forward Kellen Jones and fifth-year defenseman Mike Cornellwere both recalled by the Sound Tigers on Sunday after spending the majority of the first half of the season with the team's ECHL affiliate, the Worcester Railers H.C. Jones ranked fourth on the Railers with 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 34 games, while Cornell is third on the club with 14 assists and tied for sixth overall with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists). Cornell also played one game with Bridgeport earlier this season, helping the Sound Tigers get to overtime against the Rochester Americans on Jan. 5. Both Jones and Cornell are expected to be in the lineup this week against the Charlotte Checkers.
Quick Hits: Sound Tigers leading scorer Tanner Fritzwas recalled by the Islanders for the second time this season on Sunday… Michael Dal Collebecame the third former Sound Tiger to make his NHL debut with the Islanders this season when he played against the New York Rangers last Saturday... Christopher Gibson is 6-1-2 over his last nine appearances... Gibson is 14th in the AHL with a 2.55 goals-against-average... Bridgeport has scored the first goal in 24 games this year, tied for second in the AHL (13-6-4-1)… Ross Johnston leads the AHL with 113 penalty minutes... Casey Baliey is fifth in the League with 119 shots.
Team leaders:
Goals:Scott Eansor (13)
Assists: Tanner Fritz (27)\
Points: Tanner Fritz (37)\
Plus/minus:Kyle Burroughs (+14)
Penalty minutes:Ross Johnston (113)
Power-play goals: Scott Eansor (5)
Shots: Casey Bailey (119)
\ = Currently playing with the New York Islanders*