The Bridgeport Report: Week 21

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (25-22-5-3), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, recorded two points in three games last week as the club faced the Providence Bruins and Charlotte Checkers - the two teams its directly chasing in the Atlantic Division standings. Bridgeport is seven points behind Charlotte for the division's final playoff spot with 21 games remaining in the regular season.

Following setbacks on Friday and Saturday, the Sound Tigers bounced back with a 1-0 victory against the Checkers on Sunday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena, led by a dominating performance from Islanders prospect Kristers Gudlevskis (7-10-5). The Latvian goaltender turned aside a season-high 39 shots, including 16 in the third period, to earn his third shutout of the year and Bridgeport's sixth as a team. Offensively,Kellen Jones scored the game's only tally with an unassisted goal in second period.

It was a big response for the Sound Tigers who suffered a 2-1 loss to Charlotte just one day prior, despite Kyle Burroughs' fifth goal of the season less than three minutes into the contest. It put Bridgeport on top first for the fourth straight game, but Julien Gauthier scored twice for the visitors. Between the pipes, Eamon McAdam(0-1-0) made 19 saves in his first AHL start of the season after stopping 15 shots in relief on Friday.
Connor Jones, Casey Bailey and Kane Lafranchise all found the back of the net in Friday's setback to Providence, while Jones (one goal, one assist) and Josh Ho-Sang (two assists) each recorded a multi-point effort in the 5-3 final. It was Bridgeport's first regulation loss in five trips to Rhode Island this season (3-1-0-1).
The Sound Tigers hit the highway this week and open a four-game road trip with matchups against the Rochester Americans (27-15-8-6) Laval Rocket (21-26-6-2) and Belleville Senators (21-32-1-3). 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:
Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Rochester Americans (7:05 p.m.) - The Sound Tigers visit Blue Cross Arena for the second and final time this season with a mid-week matchup against the Rochester Americans. Bridgeport is 0-1-1-0 against Rochester this season, including a 3-2 overtime loss on the road Jan. 5. Anthony Beauvillier scored both goals for the Sound Tigers that night, while Brendan Guhle netted the overtime-winner.
Friday, Mar. 2 at Laval Rocket (7:30 p.m.) - The Sound Tigers make their inaugural trek to Place Bell in Laval, Que. for their second and final meeting against the Laval Rocket. Bridgeport hasn't faced Laval since its home opener on Oct. 21, in which Scott Eansor scored twice and Travis St. Denis added a tally in a 6-3 loss at Webster Bank Arena.
Saturday, Mar. 3 at Belleville Senators (7 p.m.) -Less than 24 hours after Bridgeport's first trip to Place Bell, the club will also visit Belleville's Yardmen Arena for the first time on Saturday. It will mark the second and final matchup between the Sound Tigers and Belleville Senators following Bridgeport's 3-1 victory on Feb. 3. Ben Holmstrom scored twice for the Sound Tigers that evening.

News and notes: Road Trippin':The Sound Tigers open a four-game road trip on Wednesday (tied for their longest of the season) that runs through Friday, Mar. 9. Bridgeport is 9-11-4-1 away from Webster Bank Arena this season and is looking to turn a corner after dropping each of its last six road games (0-4-1-1), dating back to Jan. 16. Thirteen of the club's final 21 games will take place on the road, including nine of the team's 13 games during the month of March.
The Loneliest Number: Bridgeport's narrow victory over Charlotte on Sunday was the team's fifth 1-0 game this season (3-2) and its fourth since Jan. 21. The Sound Tigers played three 1-0 games last season and only 10 over the last 10 seasons combined. Bridgeport now ranks fifth in the AHL in goals against per game (2.65) and continues to pace the League in shots against per game (26.13). The Sound Tigers are 15-1-0-1 when allowing one or fewer goals this season and 12-9-5-3 in one-goal decisions.
Keeping Eligible:The New York Islanders loaned Tanner Fritz, Sebastian Aho and Christopher Gibson to Bridgeport just before 3 p.m. on Monday in a paper transaction to maintain their AHL eligibility for the remainder of the season. Each player was then recalled by the Islanders shortly after. The most notable name not on the list was forward Ross Johnston, who recorded 11 points (three goals, eight assists) and 113 penalty minutes in 38 games with the Sound Tigers this season. Johnston was recalled by the Islanders on Jan. 19 and has five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 NHL games this season. He is no longer eligible to play with the Sound Tigers in 2017-18.
Quick Hits:Kristers Gudlevskis is two games shy of his 200th professional appearance… Casey Bailey is three games away from his 200th pro contest… Steve Bernier is three games shy of his 800th pro appearance… Bridgeport's power play is 0-for-21 over the last six games, but its penalty kill is 17-for-19 during that span… The Sound Tigers' penalty kill is third in the AHL at 85.8%.

Team leaders:
Goals:Scott Eansor (16)
Assists:Tanner Fritz (27)\
Points:Tanner Fritz (37)\
Plus/minus: Kyle Burroughs (+14)
Penalty minutes:Ross Johnston* (113)
Power-play goals: Scott Eansor, Casey Bailey (6)
Shots:Casey Bailey (159)
* = Currently playing with the New York Islanders