The Bridgeport Report: Week 6

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (6-7-0-0), proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, fired 88 shots in just two games last week, but fell short in a pair of losses to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (9-4-0-2) and Hartford Wolf Pack (6-7-1-1).
The Sound Tigers hosted their first of two school-day games on Wednesday morning against Lehigh Valley and suffered a 4-2 setback, despite scoring twice on 19 shots in the opening frame. The loss snapped Bridgeport's three-game win streak in front of 8,008 fans at Webster Bank Arena. Sebastian Aho stayed red hot with his sixth goal of the season and fifth in four games, while Steve Bernier also scored a power-play tally in the first 20 minutes. Kristers Gudlevskismade 23 saves for the Sound Tigers.

Former Hartford captain Ryan Bourquescored his first goal of the season against his former team on Saturday, but the visitors came out on top in a 2-1 decision at Webster Bank Arena. Wolf Pack netminder Alexandar Georgiev was sensational from start to finish, making a career-high 43 saves as the Sound Tigers fired 44 shots on target for the second consecutive outing. Bridgeport is now 2-1-0-0 against Hartford this season.

The Sound Tigers continue their 2017-18 campaign this week with three games, beginning Wednesday night with a 7 p.m. rematch against Hartford at the XL Center. The action shifts back to Bridgeport this weekend with a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader against the Charlotte Checkers and Springfield Thunderbirds, respectively. Great seats for both games are on sale now and fans can also follow all of the upcoming action online through 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, Nov. 15 at Hartford Wolf Pack (7 p.m.):The Sound Tigers travel to the XL Center for their fourth of 10 matchups against their in-state rivals this season.
Saturday, Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte Checkers (7 p.m.): The Sound Tigers host their newest division rival for the first time since Mar. 18, 2011. Bridgeport is 1-1-0-0 against Charlotte this season after splitting a two-game series in North Carolina in mid-October. Doors open at 6 p.m. and great seats are still available.
Sunday, Nov. 19 vs. Springfield Thunderbirds (3 p.m.): Sunday 4-Packs are available as the Sound Tigers host Springfield for the second time this season. Get four (4) tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and four (4) fidget spinners for as low as $99. Call 203-345-2300 to reserve yours or click here for great seats!
News and notes:
Shot Through the Heart: The Sound Tigers have recorded a season-high 44 shots in each of their last two games, climbing to third in the AHL with more than 32 shots/game on average. Devon Toews leads the club with 15 shots during that span, while Casey Bailey paces the Sound Tigers overall this season with 42. Bridgeport has outshot its opponents in 11 of 13 games year and all six of the team's wins have come when logging at least 30 shots on goal.
Aho-ly Moly: Sebastian Aho became the first Sound Tigers defenseman to ever record a hat trick when he scored three times in Providence on Nov. 5. He added another tally last Wednesday and now leads all AHL blue-liners with six goals this season. In addition, Aho is tied for the league lead in game-winning goals (three), is tied for seventh among AHL defensemen with nine points (six goals, three assists) and ranks second on the Sound Tigers in scoring. Aho, who rolls into tonight's game with five points in his last three games, was selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Going Streaking: Ryan Bourque and Steve Berniereach enter this week's action on a three-game point streak, and Tanner Fritz has recorded five points (one goal, four assists) in his last four contests. Fritz currently leads the team in assists (seven), points (12) and multi-point games (five) and Bernier is tied for the team lead in goals (seven).
Quick hits: Bridgeport's penalty kill is 22-for-23 (95.7%) over its last five outings… Six of the Sound Tigers last 13 goals have been scored by defensemen... Christopher Gibson is 11th in the AHL with a 2.32 goals-against-average... Gibson is two appearances from tying Stephon Williams (2015-17) for seventh place on the team's all-time games played list for netminders... Ross Johnston is tied for the league lead with 51 penalty minutes... Scott Eansor is tied for third among rookie goal-scorers (seven).
Team leaders
Goals: Scott Eansor, Steve Bernier (7)
Assists:Tanner Fritz (9)
Points:Tanner Fritz (12)
Plus/minus:Kyle Burroughs (+9)
Penalty minutes: Ross Johnston (51)
Power-play goals: Scott Eansor, Sebastian Aho, Steve Bernier (2)
Shots: Casey Bailey (42)