Player Movement

The Sound Tigers have sent forward Jean Bourbeau down to the Odessa Jackalops of the Central Hockey League. Bourbeau has been playing great as of late and will be down to help Odessa in their playoff run. In 44 games Bourbeau has 3 goals and 5 assists while racking up 48 penalty minutes with the Sound Tigers.

Bourbeau fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOoWtTkh87Q

The Sound Tigers have sent forward Justin Taylor back to the Kalamazoo K-wings in the East Coast Hockey League. In 15 games with the Sound Tigers, Taylor has no points and 4 penalty minutes. Taylor has picked up his physical play a bit more as of late and he now will be able to help Kalamazoo in the playoffs. In the ECHL he averages a point a game with 42 points in 41 games.

Taylor scores goal in OHL to start the teddy bear toss:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m572Z66TGSU

The Sound Tigers have sent down goaltender Joel Martin to the Odessa Jackalops of the Central hockey League. In 18 games with the Sound Tigers, Martin is 2-12-2 with a 3.54 goals against average. Martin's last three games have all been great, giving his team a chance to win every time, so it's know wonder why he was returned to help Odessa in the playoffs.

Martin's goalie fight with Elmira in the ECHL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCIqJUS1CkM

The New York Islanders have signed 2008, 2nd round draft pick Aaron Ness to an Entry Level Contract that will commence at the start of next season. Ness, a defenseman, has also signed an ATO with the Sound Tigers. In 35 games this year with the University of Minnesota Ness has 2 goals and 12 assists with 41 penalty minutes.

Pretty impressive goal by Ness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFfqK4WkKRY

The Sound Tigers have Signed defenseman Artem Bidlevskii to an ATO. Bidlevskii has played 57 games for the Regina Pats this year in the Western Hockey League tallying only 3 goals and 6 assists but does have 140 penalty minutes.Bidlevskii interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ0ngAhWqxo&feature=related

The Sound Tigers have signed left wing Shayne Neigum to an ATO. Neigum has played with three teams this year in the Western Hockey League, most recently the Regina Pats. In 37 games with the Pats he has 10 goals and 4 assists with 108 penalty minutes.

Two good battles between both guys from Regina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNlyH-KcOAg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAazi0bAvcE&feature=related

Lawson and Martin both shine in three game weekend

The Sound Tigers had a tough weekend schedule but they managed to get at least one point in every game. One big thing I noticed was the poor officiating at the games this weekend. It was more evident than ever before, almost as thought they had it out for the Sound Tigers.

Sound Tigers 2, Charlotte Checkers 3 SO

For the second straight game, the Sound Tigers went to a shootout to decide the game. With no scoring in the first, both goalies had to come up big for their teams. In the first, Nathan Lawson made a couple key saves in the period to keep the game at zero. Charlotte out shot the Sound Tigers 12-9 in the first. The second saw Charlotte get on the board only 56 seconds in, as Jon Matsumoto put in a rebound on a five on three to make it 1-0. Four minutes into the third, Chris Terry put one past Lawson to make it 2-0. The Sound Tigers would respond with a power play goal of their own as Rhett Rakhshani beat Charlotte goaltender Mike Murphy with a one timer to make it 2-1. With time ticking down and on the penalty kill the Sound Tigers pulled Lawson. Justin Dibenedetto carried the puck down the wing and took a shot. Rob Hisey came in and backhanded one that got past Murphy to tie the game with only twenty two seconds to go, forcing overtime. Good chances in overtime made for some great hockey including some old fashion three on three. They would need a shootout to find a winner in this one. Charlotte's first shooter Zac Dalpe and Bridgeport's first Rob Hisey both tallied goals. The next two rounds went scoreless. Terry then scored for Charlotte to go up by one. After Lawson stopped Boychuk, David Ullstrom came down on Murphy and looked like he was going to pick the puck up on his blade but at the last moment slid it right through the goaltenders legs to even it up. Matsumoto then scored forcing Robin Figren to score to keep the game going but he could not beat Murphy. Charlotte won by a final of 3 to 2.

Shots: Bridgeport 37, Charlotte 37

Three Stars: 1.Matsumoto, 2.Hisey, 3.Terry

Attendance: 5,908

Sound Tigers 2, Manchester 1 OT

An incredible goal by Justin Dibenedetto in overtime lifted the Sound Tigers to a 2-1 victory over the Atlantic Division leading Manchester Monarchs. The first period looked almost identical to the one from last nights game, as there was no scoring in the first and the Sound Tigers were out played and out shot, making Nathan Lawson keep them in the game. Brent Gallant and Justin Johnson dropped the gloves and Gallant looked to have bested Johnson, hitting him with a couple good rights. In the second, Lawson was big, making a great kick save and stopping the puck right on the goal line later in the play. Manchester would score on the power play as a shot was blocked by Mark Wotton and bounced right to Bud Holloway who put it into the empty net, making it 1-0. Late in the third, the Sound Tigers would answer as Justin Dibenedetto jammed one through the legs of Manchester goaltender Martin Jones to make it 1-1. Brandon Svendsen stole the puck and came in on a breakaway but missed the net, once again making overtime necessary. Overtime gave us one of the best goals of the year and is in the running for best of all time, as Mark Katic took a shot from the point that hit a shin pad and bounced towards the net. Dibenedetto found the puck behind him and put it through his legs backwards. The puck went through Martin's legs and in the net winning the game for the Sound Tigers 3-2.

Shots:Bridgeport 27, Manchester 39

Three Stars: 1.Lawson, 2.Dibenedetto, 3.Jones

Attendance: 5,206

Sound Tigers 3, Binghamton Senators 4 OT

After being bumped around a bit the last two nights, Nathan Lawson got a rest, opening the door for Joel Martin to get another game in net. Seven minutes in, Binghamton would strike first as their captain Ryan Keller would come down on a breakaway and beat Martin to make it 1-0. it would stay that way until the second when Justin Dibenedetto got his own rebound and put it by Binghamton goaltender Barry Brust to make it 1-1. It wouldn't last long however, as on the power play Ryan Potulny put a one timer past Martin who had no chance on the play and made it 2-1. In the third, Jeremy Colliton found the lose puck behind Brust and slid it in to make it 2-2. The score would stay that way for just about three minutes as Keller would score his second of the night on the power play off a rebound to make it 3-2. The Sound Tigers had a flair for the dramatics this weekend as with twenty nine seconds left in the third, David Ullstrom tipped Mark Katic's shot in front into the net to make it 3-3 forcing overtime for a forth straight game. After a bad call by the official on Ullstrom, the Sound Tigers went a man down. On the man down Martin made a huge save and the rebound was knocked in by a high stick so the goal was called back. They killed a penalty but the pressure never let up and with forty six seconds left Kaspars Daugavins found the loose puck and put it into a the net past a splitting Martin who never had a chance, making the final score, Binghamton 4, Bridgeport 3 in overtime.

Shots: Binghamton 35, Bridgeport 30

Three Stars: 1.Daugavins, 2.Keller, 3.Ullstrom

Attendance: 3,699

Pre Games:Sound Tigers.vs.Charlotte/Manchester/Binghamton

It will be a busy weekend for the Sound Tigers, as they play Friday at 7pm against the Charlotte Checkers, Saturday at 7pm against the Manchester Monarchs, and Sunday at 6pm when they take on the Binghamton Senators.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers.vs.Charlotte Checkers:

The Sound Tigers will be looking for some revenge tonight as they go against the Charlotte Checkers for the second time in three days. It is also the last time these two teams will play this season. Looks like Nathan Lawson will start in goal tonight for Bridgeport. We will also see the pro debut of New York Islanders 2nd round pick in 2008 Aaron Ness, He will be wearing number 27. They will also get another boost as Dylan Reese and Tomas Marcinko will both be in tonight. Look for some tempers to flare tonight as the last game was a rough one. If Pogge plays in goal for Charlotte, it could add to things as well. Check out this link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Justin-Pogge-fights-Penguins-continues-d?urn=nhl-311415

Bridgeport Sound Tigers.vs.Manchester Monarchs:

Two teams going in opposite directions, thats how you can describe this one. Manchester is second in the AHL in points and leading the Atlantic division with 90 points while the Sound Tigers are dead last in the league with only 53 points. Coming into Friday the Monarchs are on a three game winning streak lead by there leading scorer Bud Holloway. The last time these two teams met, the Monarchs walked all over the Sound Tigers beating them handily 7-0. The Sound Tigers look to get back with a win on Saturday. Check out this fight between Brent Gallent and Justin Johnson from March 12th: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weM0DVcYyKo

Bridgeport Sound Tigers.vs.Binghamton Senators:

NOTE:Game time has change from 3pm to 6pm due to Fairfield Stags Basketball.

Binghamton is in a battle for a playoff spot and will becoming at the Sound Tigers with everything they have. With 75 points they currently sit in fifth place in their division, six points behind the Norfolk Admirals for forth place. A player having yet another outstanding season is Corey Locke, who is not only leading the Senators in points but leading the league as well with 76 points. The player closest to him is Andre Benoit who has 45 points. The Sound Tigers will need to find a way to shut him down. This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams. Here's a video of a goal by Locke from a couple years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1LaAFyQOL0

Sound Tigers to Charlotte fall in shootout 2-1

The Sound Tigers played even with the Charlotte Checkers bringing them into a shoot out but could not get it done as the team dropped their first of two games in a row against Charlotte by the score of 2-1.

Bridgeport came out strong to start the game, throwing 13 shots in the first period towards Charlotte goaltender, Mike Murphy who had to be sharp. Murphy made 30 saves in the game. Both teams had great scoring chances, but nothing came of them. In the second, things started to pick up a bit, as a big hit was thrown in the corner by Sound Tiger D-man Benn Olsen which led to a fight between Olsen and Charlotte's Zack Fitzgerald. Olsen looked like he got the best of Fitzgerald. The Sound Tigers radio announcer said it best, "Fitzgerald is a punching bag out there at center ice!" After the fight, it would be the Sound Tigers who would draw first blood on the power play, as Jeremy Colliton got a great pass from Rob Hisey in front and directed it past Murphy to make it 1-0. However, it wouldn't last long, when on a five on three power play Charlotte tied it as Chris Terry found the rebound on the door step and made it 1-1. Not too much in the third, although Justin Taylor saved the game for Bridgeport as the puck went through the legs of Bridgeport goaltender Joel Martin and onto the goal line. Martin had 27 saves in the loss. Taylor got there just in time to pull it off the goal line and keep the score tied at one. After sixty minutes of play the score was still knotted at one and they would need overtime. Both teams had quality chances to end the game in overtime but it remand tied. In the shootout the first two shooters from both teams, Robin Figren and Rob Hisey for Bridgeport and Matthew Pistilli and and Zach Dalpe failed to score. After that, Rhett Rakhshani and Jacob MicFlickier scored to bring the shootout to 1-1. Tony Romano then failed to score while Charlotte's Chris Terry beat Joel Martin. Justin Dibenedetto couldn't beat Murphy as he shot high over the net securing the Charlotte win 2-1.

3 Stars:

1. CHA - 25 Chris Terry
2. BRI - 49 Joel Martin
3. CHA - 31 Mike Murphy

Attendance: 2554

Pre Game: Sound Tigers.vs.Charlotte Checkers

Bridgeport Sound Tigers.vs. Charlotte Checkers

7pm, Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard

The Sound Tigers look to keep their winning ways going tonight as they face off against the Charlotte Checkers tonight. This is also the first time in Sound Tiger history that Charlotte will play at Webster Bank Arena.

Facts:

Bridgeport comes into tonights game on a high note as they beat the Providence Bruins 5-1. However, it was a tough road trip for the Sound Tigers as they would go 1-4-0-1. With the win on Sunday, the Sound Tigers also snapped an eight game losing streak. They have received some much needed help from the Islanders, as goaltender Nathan Lawson and forward Justin Dibenedetto have been sent back down to Bridgeport.

Charlotte will start their own road trip tonight in Bridgeport, they will play the Sound Tigers again on Friday night, before playing Syracuse and Wilkes Barre Scranton to end the trip. The Checkers are coming off of a tough 3-1 loss to the Binghamton Senators who the Sound Tigers will play on Sunday.

History:

The Sound Tigers and the Checkers have only met twice this season and both games went to the Checkers. Charlotte has won both games by outscoring the Tigers 6-1 and 6-5. Four different goalies played in the two games. Nathan Lawson played Justin Pogge and Kevin Poulin played Mike Murphy.

Stats:

Bridgeport sits last in the league with 52 points. 13 behind the Providence Bruins for sixth in the Atlantic Division.

Charlotte is in forth in the division and right now is in the playoff race with 80 points.

Leading Scorers:

Bridgeport: Rakhshani 16 goals, Rakhshani 29 assists, Rakhshani 45 points, Haley 144 Pims, Hisey -3.

Charlotte: Samson 26 goals, Rodney 30 assists, Samson 54 points,

Fitzgerald 180 Pims, Jordan +14

We are Back!

Sorry for the time the blog has been down, last couple of months have been busy. We will be with you from now on.

Fan Support

One thing that Ive noticed over the past couple season is the lack of support the fans give the team when they are down. It's one thing to be angry or disappointed with the play of your team but to start yelling because you think someone isn't playing well is unbelievable. I realize that some people who are into hockey don't get all the things that go on and thats okay but don't yell about it if you don't get it.

For example, in the game against Portland the other night, a couple people were yelling to pull Koskinen and giving sarcastic applause when he made a save. Thats uncalled for in a game like that. Koskinen stood on his head, by the time he was pulled he had seen 41 shots and hadn't gotten any help in the game at all. Most of the time players can't hear you but on a Wednesday game with half the people they usually get there, sometimes they do. It makes it feel like it's a road game for them and which makes it that much harder to come back. Even if they can't, people who are attending the game for the first time are going to think that the the team and it's fans are terrible.

Another example is the treatment people gave Nathan Lawson. Last year he played extremely well and everyone loved him and at the start of this year he comes out and is playing well but the team isn't in front of him, but people blame and ridicule him. Now, he is playing well and people like him again. Last night in Edmonton, Lawson was pulled for two goals on defensive break downs that were not his fault. People will go on and say he played terrible or doesn't deserve to be up there or that Poulin should start ahead of him, but once he plays again and does well, everyone jumps on the band wagon and says they love him.

Some people think that the players should be able to take it, and for the most part they probably can. The fact of the matter is, it can be disturbing for other fans who appreciate the good saves, and the bad goals. Also, most people don't like coming into an environment like that. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are looking to bring in new fans and keep them. We don't want all of that work to go to waste just because we need to ridicule our own team. We're there to support, and we should be supportive. Fans need to support players and the team through the good and bad. It is just frustrating to see that some fans can't support the players and the team when they're down or not playing well, because thats the time when they need it the most.

Sound Tigers fall apart in second, lose 5-3 to Portland

The Sound Tigers lost their second straight game last night, falling to the Portland Pirates 5-3. The game was even until the second, where the Sound Tigers came out flat and left goaltender Mikko Koskinen out to dry for the rest of the game.

The first period had one of the best fights of the season so far as Micheal Haley dropped the gloves with Portland's Corey Tropp. Both combatants threw some pretty good shots, with Haley getting the take down as Tropp lost an edge. As Haley skated away he was bleeding from the left side of his face and it covered the shoulder of his jersey, The only goal in the first came from Sound Tiger defenseman Marc Katic. Katic caught a pass from Brandon Svendsen and fired one towards the net that went past a screened Enroth and into the net to make it 1-0. Shots were 9 to 8 in the period in favor of Portland.

Portland took total control of the game as the second period wore on. With Mark Wotton in the box for goaltender interference, Portland's Paul Byron found the lose puck in front of the net after a blocked shot by Wes O'Neill and put it past a splitting Koskinen and the game was tied 1-1. About a minute later Maxime Legault took a shot using a Sound Tiger defenseman as a screen that beat Koskinen to make it 2-1 Portland. Just about two minutes Svendsen intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and was off to the races. On a breakaway Svendsen was stopped but with Enroth laid out in the crease, Svendsen found the lose puck and put it in to make it 2-2. Another screen gave Portland the lead again, as Justin Bowers put one past a screened Koskinen to make it 3-2. The Sound Tigers were out played in all aspects in the second except on the scoreboard. Portland out shot the Sound Tigers 19 to 12.

In the third period, the Sound Tigers came out with good offensive pressure but still were no where to be found in their own zone. Portland came out and midway through the third, scored two goals in a four minute span. Portland's T.J. Brennan found himself all alone in front of the net as he caught a pass and put it past Koskinen to make it 4-2. Then, Mark Mancari on the power play fired one through four players and into the net, 5-2. Koskinen never had a chance on the shot. From where I sit, even with Koskinen standing at 6'7 you couldn't even see him through the maze of players. Koskinen was pulled from the game and in came Joel Martin for his first appearance with the Sound Tigers. The Sound Tigers had a last ditch effort to come back as Mark Wotton threw one to the the net from behind the goal line and hit off of Enroth's skate and in to make it 5-3, but thats as close as it would get. The Sound Tigers out shot Portland 15-13 in the third.

Kevin Poulin called up to Islanders, Could back up Lawson if DiPietro can't play

The New York Islanders have recalled goaltender Kevin Poulin from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Poulin is being called up for former Sound Tiger turned Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro. In last nights game against Calgary, DiPietro went into a split to make a save and was immediately in pain. Although he managed to keep the puck out until a whistle, he was taken out for precautionary measures and replaced by one of Poulin's goaltending buddies in Bridgeport, Nathan Lawson. DiPietro has been declared day to day with an abductor strain.

Poulin has been called up to practice with the team while DiPietro recovers. If DiPietro is not in good enough shape to back up Lawson, Poulin will dress and back him up when they play Edmonton on Thursday.

In 14 games so far this season for the Sound Tigers, Poulin has a 10-4-0 recored. Best out of the three goaltenders with the Sound Tigers. He ranks 8th in the AHL in goals against average with a 2.13 and 7th in the AHL in save percentage with a 0.931.

Brandon Svendsen signs second PTO, while Chris Blight is released

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have left winger Brandon Svendsen to a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO). This is Svendsen's second time signing a PTO with the Sound Tigers this year. When his contract expired over the weekend the Sound Tigers quickly got him to sign back. In 25 games this season with the Sound Tigers, Svendsen has 4 goals and 4 assists.

The Sound Tigers have also released right winger Chris Blight from his Professional Tryout Contract (PTO). In 13 games with the Sound Tigers Blight has 1 goal and 3 assists with 19 shots on goal.

Sound Tigers lose defensively dominated game to Providence 2-1

The Sound Tigers dropped their first game of 2011 in a tough 2-1 loss against the Providence Bruins. A defensive game that didn't see to many shots, tested both teams to make the most of the opportunities.

Providence would get on the board first, as Yury Alexandrov shot one to the net for his fifth of the season and made it 1-0. The puck seemed to have hit off a leg in front and bounced in past goaltender Mikko Koskinen. Worcester had six shots to the Sound Tigers seven in the period.

In the second, the Sound Tigers would strike. With Providence's David Ling in the box for tripping, David Ullstrom threw the puck to the net where Micheal Haley found the lose puck in front and put it top shelf tying the game 1-1. The power play has been on fire as of late, although it could not produce later in the game when they needed it. Sound Tigers led the period in shots 8 to 4.

The third saw the most offensive out of all three periods. A little over five minutes into the third, the Bruins would once again take the lead. Former Sound Tiger Jeremy Reich caught a pass in the slot and made a great move around Koskinen, then slid it into the net to make it 2-1. The Sound Tigers would try hard to get it back but would come up short. The best chance they had was when Brandon Svendsen found himself wide open in front but missed the net high. Providence would hold on to win the game. Providence had 11 shots to the Sound Tigers 7.

3 Stars:

#1.Jeremy Reich-PRO

#2.Micheal Haley-BST

#3.Zach Hamill-PRO

Nathan Lawson called up to Islanders as Roloson traded to Tampa

The New York Islanders have called up goaltender Nathan Lawson from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers today after trading veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson to the Tampa Bay Lighting for defenseman Ty Wishart.

So far this season Lawson has played 10 games with the Sound Tigers going 3-4-2. He has a 0.898 save percentage and a 3.49 goals against average. He has played well so far this year, carrying the team on nights were the Sound Tigers didn't come out to play.

Lawson has been called up once already this season and played in one game. Nate faced the Phoenix Coyotes in his National Hockey League debut and played extremely well making 32 saves in a losing effort 4-3 in a shoot out.

New York Islanders acquire Ty Wishart from Tampa Bay, assigned to Bridgeport

The New York Islanders have acquired former 16th overall draft pick in 2006 Ty Wishart from the Tampa Bay Lighting in return for veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson.

Wishart was a stand out defenseman in the Western Hockey League with the Prince George Cougars and Moose Jaw Warriors. His 2007-08 campaign saw him lead all WHL defenseman in points with 67. He also was called up and played five games with the Worcester Sharks.

In 2008 Wishart was traded by San Jose to Tampa Bay in a multiple player deal which included Matt Carle, Dan Boyle, and Brad Lukowich. He was then sent down to Norfolk in the AHL. He tallied 7 points and was called up for five games with Tampa, where he recored 1 assist. In 2009, Wishart played with Norfolk where he scored 9 goals and had 23 assists for 32 points.

So far this season, Wishart has 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 points this season. When he joins the Sound Tigers he will be second in points on the team. He should give the Sound Tigers a good boost on the blue line and another weapon on an already strong power play.