Game Day: Islanders vs. Bruins
Dec 11, 2024THE STORY COMING IN
The Bridgeport Islanders (5-14-2-2) battle the Providence Bruins (11-10-2-0) in a home-and-home series this week, beginning tonight at 7 p.m. inside Total Mortgage Arena. The Atlantic Division rivals will meet again Friday night in Rhode Island, which completes a stretch of three straight games against one another. The Islanders let an early two-goal lead get away in a 6-3 loss to the Bruins on the road last Saturday. Brian Pinho, Marshall Warren, and Chris Terry each scored, while Henrik Tikkanen (0-2-0) made 22 saves. It was his second start in the AHL this season and first since Nov. 9th, also against Providence. Bridgeport is looking to a snap a season-long five-game slide (0-4-1-0), and seven-game skid at home (0-5-0-2), as they return to action tonight.
Watch tonight's game live: AHLTV on FloHockey
Listen to tonight's radio broadcast: Mixlr
ISLANDERS VS. BRUINS
Tonight is the fifth of 12 meetings between the Islanders and Bruins this season, and the third of six in Connecticut. Providence has won each of the first four meetings in regulation, including twice at Total Mortgage Arena on Oct. 12th (3-2) and Nov. 9th (8-4). Marc Gatcomb leads all Islanders’ players in the series with four points (3g, 1a). He scored two goals in their last clash in Bridgeport on Nov. 9th.
VIEW FROM PROVIDENCE
Boston’s affiliate has won three in a row for the second time this season, moving above .500 for the first time in two weeks. The Bruins are fifth in the Atlantic Division, one point behind Charlotte, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Springfield (although each of those teams have at least one game in hand). Six different players scored a goal in their 6-3 win against the Islanders on Saturday, then Providence cruised to a 5-0 win against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday. Matt Poitras, who played 14 games with the Boston Bruins to begin the season, scored a goal for the third straight game, while Vinni Lettieri extended his point streak to four games (1g, 5a). Lettieri leads Providence with 21 points (10g, 11a) in 23 games, which shares 14th in the AHL’s scoring race. Goalie Mike DiPietro (7-4-2), who made 24 saves against Bridgeport on Saturday, ranks seventh in the AHL with a 2.22 goals-against-average.
BITING BACK AT THE BRUINS
Alex Jefferies recorded his second consecutive multi-point game with two assists against the Bruins on Saturday. Jefferies has three assists in four games against Providence this season, and four points in five career games against the Bruins (1g, 3a). In addition, the 23-year-old carries a four-game scoring streak into tonight’s contest, which matches his career long. Jefferies shares 10th among AHL rookies with 15 points (5g, 10a) in 19 appearances.
TERRY HEATS UP
Chris Terry also has back-to-back multi-point performances, and five points (2g, 3a) in his last three games combined. The Brampton, Ont. native leads the Islanders in scoring for the first time this year with 20 points (3g, 17a). His 17 assists are tied for third most in the AHL. In addition, Terry scored his 60th career goal with Bridgeport on Saturday, tying Trent Hunter for ninth place on the team’s all-time list. He is fourth all-time in scoring (159 points) and fifth in helpers (99), one assist behind Aaron Ness.
QUICK HITS
After scoring his team-leading 12th goal of the season in Providence on Saturday, Brian Pinho is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals... He continues to lead the league in shorthanded goals (3)... Travis Mitchell leads all AHL defensemen in shooting percentage (4-for-17, 23.5%)... Samuel Bolduc (24) and Wyatt Newpower (27) both celebrated birthdays this past Monday.
AFFILIATES
New York Islanders (11-12-7): Last: 3-1 L vs. Los Angeles, last night -- Tomorrow vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m. ET
Worcester Railers (9-12-1-1): Last: 4-3 OTL vs. Norfolk, Sunday -- Next: Tonight vs. Reading, 7:05 p.m. ET