Game Day: Islanders vs. Wolf Pack
Apr 12, 2025
THE STORY COMING IN
The Bridgeport Islanders (15-46-4-3) host the Hartford Wolf Pack (28-32-7-2) for the second straight game, facing their in-state rival to kick off ‘Fan Appreciation Weekend’ at 7 p.m. The Wolf Pack edged the Islanders in a 3-2 final at Total Mortgage Arena on Wednesday, despite two goals from rookie forward Joey Larson - the first two goals of his professional career. Chris Terry chipped in a power-play assist at 1:54 of the third period to become Bridgeport’s all-time leading scorer (204 points), passing Jeremy Colliton who had held the record since 2012. The Islanders, who will host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in their home finale tomorrow afternoon, are looking to snap a three-game slide this evening (0-3-0-0).
Watch live: AHLTV on FloHockey
Listen to the radio broadcast: Mixlr
ISLANDERS VS. WOLF PACK
Tonight’s game is the ninth of 10 meetings between the Islanders and Wolf Pack this season, and the last of five at Total Mortgage Arena. They will meet one final time at XL Center next Friday, Apr. 18. Bridgeport is 2-4-2-0 against Hartford including back-to-back wins on Oct. 20 (4-0) and Nov. 24 (4-1). However, the Wolf Pack have taken each of the last five matchups dating back to Dec. 4. Hartford’s captain, Alex Belzile, leads all players in the series with 13 points (4g, 9a) in eight games. He has points in six straight meetings, including a hat trick on Dec. 4.
VIEW FROM HARTFORD
The Wolf Pack have lost five of their last six games (1-2-2-0), and have been eliminated from playoff contention. Hartford is seventh in the Atlantic Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference (65 points in 69 games). Last night, the Wolf Pack suffered a 6-2 loss against the Providence Bruins at home, despite goals from Anton Blidh and Adam Sykora. It was Sykora’s first goal in 35 games (since Jan. 10) as well as Blidh’s 18th of the season, tying him for the team lead along with Dylan Roobroeck and Alex Belzile. Roobroeck had two goals against the Islanders on Wednesday, including his third career game winner. After tonight’s game, the Wolf Pack have just two left on the season.
TERRY STANDS ALONE
Chris Terry has more points than any other player in Bridgeport hockey history. The veteran forward, in his third season with the Islanders, recorded one assist against Hartford on Wednesday to pass Jeremy Colliton with 204 career points (76g, 128a) in 194 games. He set the franchise record for assists last Saturday against Charlotte. Colliton notched his last points for Bridgeport with a pair of goals on Mar. 4, 2012. Terry is a five-time AHL All-Star and the League’s active all-time leader in goals (330) and points (806). He enters tonight’s game with a team-leading 46 assists and 65 points in 66 games this season, which ranks second and fourth in the AHL, respectively.
TWO GAMES, THREE POINTS
Michigan State University product Joey Larson scored his first two professional goals in just his second pro game on Wednesday. The 24-year-old is up to three points after recording an assist in his pro debut last Saturday. Larson signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders on Mar. 31, which begins next season, and is currently playing with Bridgeport on an AHL deal for the remainder of this year. He had 24 points (10g, 14a) in 37 games as a junior at Michigan State earlier this season.
BRIDGEPORT SIGNS SEMPTIMPHELTER
The Bridgeport Islanders signed 22-year-old goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) this morning. Semptimphelter completed a four-year college career at the University of North Dakota earlier this season, going 18-11-2 with a 2.64 GAA and .910 save percentage in 31 games. He also spent two seasons at Arizona State University and one season at Northeastern. The Marlton, New Jersey native will wear #60.
AFFILIATES
New York Islanders (34-33-11): Last: 9-2 L vs. New York Rangers, Wednesday -- Next: Today at Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m. ET
Worcester Railers (34-29-3-5): Last: 4-3 SOL at Reading, last night -- Next: Tonight at Reading, 7 p.m. ET