Preview: Islanders vs. Senators
Feb 23, 2023THE STORY COMING IN
The Bridgeport Islanders (22-19-7-1) open a season-long, six-game homestand tonight when they welcome the Belleville Senators (20-25-4-1) to Total Mortgage Arena at 7 p.m. The Islanders are looking for their fourth straight win (would match a season high) after sweeping a trio of Atlantic Division rivals last weekend, including a 2-1 victory against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on the road Sunday. Chris Terry and Ruslan Iskhakov each scored in the first period and Jakub Skarek (8-11-3) provided clutch goaltending after that. The Islanders are seventh in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Wolf Pack with two games in hand.
"DOLLAR DAYS"
Tonight is the first of two "Dollar Days”, a new concession promotion, featuring $1 beers and $1 hot dogs courtesy of Evolution Gaming. Each deal will be available throughout the concourse tonight and Thursday, Mar. 2nd against the Providence Bruins, beginning when doors open at 6 p.m. and running through the conclusion of the second intermission. 16 oz. cans available for just $1 include Coors Light, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, Corona, and Heineken. Total Mortgage Arena is also a proud supplier of Hummel-brand hot dogs.
TICKETS: Available now!
LISTEN: https://bit.ly/BridgeportIslanders
WATCH: AHLTV.com
GAME AT A GLANCE
Tonight’s game is the first of two meetings between the Islanders and B-Sens this season, and the only matchup at Total Mortgage Arena. They will meet again in Belleville, Ontario on Mar. 24th. Bridgeport went 0-2-0-0 against Belleville last season with both games ending in regulation by a 3-2 count. In fact, the Ottawa Senators’ affiliate has won each of the last four meetings. Bridgeport’s last victory came on Mar. 23, 2019 when Steve Bernier and Scott Eansor scored in a 2-1 win at home.
VIEW FROM BELLEVILLE
The Senators begin a three-game road trip through the Atlantic Division after hosting Laval three times in four days over the holiday weekend. Belleville won 5-3 on Friday and 5-4 in OT on Saturday, but lost its most recent game on Monday, 7-2. Roby Jarventie had both Sens’ goals, while Antonie Bibeau took the loss and was pulled after just 8:30, allowing three goals on seven shots. Logan Flodell ended the night with 22 saves on 26 shots. Jarventie has four goals in his last two games with back-to-back multi- goal performances. Angus Crookshank leads Belleville with 19 goals, while AHL All-Star Egor Sokolov has a team-high 42 points and 28 assists. The Senators are last in the Eastern Conference with just 45 points in 50 games. They have lost four straight on the road.
LEADING THE WAY
Chris Terry leads all players in the Atlantic Division with 49 points (16g, 33a) in 44 games, sharing 11th in the AHL’s scoring race overall. His 16th goal of the season came just 39 seconds into Sunday’s win against the Penguins - Bridgeport’s quickest goal to start a game this season. The 33-year-old veteran registered his team-leading 13th multi-point performance, and his first four-point effort of the year last Friday in Hartford, all while playing his 900th professional game between the NHL, AHL and KHL. Terry has 12 points (5g, 7a) in his last eight games and is 32nd on the AHL’s all-time scoring list (662 points).
CROSSING THE SOUND
Andy Andreoff, who continues to lead Bridgeport with 20 goals this season, has returned from the New York Islanders where he recorded one assist in three recent NHL games. He swapped places with Otto Koivula, who was recalled by New York on Wednesday and played in last night’s 2-1 victory against Winnipeg. In addition to Koivula, forward Arnaud Durandeau remains with the big club after earning his first career recall on Sunday and making his NHL debut in Monday’s 4-2 win at Pittsburgh. Durandeau became the sixth Bridgeport player to make his NHL debut this season (most since 2013-14) and was the 13th player to appear in at least one game for both teams in 2022-23.
QUICK HITS
The Islanders are facing a North Division opponent for the first time since their 1-0 overtime win against Rochester on Jan. 20th... Bridgeport is 2-3-1-0 against the North this season and 20-16-6-1 within the Atlantic... Tonight is Bridgeport’s first game on a Thursday this season… Belleville is the last new opponent that Bridgeport will face this season… The Islanders are looking for their first regulation win at home since Nov. 30th (4-3 vs. Providence).
AFFILIATES
New York Islanders (30-24-7): Last 2-1 W vs. Winnipeg, last night -- Next: Tomorrow vs. Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. ET
Worcester Railers (25-23-3-0): Last: 3-1 L at Greenville, last night -- Next: Tomorrow at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. ET