Recap: Islanders 5, Phantoms 0
Jan 12, 2025Behind Henrik Tikkanen’s first career AHL shutout, the Bridgeport Islanders (8-22-2-2), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, earned their largest victory of the season and knocked off the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (17-14-5-3) in a 5-0 win at Total Mortgage Arena on Sunday.
Tikkanen (2-7-0) blocked all 21 shots he faced to secure his second shutout overall this season, with the first coming Nov. 11 as a member of the Worcester Railers (ECHL).
Chris Terry recorded two goals and one assist, extending his point streak to four games. Liam Foudy and Brian Pinho both scored once and added a helper, while Gemel Smith also found the back of the net. The win snapped Bridgeport’s 12-game skid at Total Mortgage Arena, as the team opened a four-game homestand that runs through next Saturday, Jan. 18.
Foudy struck first with the eventual winner and the game’s only power-play goal just 7:48 into the contest. Brendan Furry was sent to the box for interference and the Islanders benefited when Foudy notched his 10th goal of the season and second on the man advantage. Calle Odelius sent a pass to Foudy above the left circle, where he sniped a perfect shot into the top-right corner past goalie Cal Petersen (9-11-3). Tyce Thompson collected the secondary assist.
Bridgeport dominated the remainder of the contest, including two goals in the second and third periods. At 4:40 of the second, Terry redirected Marshall Warren’s shot to create chaos near the crease. Pinho recovered the puck on the right side of the net and slipped home his team-leading 17th goal of the season.
Just 6:14 later, Pinho gathered the puck off the end-boards and backhanded a pass out to Alex Jefferies, where he served up Terry for his first of two goals in the game. Terry snapped a quick shot into the top-left corner to the net, giving the Islanders a 3-0 lead.
Bridgeport added insurance late in the third period with two goals in a 2:21 span to solidify its first win of 2025. At the 16:37 mark, Marc Gatcomb drove to the net and tried to wedge a shot through Petersen's five-hole, but his attempt was initially stopped. However, the rebound was gathered by Smith who buried it for a 4-0 margin.
Terry put the finishing touches on a terrific performance with an unassisted, breakaway tally at 18:58, his seventh goal of the season and team-leading 29th point. It caused Petersen to break his stick over his own goal post out of frustration.
Bridgeport's power play went 1-for-2, while the penalty kill stopped all four Lehigh Valley opportunities. The Islanders led in shots, 29-21.
The Islanders lead the season series 1-0-0-0.
Next Time Out: The Islanders continue a four-game homestead on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds at Total Mortgage Arena. The game can be heard for free via the Bridgeport Islanders Radio Network or seen live on AHLTV on FloHockey, beginning with the Connecticut Lottery Pregame Countdown at 6:45 p.m.