Sound Tigers Kept Quiet in 4-0 Loss to T-Birds
Jan 10, 2020The Bridgeport Islanders (13-21-4-1), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, suffered a 4-0 loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds (21-16-2-0) on Friday night at the MassMutual Center.
Springfield scored once at even strength, once on the power play, once shorthanded and added one empty-netter. Joel Lowry had two for the T-Birds, while Paul Thompson and Dryden Hunt also contributed. Between the pipes, Samuel Montembeault (4-4-1) recorded a 31-save shutout for the home team.
It was the first time Bridgeport had been blanked since Nov. 22 against Providence and the fourth time overall this season.
Lowry opened the scoring at 16:13 of the first period with his fifth goal of the season, funneled through a textbook screen by Rodrigo Abols. Lowry skated slowly through the right circle and waited for Abols to step in front of goaltender Jared Coreau, before he filtered a low wrist shot between the leg pads.
Lowry’s second of the night came at 16:17 of the middle frame, this time shorthanded. With Jonathan Ang in the box for tripping, the Sound Tigers tested Montembeault with several top-notch opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize before the T-Birds answered in transition. Jack Rodewald was stoned on a breakaway by Coreau’s right pad at first, but Rodewald led another charge shortly after, this time two-on-one. Rodewald played a pass left-to-right across the crease and Lowry forced it home at the back door.
Thompson’s power-play tally at 8:26 of the third period extended Springfield’s lead to 3-0. Hunt missed the net with a shot, which jumped off the end wall, and Owen Tippett followed with a slap shot from the right circle. Coreau answered that blast with a save, but the rebound fell to the crease where Thompson directed it home for his 11th goal of the season.
The Thunderbirds capped the scoring in the final 22 seconds with Hunt’s empty-netter, from Ang.
Bridgeport finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. Coreau (5-11-1) turned back 36 of the 39 shots he faced.
Springfield outshot Bridgeport 40-31. It was the Sound Tigers’ sixth straight loss (0-5-1-0) and seventh in a row on the road (0-7-0-0).
Next Time Out: The Sound Tigers return to Webster Bank Arena tomorrow night for a 7 p.m. puck drop against the defending Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers. It’s the middle contest of a three-game weekend series, which concludes on Sunday at 3 p.m. against the North Division’s Laval Rocket. Fans can follow all of the live action via the Sound Tigers Radio Network and AHLTV, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.
Military Appreciation Weekend: The Sound Tigers return home this Saturday and Sunday for Military Appreciation Weekend, presented by the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut and other community partners. Saturday’s 7 p.m. features a military hat giveaway to the first 2,500 fans and Sunday’s 3 p.m. tilt includes a t-shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 in attendance. All veterans and active duty personnel may receive a free ticket by showing their military ID at the Webster Bank Arena Click It or Ticket Box Office. In addition, the Sound Tigers will wear all-new military-themed jerseys both days, which will be auctioned off to benefit the BBB Foundation. Great seats are still on sale!
About the Bridgeport Islanders
Founded in 2001, the Bridgeport Islanders Hockey Club is the top minor league affiliate of the New York Islanders. Don't miss your chance to take part in the family fun entertainment happening every home game at Webster Bank Arena. For further information on ticket or sponsorship opportunities, call our office at (203) 345-2300 or e-mail info@soundtigers.com. Follow the action all season long via www.soundtigers.com or by “liking” the Sound Tigers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.