The Bridgeport Report: Week 20
Mar 7, 2023The Bridgeport Islanders (25-22-7-1), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, kicked off March with a 2-1-0-0 record in a three-game week, defeating the Providence Bruins and Springfield Thunderbirds at Total Mortgage Arena. Ruslan Iskhakov led the team with three points (1-2--3) while Jakub Skarek (10-12-3) recorded two wins, including his second shutout of the season.
The Islanders remain in a deadlock with Hartford (58 points) for sixth place in the Atlantic Division standings, with both teams having 17 games left and four of those coming against one another.
Bridgeport started slow on Thursday against Providence, allowing a power-play goal just 1:08 into the game before netting seven unanswered to take home a 7-1 win. Paul Thompson, Andy Andreoff (twice), Jeff Kubiak, Blade Jenkins, Samuel Bolduc, and Iskhakov all lit the lamp while Skarek made 25 saves in his ninth win of the season. Bridgeport went 1-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the kill in a game with 58 combined penalty minutes.
The Islanders got a wakeup call on Saturday night in a 9-0 loss to the Wolf Pack. Cory Schneider (15-7-3) was pegged with the loss, making 18 saves on 23 shots while Skarek allowed four on the same number of shots faced. Bridgeport struggled on the penalty kill, allowing three scores on four opportunities.
Bridgeport took out their frustrations on the T-Birds the next afternoon, skating to a 3-0 win in a tight game. Arnaud Durandeau netted the game winner 3:28 into the third before Cole Bardreau iced the victory with two empty-net goals in the final 90 seconds. Skarek earned his second shutout of the season, getting the best of AHL Player of the Week Joel Hofer with 33 saves. The Islanders failed to score on their four power play chances, but snuffed Springfield’s three man-advantage opportunities.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday 3/8, Friday 3/10, and Saturday 3/11 at Charlotte: The Islanders face the Charlotte Checkers three times in four days on the road this week. The Florida Panthers’ affiliate has the edge in the season series to date, holding the Islanders to a 1-2-0-0 home record in three games. Dennis Cholowski and William Dufour have three assists each against the Checkers this season.
Ice Chips
Rookie Race: William Dufour and Ruslan Iskhakov are both having notable seasons during their first stints in the AHL. Iskhakov (14-29—43) is currently tied for first among all rookies in points, while Dufour (19-17—37) sits 11th. Both players made a strong case for Rookie of the Month in February, recording nine points apiece.
Century Mark: Paul LaDue played his 100th game with Bridgeport on Thursday. The veteran defenseman has recorded 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) during his tenure and is 10 away from 100 in his AHL career... Blade Jenkins and Reece Newkirk recorded their 100th professional appearances in the 7-1 blowout win.
Quick Hits: The Islanders have the third best power play in the AHL with a 23.4% conversion rate... Chris Terry is 11th in the league in points (17-35—52)… Cory Schneider ranks fifth among AHL goaltenders with a .917 save percentage.
Team Leaders
Goals: Andy Andreoff (23)
Assists: Chris Terry (35)
Points: Chris Terry (52)
Shots: Chris Terry (171)
Plus/Minus: Parker Wotherspoon* (+12)
Penalty Minutes: Seth Helgeson (105)
Power-Play Goals: Andy Andreoff (9)
Wins: Cory Schneider (15)