The Bridgeport Sound Tigers season has begun, but is not off to a great start. After four games, the Sound Tigers are 1-2-1. Even though it is early, is it time to be concerned?
Who was good?
Travis St. Denis looked really strong going up and down the ice, making some nice plays. Although his size isn’t the biggest, he uses his speed to make up for the size. He had two goals in the two-game set vs Rochester. Michael Dal Colle is in a make-or-break year for himself. Dal Colle has one goal and four assists to start the year. Kieffer Bellows is off to a really strong start to his pro career, so expect him to be up with the Islanders soon. The power-play has looked solid with 6 PPGs in 4 games to start the year.

Who Wasn’t Good?
Chris Gibson didn’t look like his normal self in the two games he has played in, giving up nine goals in both games combined. Just like the Islanders at the NHL level, the defense for the Sound Tigers has been a liability. They have trouble clearing out the front of the net, and Brett Thompson’s club lacks a sound structure.
What is going on?
One thing that hasn’t been good for Bridgeport is production in the final two periods. During the two opening weekend games, they had combined for 19 shots in the second and third period. They also had nine shots in the final two periods against Hershey. Obviously, something is not clicking with the offense. One line that has looked good is the MDC-CoJo-JHS line, so expect some call-ups from that line going forward.
Prospect Update:
Islanders 2018 2nd Round Pick Ruslan Iskhakov was involved in a scary incident on Tuesday Night. Iskhakov plays for UConn and was playing in a game vs Quinnipiac when he received a pass at the blue line. QU’s Brogan Rafferty, who has a 5-inch height advantage on Iskhakov, came full speed at Iskhakov and knocked him out cold. Rafferty was hit with a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. I was at the game, and the place was silent. It truly was the hardest hit I’ve ever seen in person. Iskhakov was taken off the ice on a stretcher.
Former Sound Tigers Radio Voice and current Quinnipiac Broadcaster Phil Giubileo said this to us about the hit: “I’ve called lots of games and plenty of big hits, but that was one of the hardest open-ice hits I’ve ever seen in person. And I’ve never heard a building so silent as they were attending to Iskhakov.” Islanders scouts were also in attendance during this game. Iskhakov was taken to a local hospital and released on Wednesday. The Huskies put out a release on the situation and said: “Iskhakov has returned to the school’s campus in Storrs, Conn., and will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis. There is no timetable for his return.”
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Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for our first Meet and Greet Interview of the season coming soon!