Sound Tigers Travel to Providence for Season Opener
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers season opener is upon us. The Sound Tigers are celebrating their 20th season in one of the most interesting ways possible- with no fans, playing 24 games, and only playing two teams. Tonight commences that season as they visit the Providence Bruins in their temporary home at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, MA.
It will be the first meeting of the season between the Sound Tigers and the Bruins. Providence will play 26 games this season, as an extra two games against the Utica Comets were added.
Last season, the Sound Tigers went 4-5 against the Bruins and will be meeting them 12 times this year. In the last meeting between the two, Providence won 3-2 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Feb. 17. The last time the Sound Tigers played was 332 days ago when the Sound Tigers beat the Toronto Marlies at Webster Bank Arena.
The Sound Tigers and Bruins rosters both look drastically different from last season. Providence returns their captain in Paul Carey, while as of now, Bridgeport has yet to name a new captain.
Players to Watch
For the Sound Tigers, someone that is going to be heavily leaned on is Samuel Bolduc. Bolduc was highly touted by Barry Trotz during Islanders training camp, and Sound Tigers Head Coach Brent Thompson was also impressed with the rookie. Bolduc was noted as saying that Johnny Boychuk had mentored him during the Islanders training camp.
For Providence, Bruins prospect Jakub Lauko will be playing his second season in the AHL. The highly-touted Lauko scored nine points in 22 games last season and played 25 games this season in the Czech League prior to North American training camps opening up.
The Goaltending Matchup
The Providence Bruins will likely have University of Maine alum Jeremy Swayman in goal as Dan Vladar is on the Boston Bruins’ taxi squad. Don’t be surprised, however, if veteran netminder Callum Booth gets the start.
For Bridgeport, Jakub Skarek will most likely get the start for the Sound Tigers, as he presumably takes the starting role for Brent Thompson.
The first game of the 20th season of Bridgeport Sound Tigers season is upon us as the puck drops from Marlborough, MA at 1 P.M. on Friday.
A Native of Danbury, CT. Christian is one of the longest tenured Drive4Five writers, Christian Gardecki began writing for Drive4five In May of 2017. Christian covers Minor League Hockey and the Bridgeport Islanders for Drive4Five. Outside of Drive4Five, Christian was the captain of his High School Hockey team and currently attends Hofstra University with a major in journalism. Christian was the play by play broadcaster for the Danbury Westerners summer collegiate baseball team during their 2021 NECBL Championship. Christian also was the Public Address Announcer for the Danbury Hat Tricks Minor Pro Hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League and NAHL Junior team from 2019-21.
