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Bridgeport Islanders Triumph Over Penguins for Consecutive Wins

Bridgeport Islanders Triumph Over Penguins for Consecutive Wins
Joey McAuliffe Bridgeport Islanders

The Bridgeport Islanders defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-2 on Saturday, improving to 4-9-1-1 this season. For the first time this year, the Islanders secured consecutive victories.

Although they played the night before, the Islanders came out strong. Liam Foudy created multiple scoring chances early and drew a penalty 70 seconds into the game. Late in the power play, Justin Gill fired a puck to Julien Gauthier, who tipped it past Joel Blomqvist. Gill and Matthew Maggio each earned assists, extending their point streaks to two games.

After the opening goal, the Penguins increased their pressure and forced three Islanders penalties in the first period. Bridgeport’s penalty kill held firm while Marcus Hogberg made key saves to keep Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scoreless. The Islanders outshot the Penguins 10-7 and entered the first intermission leading 1-0.

Bridgeport extended its lead early in the second period. Chris Terry nearly scored on a redirection, but Brian Pinho struck moments later. Pinho’s shot from the slot beat Blomqvist’s glove side, making it 2-0.

Momentum shifted during a Bridgeport power play as sloppy puck management allowed the Penguins to capitalize. Jagger Joshua found Raivis Ansons in the slot, who buried the puck past Hogberg to cut the lead to 2-1.

Late in the second period, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton applied heavy pressure, testing Hogberg with several quality chances. Boris Katchouk appeared to tie the game, but his goal was disallowed for being batted in with his glove. Despite the onslaught, the Islanders entered the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Early in the third period, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied the game. Tristian Broz fired a shot through a screen, evening the score at 2-2. Fatigue became evident as the Islanders, playing on consecutive nights, struggled to match the Penguins’ pace. Hogberg stood tall, making critical saves to keep the game tied.

With ten minutes remaining, the Islanders killed another penalty, maintaining their perfect penalty-kill record for the weekend. The successful kill shifted momentum back to Bridgeport. Foudy redirected a Terry shot into the net on a delayed penalty sequence, restoring Bridgeport’s lead with 6:30 left.

Shortly after, the Penguins took another penalty, giving the Islanders a chance to extend their lead. Although Bridgeport didn’t score on the power play, they applied consistent pressure, keeping Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on their heels. Foudy generated a breakaway with two minutes left, forcing Mac Hollowell into a slashing penalty.

A high-sticking penalty by Wyatt Newpower evened the skater count at four-on-four with 1:46 remaining. Despite this setback, Pinho won the ensuing faceoff. The Islanders moved the puck up the ice, where Cole Bardreau buried a shot into the empty net, making it 4-2. Moments later, Bardreau added another empty-net goal after an unselfish pass from Pinho.

The game’s three stars went to Foudy, Gauthier, and Pinho for their outstanding performances. The Islanders return to action on Friday, Nov. 22, facing the Penguins again. Fans can watch the 7:05 p.m. game live on FloHockey.tv.

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